Description
This Black Forest Trifle is a luscious layered dessert featuring rich chocolate cake, sweet cherry pie filling, smooth chocolate pudding, and fluffy whipped cream, all beautifully garnished with fresh cherries and chocolate accents. Perfect for special occasions or indulgent gatherings, this trifle combines classic flavors with an easy assembly for an impressive dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- One 9×13 chocolate cake or brownie baked according to package or homemade recipe directions
Cherry Layer
- 30 ounces cherry pie filling (approx 2 cups), store bought or homemade
- 4 ounces kirsch or cherry brandy, any cherry liqueur or amaretto, or cherry juice for non-alcoholic version
Pudding
- 2 boxes chocolate pudding (90 grams each), prepared according to directions or homemade
Whipped Cream
- 1 ½ cups cold heavy whipping cream or double cream
- 2-4 tablespoons (15-30 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Or substitute with 3 cups whipped topping, defrosted
Garnishing
- Fresh cherries
- Shaved chocolate
- Chocolate sprinkles
- Icing sugar or cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Bake the chocolate cake according to the package instructions or your homemade recipe. Allow the cake to cool completely, then cut it into 1 inch cubes.
- Make the Pudding: Prepare the chocolate pudding as directed on the package or with your homemade recipe. Let the pudding cool to room temperature.
- Whip the Cream: In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, combine the cold heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Start mixing on low speed, then increase to medium-high as the mixture thickens until stiff peaks form.
- Assemble the Trifle: In a trifle bowl, place half of the cake cubes at the bottom and press down gently. Drizzle half of the kirsch or cherry liqueur over the cake. Add half of the pudding on top, followed by half of the cherry pie filling, and then half of the whipped cream. Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients, finishing with whipped cream on top.
- Chill: Cover the trifle and refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and set.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, decorate the top with fresh cherries, shaved chocolate, chocolate sprinkles, and a dusting of icing sugar or cocoa powder. Serve chilled for the best experience.
Notes
- If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, substitute the kirsch with cherry juice or omit it completely.
- For a quicker dessert, store-bought chocolate pudding and cherry pie filling work perfectly.
- Make sure the cake is completely cooled before assembling to prevent melting the pudding and cream layers.
- Using freshly whipped cream will give a richer flavor but pre-made whipped topping can be a convenient alternative.
- Chilling the trifle overnight enhances the melding of flavors and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
