Description
This Black Forest Trifle is a luscious layered dessert featuring chocolate cake, cherry pie filling, rich chocolate pudding, and homemade whipped cream. Perfectly balanced with cherry brandy or kirsch, it’s an elegant treat to impress your guests. The trifle is easy to assemble and benefits from chilling overnight for the best melding of flavors, garnished with fresh cherries and chocolate shavings for a classic finish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake
- 1 9x13 chocolate cake or brownie, baked and cooled, cut into 1” cubes
For the Cherry Layer
- 30 ounces cherry pie filling (approx 2 cups), store bought or homemade
- 4 ounces kirsch, cherry brandy, cherry liqueur, amaretto, or cherry juice for non-alcoholic version
For the Pudding
- 2 boxes chocolate pudding (90 grams each), prepared and cooled
For the 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
For Garnishing
- Fresh cherries
- Shaved chocolate
- Chocolate sprinkles
- Icing sugar or cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Bake your chocolate cake or brownies according to package or homemade recipe directions. Allow to cool completely, then cut into 1-inch cubes for layering.
- Make the Pudding: Prepare the chocolate pudding as per box instructions or use a homemade recipe. Let the pudding cool fully before assembling.
- Whip the Cream: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with a whisk, combine cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Start whipping at low speed, then increase to medium-high until stiff peaks form.
- Assemble the Trifle: In a 9-inch trifle bowl, place half of the cubed cake at the bottom, pressing down gently. Drizzle half of the kirsch or cherry liquid over the cake. Layer half of the pudding on top, then spread half of the cherry pie filling, followed by half of the whipped cream. Repeat these layers finishing with whipped cream on top.
- Chill: Cover the trifle and refrigerate for 1 to 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, decorate with fresh cherries, shaved chocolate, chocolate sprinkles, and a dusting of icing sugar or cocoa powder. Serve chilled for the best taste experience.
Notes
- Use cherry juice as a non-alcoholic substitute for kirsch or cherry brandy.
- Ensure the whipped cream is cold before whipping to achieve stiff peaks quickly.
- For a quicker dessert, assemble and serve after 1 hour, but overnight chilling enhances the flavor melding.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days for best freshness.
- Homemade chocolate sheet cake can be used for a richer flavor compared to boxed cake.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 42 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
