Strawberry Zinfandel Trifle

Ingredients

•  Christmas Sweets 
• Food Bank

1 1/2 cups dry red Zinfandel

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 quart sliced strawberries

1 plain or lemon-flavored pound cake (1 lb.)

2 cups whipping cream

A few whole strawberries, rinsed

Preparation

1. In a 3- to 4-quart pan over high heat,  1/3 cup sugar to a boil. Boil until reduced to 1 cup, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and sliced strawberries. Let cool about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

2. Cut cake into 1/2-inch-thick slices, then into 1 1/2- by 2-inch pieces.

3. In a bowl, with a mixer on high, beat cream and remaining sugar until soft peaks form.

4. Arrange a third of the cake in the bottom of a 2 1/2- to 3-quart straight-sided glass dish. Spoon a third of the sliced berries and wine over the top. Spread about a third of the whipped cream over berries. Repeat layers twice, ending with cream.

5. Cover trifle loosely and chill at least 2 hours or up to 1 day. Garnish with whole berries. Scoop down into layers to serve.