Description
A luscious Black Forest Trifle featuring layers of moist chocolate cake, cherry pie filling, rich chocolate pudding, and fluffy whipped cream, garnished with fresh cherries and chocolate shavings. This no-bake assembly dessert is perfect for parties and special occasions, combining classic Black Forest flavors in an easy-to-make trifle format.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- One 9×13 chocolate cake or brownie (baked according to package or homemade recipe)
Cherry Layer
- 30 ounces cherry pie filling (approximately 2 cups), store bought or homemade
- 4 ounces kirsch or cherry brandy, cherry liqueur, amaretto, or cherry juice for non-alcoholic version
Pudding
- 2 boxes chocolate pudding (90 grams each), prepared according to directions or homemade version
Whipped Cream
- 1½ cups cold heavy whipping cream or double cream
- 2-4 tablespoons (15-30 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Garnish
- Fresh cherries
- Shaved chocolate
- Chocolate sprinkles
- Icing sugar or cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
- Bake the Cake: Prepare the chocolate cake following package directions or your homemade recipe. Allow it to cool completely, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Prepare the Pudding: Make the chocolate pudding as directed on the package or by your homemade recipe. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Make the Whipped Cream: In a large bowl using a stand mixer with a whisk attachment or a handheld mixer, combine cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Start mixing on low speed. Once volume increases and soft peaks form, increase speed to medium-high and whip until stiff peaks form.
- Assemble the Trifle: In a trifle bowl, layer half of the cubed cake at the bottom and press down gently. Drizzle half of the kirsch or cherry liquor over the cake.
- Add Layers: Spoon half of the cooled chocolate pudding over the cake layer, followed by half of the cherry pie filling, then half of the whipped cream. Repeat these layers with the remaining cake cubes, kirsch, pudding, cherries, and top with the remaining whipped cream.
- Chill: Cover the trifle bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and the dessert to set.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish the trifle with fresh cherries, shaved chocolate, chocolate sprinkles, and a light dusting of icing sugar or cocoa powder. Serve chilled.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute kirsch or cherry brandy with cherry juice.
- Using homemade chocolate cake or pudding can enhance freshness and flavor.
- Chilling overnight improves flavor melding and texture.
- You can substitute whipped cream with defrosted whipped topping if preferred.
- Adjust powdered sugar in whipped cream to your desired sweetness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of trifle
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
