If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s as indulgent as it is beautiful, I can’t recommend my Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe enough. This layered masterpiece brings the nostalgic flavors of the classic Black Forest cake into a fun, casual trifle form that’s super easy to assemble and guaranteed to wow your guests. I absolutely love how the luscious cherry pie filling, rich chocolate cake, silky pudding, and fluffy whipped cream all come together in every bite. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to dessert for any occasion!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Yet Impressive: You don’t need fancy baking skills, but your dessert will look like it took hours.
Layered Flavors & Textures: From soft cake cubes to creamy pudding and juicy cherries, every spoonful is a delight.
Flexible & Customizable: Use store-bought or homemade ingredients, swap liqueur for cherry juice, and still get amazing results.
Perfect Make-Ahead Dessert: Chill it overnight and the flavors develop even more—making your serving day stress-free.

A glass trifle dish holds a layered dessert starting with a dark chocolate crumb base at the bottom, followed by a thick chocolate pudding layer. Above this is a white cream layer with swirls of red cherry sauce, then another dark chocolate crumb layer, and a second thick chocolate pudding layer. The top is covered with glossy cherry sauce and a generous layer of fluffy white whipped cream sprinkled with tiny chocolate shavings. Several fresh cherries with green stems sit on top, adding a shiny red contrast. The dish is on a white marbled surface with a small white bowl of chocolate shavings nearby, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Black Forest Cherry Trifle, Black Forest dessert, cherry trifle recipe, chocolate cherry dessert, layered trifle sweet

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe plays a star role, especially when layered together. I love using high-quality cherries and fresh cream to really elevate the taste. If you’re feeling ambitious, making your chocolate cake and pudding from scratch takes this dessert to the next level, but store-bought options work brilliantly too.

Flat lay of a square of rich chocolate sheet cake cut into cubes, a small pile of glossy fresh red cherries with stems, two small white ceramic bowls—one filled with dark red cherry pie filling and another with smooth chocolate pudding, a small white bowl holding fluffy whipped cream, a few delicate pieces of shaved dark chocolate arranged neatly on the side, a small white bowl with fine powdered sugar, and a small white bowl with golden cherry liqueur—all ingredients fresh and natural, arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Black Forest Cherry Trifle, Black Forest dessert, cherry trifle recipe, chocolate cherry dessert, layered trifle sweet

Chocolate Cake or Brownie: Use a dense chocolate cake or rich brownie as the base—you want something sturdy enough to hold the layers.
Cherry Pie Filling: I like to use tart, juicy cherry pie filling for an authentic Black Forest flavor; homemade or store-bought both work well.
Kirsch or Cherry Liqueur: Adds a boozy cherry kick; swap for cherry juice if you want to keep it non-alcoholic.
Chocolate Pudding: Smooth and creamy pudding ties the layers together perfectly—homemade pudding is my favorite to get extra rich.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Whipped to soft peaks with sugar and vanilla for that light, airy finish.
Powdered Sugar & Vanilla Extract: For sweetening and flavoring the whipped cream.
Fresh Cherries, Shaved Chocolate & Sprinkles: For garnish and an extra pop of color and texture.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I’m a big fan of tweaking recipes to fit the mood or dietary needs, and this Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe invites you to get creative. I often switch up the liqueur or pudding flavors depending on what I have on hand, and it’s always a hit.

Non-Alcoholic Version: When I have kids around or prefer to keep it family-friendly, I simply replace the kirsch with cherry juice and it’s just as delicious.
Vegan Variation: Swap out the cake for a vegan chocolate cake, use dairy-free pudding, and coconut whipped cream to make it plant-based—super tasty!
Different Fruits: Sometimes I add fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries along with the cherries for a berry explosion.

How to Make Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe

Step 1: Bake or Prepare the Chocolate Cake

Whether you’re using a boxed mix, your favorite homemade chocolate cake, or even brownies, bake it according to the recipe’s instructions. Once completely cooled, cutting the cake into 1-inch cubes is key—I find slightly larger cubes hold up better in the trifle layers without getting too mushy.

Step 2: Prepare the Chocolate Pudding

Follow package directions or use your homemade pudding recipe to create a rich, creamy pudding. Let it cool fully—warm pudding will melt your whipped cream and turn the layers into a goopy mess, and nobody wants that!

Step 3: Whip the Cream to Perfection

I love whipping my own cream because you can control the sweetness and flavor. Start by chilling your mixing bowl and whisk—this helps it whip faster and fluffier. Beat on low speed to combine heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla, then increase speed as it thickens until you see stiff peaks. Be careful not to overwhip or you’ll end up with butter!

Step 4: Assemble Your Trifle Layers

Now the fun begins! In your trifle bowl, place half of the chocolate cake cubes evenly across the bottom, pressing down gently to create a solid base. Drizzle half of the kirsch or cherry juice over the cake—this soak makes the layers wonderfully moist. Repeat layering with half the pudding, half the cherry pie filling, and half the whipped cream. Then do it all over again, ending with a thick layer of whipped cream on top.

Step 5: Chill and Garnish

Cover your trifle with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, though I highly recommend chilling it overnight. This resting time lets all the flavors marry beautifully. Right before serving, add fresh cherries, shaved chocolate, or sprinkles on top for that extra wow factor.

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Pro Tips for Making Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe

Chill Ingredients First: I always chill my bowl and whisk before whipping cream—it whips faster and holds peaks better.
Cake Cubes Size Matters: Cutting cake into even 1-inch cubes ensures perfect layering and prevents soggy spots.
Kirsch Soaking: Don’t skip the kirsch drizzle—it adds an authentic cherry brandy touch and keeps the cake moist.
Layer Order: Building the trifle with firm layers minimizes mixing and helps the dessert look gorgeous when served.

How to Serve Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe

A clear glass dessert cup shows a layered cherry chocolate dessert. The bottom layer is dark chocolate pudding with whole cherries visible through the glass. Above this is a mix of cherry sauce and small chunks of dark chocolate cake. On top, there is a thick layer of white whipped cream sprinkled with dark brown chocolate shavings. Two whole cherries, one with a long stem, sit on the whipped cream. A woman's hand holds a spoon digging into the dessert. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with whole cherries and a white cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Black Forest Cherry Trifle, Black Forest dessert, cherry trifle recipe, chocolate cherry dessert, layered trifle sweet

Garnishes

I always reach for fresh cherries because they add a burst of juiciness and pop of color. Shaved dark chocolate sprinkled on top gives a touch of elegance and just the right bit of bitterness to contrast the sweetness. If you’re in a pinch, chocolate sprinkles or a light dusting of cocoa powder or powdered sugar works beautifully too.

Side Dishes

Since this dessert is rich and sweet, I love pairing it with a light side like fresh fruit salad or even a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an extra indulgent treat. A cup of black coffee or espresso also balances the sweetness really well.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered individual trifle jars so guests can enjoy a personal dessert. It’s such a fun presentation and looks stunning with the layers visible through glass. Another time, I served it in a large glass punch bowl and added edible flowers on top for a party centerpiece that was almost too pretty to eat—almost!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover trifle? I cover it tightly with plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated. It stays fresh for up to 3 days, though honestly, it rarely lasts that long in my house. Just make sure to give it a gentle stir before serving to refresh the layers.

Freezing

I don’t usually freeze this trifle because the whipped cream and pudding textures can get a bit grainy after thawing. However, if you’re in a pinch, freeze in airtight containers without garnish—thaw overnight in the fridge and gently stir before serving.

Reheating

This is one dessert best enjoyed cold straight from the fridge, so I don’t recommend reheating. If you want to soften it slightly, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving—perfect for letting flavors bloom and the whipped cream soften just a little.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cherries instead of cherry pie filling?

Absolutely! Fresh cherries add a wonderful burst of natural flavor, but since they’re less sweet and juicier, you might want to macerate them with a little sugar and lemon juice beforehand. Keep in mind, this will change the texture slightly compared to traditional cherry pie filling.
Is kirsch necessary in the Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe?

Kirsch is traditional and adds an authentic cherry brandy flavor, but it’s not mandatory. You can easily substitute cherry juice or another fruit juice to keep it alcohol-free while still enjoying the layered flavor profile.
Can I make this trifle ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, making it the day before allows the layers to meld together and results in an even more flavorful dessert. Just store it covered in the fridge and add fresh garnishes before serving.
What pudding works best in this recipe?

Chocolate pudding is classic here, whether homemade or from a mix. I recommend a smooth, creamy pudding with rich chocolate flavor. Feel free to experiment with dark chocolate pudding for an extra decadent twist.
Can I use store-bought whipped topping instead of fresh whipped cream?

Sure! Store-bought whipped topping works in a pinch and saves some time. Just be aware that fresh whipped cream offers a lighter texture and fresher taste, which I personally prefer for this recipe.

Final Thoughts

I hope this Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe inspires you to try a new kind of dessert that’s both nostalgic and fresh. I still remember the first time I made this for a family gathering—the way everyone’s faces lit up with each spoonful was priceless. There’s something truly special about sharing a dessert that delivers rich chocolate, bright cherries, and creamy textures all in one bite. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and give this a whirl—I promise you’ll love it as much as I do!