1/2 (18.25 ounce) box devil's food cake mix
1/2 cup rum
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling

Chocolate Custard
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk

Topping
1 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Prepare cake mix according to package directions; cut into 1/2 inch slices. Line bottom of 2 quart bowl of trifle dish with half of cake slices; sprinkle with 2 to 4 tablespoons rum. Spoon half of cherry pie filling over cake; top with half of chocolate pudding. Repeat procedure with remaining cake, rum, pie filling and custard. Cover and chill. Beat whipping cream until foamy; gradually add confectioners' sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Spread over custard; garnish with almonds.

Chocolate Custard: Combine first 3 ingredients in top of double boiler. Combine eggs and milk, gradually stir into dry mixture. Bring water in double boiler to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook custard, stirring constantly until thick. Cool.

Yield: 10 servings