Description
A decadent and visually stunning Black Forest Trifle combining layers of chocolate cake, cherry pie filling, rich chocolate pudding, and fluffy whipped cream, topped with fresh cherries and chocolate garnishes. Perfect for parties and special occasions, this dessert can be made with homemade or store-bought components and chilled overnight for the best flavor melding.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Cake
- One 9x13 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
Chocolate 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
Garnishing
- Fresh cherries
- Shaved chocolate
- Chocolate sprinkles
- Icing sugar or cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Bake the chocolate cake according to package or homemade recipe instructions. Allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, cut the cake into 1 inch cubes.
- Make the Pudding: Prepare the chocolate pudding according to the package directions or using a homemade recipe. Let it cool fully before assembling the trifle.
- Whip the Cream: In a large bowl using a stand mixer with whisk attachment or handheld mixer, combine cold heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Start mixing at low speed, then increase to medium-high when soft peaks form. Whip until stiff peaks form.
- Assemble the Trifle: In a trifle bowl, layer half of the cubed cake, pressing gently. Drizzle half of the kirsch or cherry juice over the cake. Add half of the prepared pudding, then half the cherry pie filling, and half of the whipped cream. Repeat the layers ending with a whipped cream topping.
- Chill: Cover the assembled trifle and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, ideally 4 hours or overnight, to allow flavors to meld and set.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish the top with fresh cherries, shaved chocolate, chocolate sprinkles, and a dusting of icing sugar or cocoa powder. Serve chilled.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute kirsch with cherry juice.
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before cutting to avoid crumbling.
- For quicker preparation, store-bought pudding and cherry pie filling save time without compromising flavor.
- The trifle tastes best when assembled the day before to allow the flavors to meld in the refrigerator.
- Use fresh heavy cream for best texture when whipping; chilled cream whips better.
- You can substitute brownie for the chocolate cake for a fudgier texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
