Dressing up a basic gingerbread for Christmas

Gingerbread is such an iconic flavor — and aroma — of Christmas, yet it can be a letdown as a dessert for the big day.

It's mostly because a gingerbread — no matter how delicious — is kind of simple for such a day of big celebrations. So we decided to jazz it up a bit, turning your basic gingerbread into a far more festive trifle layered with a rich vanilla pudding and orange-black pepper caramel. For ease, this impressive dessert can be prepped a day ahead. And if you're hitting the road at the holiday, it also travels very well.