Black Forest Trifle
This festive Black Forest Trifle layers chocolate cake, cherries, pudding, and whipped cream, making it an ideal dessert for Christmas gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (or 1 homemade chocolate cake)
For the Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream (for whipping)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Layering
- 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
Preparation
- Bake the chocolate cake according to the box or your recipe. Let it cool, then cut it into 1-inch cubes.
- In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
- If using canned cherries, drain some juice into a small bowl and set aside. If fresh, mash a few cherries lightly to make a syrup and mix with the reserved cherry juice.
Assembly
- In a large trifle bowl or individual glasses, layer one-third of the cake cubes, one-third of the cherries with a little cherry juice, one-third of the pudding, and a layer of whipped cream. Repeat two more times to make three layers, finishing with whipped cream on top.
- Sprinkle dark chocolate shavings and a light dusting of cocoa powder if you like.
Chilling
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, so the layers settle and flavors blend.
Notes
Serve cold. Add fresh cherries or chocolate shavings on top just before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2–3 days.