Introduction

Black Forest Trifle is a festive and delightful twist on the classic Black Forest cake, perfect for Christmas celebrations. Layers of chocolate cake, cherries, vanilla pudding, and whipped cream come together in a beautiful and delicious dessert that’s easy to assemble and sure to impress.

Three tall clear glass dessert cups are filled with layered treats, each cup showing four layers. The bottom layer is smooth and white cream, topped with a crumbly brown layer, then a thick, glossy dark red fruit sauce with whole dark berries. Above this is a large swirl of white whipped cream that holds more dark berries and thin chocolate shavings. Each cup is crowned with a bright red cherry on top. The cups are placed on a warm brown surface with two shiny silver spoons beside them, and the background is softly blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 box of chocolate cake mix (or 1 homemade chocolate cake)
1 cup heavy cream (for whipping)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups canned or fresh cherries (pitted, with juice or syrup)
1/4 cup cherry juice (from the canned cherries or fresh)
2 cups vanilla pudding (store-bought or homemade)
1/2 cup dark chocolate shavings (or grated chocolate)
1 tablespoon cocoa powder (optional for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Bake the chocolate cake according to the instructions on the box or your homemade recipe. Allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, cut the cake into 1-inch bite-sized cubes.
Step 2: In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
Step 3: If using canned cherries, drain them and reserve the juice. If using fresh cherries, pit and chop them. Combine the cherries with their juice or syrup and let them marinate.
Step 4: In a large trifle dish or individual glasses, start by layering chocolate cake cubes to form an even base.
Step 5: Spread a layer of vanilla pudding over the cake, smoothing with a spoon.
Step 6: Add a layer of marinated cherries along with some of their juice, distributing evenly.
Step 7: Top with a generous layer of whipped cream, smoothing carefully with a spatula.
Step 8: Repeat the layers—cake, pudding, cherries, and whipped cream—until the dish is full, finishing with a layer of whipped cream on top.
Step 9: Garnish the surface with dark chocolate shavings and a few cherries. Optionally, dust with cocoa powder for extra decoration.
Step 10: Refrigerate the trifle for at least 3 hours or overnight to let the flavors meld and layers set before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a quicker option, use store-bought brownies or sponge cake instead of baking a cake from scratch.
If fresh cherries are out of season, canned or frozen cherries work perfectly when drained and marinated.
To make this dessert more festive, add a splash of cherry liqueur or kirsch to the cherry juice layer.

Storage

Store the Black Forest Trifle covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. It tastes best served chilled. When ready to serve, you can let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften slightly. Avoid freezing, as the texture may change.

How to Serve

A glass dessert bowl holds a layered trifle with a dark red fruit base, topped with crumbled brown nuts and chunks of white cream. Above this are more rough brown nut pieces mixed with white cream showing slight swirls of red syrup. The entire dessert is crowned with a tall swirl of smooth white cream and garnished with a dark red leaf-shaped decoration. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface, and there are similar bowls blurred in the background with warm ambient lights. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Black Forest Trifle ahead of time?

Yes, this trifle is ideal to prepare a day in advance. Chilling overnight helps the layers blend beautifully and makes serving easier.

Can I use fresh whipped cream instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! Whipping your own cream with powdered sugar and vanilla gives a fresher taste and better texture than most store-bought options.