BLACK FOREST TRIFLE

Steps:

• Place 4 C of the milk into a large heavy saucepan.
• Add unsweetened chocolate and heat over medium. Watch carefully until bubbles form around the edges of the pan, then the milk is scalded.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• In a small bowl, put cornstarch, sugar, salt and remaining 1/2 C milk. Use whisk to blend until no lumps remain.
• Gradually stir cornstarch mixture into the hot milk mixture with the whisk.
• Return saucepan to heat and cook over moderately low heat stirring constantly until it begins to boil.
• Boil 1 minute longer and continue to stir.
• Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.
• Spoon 1/3 of the chocolate pudding into a 2 qt souffle dish or glass bowl.
• Top with 1/3 C of the cookie crumbs (or brownie bits).
• Set aside 1/2 C of the cherry pie filling.
• Gently spoon half of the remaining filling over the cookie crumbs in the souffle bowl.
• Repeat layering with another third of the pudding, crumbs and pie filling. End layers with a layer of pudding.
• Spoon remaining cookie crumbs around the edges only of the dish to form a border. (You can place a small bowl in the center so no crumbs make their way into the middle.
• Place the remaining cherry pie filling in the center.
• Refrigerate covered and chill 5 - 6 hours.