There's something about layers of chocolate, cherries, and cream that just feels like a celebration in your mouth. That’s exactly what makes this Black Forest Trifle Recipe so irresistible—it's an elegant, yet surprisingly easy dessert that’s perfect for sharing with friends and family.

This dessert is shown in a tall clear glass bowl on a glass stand, placed on a white marbled surface. It has six visible layers: starting from the bottom, there is a dark brown crumbly cake layer, then a smooth medium brown chocolate layer, followed by a thin dark red cherry sauce layer, a thick white cream layer, another dark brown crumbly cake layer, and a final medium brown chocolate layer. On top, there is a thick white cream layer spotted with dark brown chocolate shavings, and fresh bright red cherries with green stems sit on the very top. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Black Forest Trifle Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Black Forest Trifle Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Black Forest Trifle Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made countless trifles over the years, but this Black Forest Trifle Recipe always stands out because it’s the perfect balance of rich and fresh. The cherry brandy drizzle adds just the right touch of boozy warmth that makes every spoonful special.

Simple to assemble: You don’t have to be a pro baker to pull this off—it’s layers of easy-to-make components.
Make ahead friendly: Prep it in advance and watch how the flavors meld into something incredible.
Customizable layers: Swap out cherry pie filling or pudding for seasonal varieties or dietary tweaks.
Impressively elegant: It looks like you spent hours on it but tastes like a decadent treat from a fancy bakery.

The image shows a tall glass trifle dish filled with six visible layers. At the bottom, there is a dark chocolate crumb layer with a crumbly texture. Above that, a smooth, light brown chocolate pudding layer sits evenly. Next is a glossy deep red cherry sauce layer with whole cherries visible inside. Above this sits a thick, white creamy layer, topped by another crumbly dark chocolate layer. Above that, there is another chocolate pudding layer, followed by a white whipped cream layer with a soft, fluffy texture on top. The whipped cream is sprinkled lightly with dark chocolate shavings and garnished with a pile of shiny, fresh red cherries with green stems on top. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface with some cherries scattered around and a glass of dark red juice in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each part of this Black Forest Trifle Recipe plays a crucial role — from the moist chocolate cake cubes to the luscious pudding and boozy cherries. Picking quality ingredients makes a big difference, especially the cherries and cream.

Flat lay of a glossy chocolate sheet cake cut into neat cubes, a small white bowl of bright red fresh cherries with stems, a small white bowl filled with glossy cherry pie filling, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of smooth chocolate pudding, a small white bowl of thick cold heavy cream, a small white bowl of fine powdered sugar, a small white bowl of clear cherry liqueur, scattered dark chocolate shavings, and delicate chocolate sprinkles, all 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

Chocolate cake: A sturdy but tender cake works best to soak up the kirsch without turning mushy.
Cherry pie filling: Look for one with whole cherries and syrupy goodness, or make your own if you love fresh flavors.
Kirsch or cherry brandy: Adds that signature Black Forest kick — I also keep cherry juice on hand for an alcohol-free twist.
Chocolate pudding: Smooth and creamy, chocolate pudding bridges the intense flavors and adds a velvety layer.
Whipping cream: Freshly whipped with vanilla and powdered sugar makes all the difference; whipped topping works in a pinch.
Garnishes (fresh cherries, shaved chocolate): They turn this trifle into a showstopper at any gathering.

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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.

Make It Your Way

I love swapping the cherry pie filling for fresh macerated cherries in summer, and sometimes I skip the kirsch for a kid-friendly layered dessert. You can easily make it your own, whether you want to keep it classic or try a new twist.

Variation: Once, I tried layering chocolate mousse instead of pudding for a richer version — it’s absolutely dreamy if you want to indulge!
Dairy-free option: Use coconut whipped cream and dairy-free pudding to make it allergy-friendly.
Seasonal twist: Swap out cherries with raspberries and use raspberry liqueur for a summer-friendly trifle.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Black Forest Trifle Recipe

Step 1: Bake and Cube Your Chocolate Cake

Whether you’re using a boxed mix or my easy homemade chocolate sheet cake, bake it up and let it cool completely before cutting into 1-inch cubes. Firm cubes soak up the kirsch beautifully without falling apart, making this base layer perfect.

Step 2: Prepare Your Chocolate Pudding

Make the pudding as directed on the package or whip up a homemade batch. Once smooth, pop it in the fridge to chill and thicken while you move on to the whipped cream.

Step 3: Whip Up the Cream

In your mixer or with a handheld whisker, combine cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Start slow, then crank it up to medium-high until you see those fluffy stiff peaks forming—like clouds of sweet silk.

Step 4: Layer It All Together

Into a trifle bowl, place half the cake cubes, pressing down gently. Drizzle with half the kirsch (or cherry juice). Spread half the pudding, then the cherry pie filling, and top with whipped cream. Repeat the layers one more time, finishing with a lush layer of whipped cream.

Step 5: Chill and Decorate

Cover your trifle and chill for at least an hour, but overnight is best—it lets the flavors bloom and layers meld perfectly. Just before serving, scatter fresh cherries, sprinkle chocolate shavings, or dust cocoa powder for that final wow factor.

Top Tip

After a few tries, I’ve learned that chilling time is key—it gives the cake time to absorb the kirsch and softens the pudding into a silky layer. Plus, prepping in advance means less stress on the day of your party.

Chill overnight: I find the texture and flavor improve dramatically with extended chilling — it’s worth the wait!
Use cold ingredients: Make sure pudding and cream are well-chilled for thicker whipped cream and better assembly.
Don’t over-soak: Drizzle kirsch sparingly—you want moist layers, not soggy ones.
Lift carefully: When scooping servings out, use a deep spoon to get layers without mixing them up.

How to Serve Black Forest Trifle Recipe

Black Forest Trifle - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always finish mine off with a handful of fresh cherries and a generous sprinkle of dark chocolate shavings. Sometimes I dust cocoa powder or a light layer of icing sugar to add a festive look—it's simple but really amps up the presentation.

Side Dishes

This trifle is dessert enough for me, but if I’m serving at a big meal, I like pairing it with light sides like coffee or a fresh berry salad to keep things balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered the trifle in individual glasses for a beautiful single-serve option. It’s always a hit at dinner parties and makes guests feel extra spoiled.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep any leftover trifle tightly covered in the fridge and it stays fresh and delicious for 2 to 3 days. The layers soften up just a bit but in a good way—like a dreamy chocolate cherry pudding.

Freezing

Freezing isn’t my go-to since the texture of whipped cream changes after thawing, but if you have to, freeze the unassembled cake cubes separately. Assemble fresh for best results.

Reheating

This dessert is best served cold, so reheating isn’t really needed. Just let the chilled trifle sit out for a few minutes at room temperature if it’s been cold from the fridge—this brings out the flavors nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use boxed pudding instead of homemade?

Absolutely! Boxed pudding is a great time-saver and works perfectly in this recipe. Just be sure to prepare it according to the package directions and chill it well before layering to get the best texture.

Can I make this trifle without alcohol?

Definitely. The kirsch or cherry brandy adds a lovely depth, but you can replace it with cherry juice or simply omit it for a kid-friendly, alcohol-free version.

How far in advance can I assemble the trifle?

You can assemble the trifle up to a day ahead and refrigerate it overnight. This actually improves the flavor as the layers meld, making it ideal for parties or busy days.

Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?

Yes! Fresh cherries, pitted and macerated with a little sugar and lemon juice, make a wonderful fresh alternative that brightens up the trifle, especially during cherry season. Just be sure they’re juicy enough to keep the layers moist.

Final Thoughts

I have to say, this Black Forest Trifle Recipe holds a special place in my dessert arsenal because it’s both impressive and approachable. Sharing it feels like gifting a little slice of chocolate cherry heaven. Give it a try—you'll love how simple ingredients come together so beautifully with minimal effort. Trust me, once you’ve tasted it, you’ll be reaching for this recipe again and again.