If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s as delightful to the eyes as it is to the taste buds, this Black Forest Trifle Recipe is the perfect go-to. Layers of rich devil’s food cake, luscious chocolate pudding, juicy cherry pie filling, and fluffy homemade whipped cream come together to create an irresistible medley of flavors and textures. Whether you’re entertaining a crowd or just treating yourself, this trifle captures the essence of the classic Black Forest cake in a fun and easy-to-assemble format that never fails to impress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t be intimidated by this Black Forest Trifle Recipe — the ingredients are surprisingly straightforward yet essential, each bringing its own magic to the final dessert. From the moist devil’s food cake laying the foundation to the vibrant cherry pie filling adding pops of color and the homemade whipped cream delivering that airy finish, every component plays a delicious part.
- Devil’s food cake mix: Provides a deeply chocolatey, moist base that contrasts wonderfully with the fruit and cream.
- Instant chocolate pudding mix: Adds a creamy, rich mid-layer that enhances the chocolate flavor and softens the cake.
- Half and half: Essential for setting the pudding into a silky texture that holds its shape.
- Cherry pie filling: Brings a sweet-tart burst and beautiful ruby red color to every spoonful.
- Heavy whipping cream: Whipped into fluffy peaks, it lightens the dessert and adds a luscious mouthfeel.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream delicately without overpowering the other layers.
- Pure vanilla extract: Infuses the whipped cream with warm, fragrant notes that perfectly balance the chocolate and cherries.
- Fresh cherries with stems (for garnish): Adds an elegant touch and fresh fruitiness on top.
- Chocolate curls or shavings (for garnish): Offers a beautiful and indulgent finishing detail, enhancing both look and flavor.
How to Make Black Forest Trifle Recipe
Step 1: Bake the Cake Base
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and prepping a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or parchment paper. This simple prep step will ensure your cake lifts out cleanly and stays intact for the layering ahead. Using a devil’s food cake mix, prepare and bake the cake according to the directions on the box. This rich chocolate cake forms the hearty foundation of your trifle, so let it cool thoroughly on a wire rack before moving forward.
Step 2: Whisk Up the Chocolate Pudding
While the cake cools, mix your instant chocolate pudding with half and half according to package instructions, whisking for about two minutes until thick and creamy. Set it aside covered in the refrigerator to chill—cool pudding adds that perfect creamy texture that ties the layers together beautifully.
Step 3: Whip the Cream to Perfection
Next, turn your attention to the whipped cream. Combining cold heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract, beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. This homemade whipped cream is a real showstopper: airy, lightly sweet, and boasting just the right hint of vanilla to complement the chocolate and cherries.
Step 4: Prepare the Cake Cubes
Once the cake is completely cooled, slice it in half across the middle. You only need half for the trifle; the other half can be stored tightly wrapped in plastic and foil in the freezer for another day. Cut the half you’ll use into 1-inch cubes—the bite-sized pieces will soak up pudding and cherries perfectly, creating that signature layered effect.
Step 5: Layer the Trifle
In a large trifle bowl, place an even layer of your cake cubes at the bottom. Spoon half the chocolate pudding over and spread it evenly. Then add one can of cherry pie filling, distributing it so every bite gets a fruity surprise. Top with half the whipped cream, smoothing it gently for an even finish.
Step 6: Repeat Layers for Depth
Reserve half a cup of cherry pie filling from the second can for the garnish. Now, layer the remaining cake cubes, pudding, cherry pie filling, and whipped cream the same way as before. You may have a few leftover cake cubes which you could save for another dessert or a lovely snack!
Step 7: Garnish and Chill
Top the trifle with the reserved cherry pie filling, fresh cherries with stems, and a generous sprinkle of chocolate curls or shavings. Pop your masterpiece in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving. This chilling time lets the layers meld and flavors deepen—patience here truly pays off!
Step 8: Serve and Savor
After chilling, your Black Forest Trifle Recipe is ready to be the star of the show. Scoop out generous portions to showcase those beautiful layers and enjoy the perfect balance of chocolate, cherry, and cream with every spoonful.
How to Serve Black Forest Trifle Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh cherries with stems provide a charming, natural flourish and bring a pop of color, while chocolate curls add an elegant, textural contrast. These little finishing details elevate the dessert, making it look as indulgent as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This trifle shines beautifully on its own but can be paired with simple accompaniments like a cup of freshly brewed coffee or an herbal tea to balance the sweetness. For festive occasions, light vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cherry liqueur on the side deepens the experience.
Creative Ways to Present
While a classic trifle bowl works perfectly, try individual glass jars or stemmed dessert glasses for personal servings that look stunning. Layering the ingredients with care in clear vessels allows the vibrant colors and textures to shine, turning each portion into a mini celebration.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
The trifle keeps well refrigerated for up to three days. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap to protect those delicate whipped cream peaks and to prevent the cake from drying out. By day two, the flavors blend even more beautifully, making leftovers a true treat.
Freezing
Due to the creamy and fruit layers, freezing the assembled trifle is not recommended as the texture of the whipped cream and pudding can change upon thawing. However, you can freeze the leftover half of the cake wrapped tightly for up to three months and use it in future trifles or desserts.
Reheating
This dessert is best enjoyed chilled and does not require reheating. If you prefer a less cold dessert, simply let it sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before serving to soften the pudding layers slightly.
FAQs
Can I use homemade chocolate cake instead of cake mix?
Absolutely! Homemade devil’s food cake will work beautifully and add a personal touch. Just be sure it’s fully cooled before cubing to keep the layers neat and avoid crumbling.
Is it possible to make this dessert dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute half and half with a dairy-free milk like coconut or almond milk and use a dairy-free pudding mix and non-dairy whipped topping. The flavors will still come through wonderfully.
What if I don’t have fresh cherries for garnish?
No worries! You can garnish with maraschino cherries, extra cherry pie filling, or simply finish with more chocolate curls for a rich look and taste.
Can I assemble this trifle in advance? How far ahead?
Yes, assembling it the day before is ideal. The flavors marry well overnight, and chilling for at least two hours is essential. Just cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
How do I prevent the cake from getting soggy?
Cutting the cake into cubes and layering it helps manage moisture. Also, chilling the dessert allows the pudding to thicken and absorb gradually for a perfect balance rather than a soggy texture.
Final Thoughts
This Black Forest Trifle Recipe is a real crowd-pleaser with its layers of luscious chocolate, tangy cherries, and airy cream. It’s a delightful dessert that’s easier to make than you might think and perfect for any occasion when you want to wow your guests or indulge yourself. I truly hope you give it a try and enjoy every spoonful of this decadent, beautiful treat!
Print
Black Forest Trifle Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours (including chilling time)
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Black Forest Trifle is a decadent layered dessert combining moist devil’s food cake, rich chocolate pudding, sweet cherry pie filling, and fluffy homemade whipped cream. Perfect for gatherings, it’s beautifully garnished with fresh cherries and chocolate curls, offering a classic Black Forest cake flavor in a simple, no-bake final assembly.
Ingredients
Cake
- 15.25 ounce devil’s food cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: typically eggs, oil, and water)
Pudding
- 5.9 ounce instant chocolate pudding mix
- 3 cups half and half
Cherry Layers
- 42 ounces cherry pie filling (2 (21 ounce) cans), divided
Whipped Cream
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Garnish
- Fresh cherries with stems
- Chocolate curls or shavings
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Cake Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and clean up.
- Bake the Cake: Prepare the devil’s food cake mix according to the package directions (usually involves eggs, oil, and water). Pour the batter into the prepared dish and bake as directed. Once baked, transfer the cake to a cooling rack and allow it to cool completely.
- Make the Chocolate Pudding: In a large bowl, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and half and half vigorously for about 2 minutes until thickened. Cover and refrigerate the pudding until ready to assemble.
- Make the Whipped Cream: In a chilled bowl, beat the cold heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
- Prepare the Cake Cubes: Once the cake has completely cooled, slice it horizontally in half. Use only half of the cake for this recipe; wrap and freeze the unused half for later. Cut the used half into 1-inch cubes.
- Build the First Layer: In a large trifle bowl, spread an even layer of cake cubes at the bottom. Spoon half of the chocolate pudding over the cake and spread it evenly. Add the first can of cherry pie filling evenly over the pudding, then spread half of the whipped cream on top.
- Build the Second Layer: Reserve ½ cup of the second can of cherry pie filling for topping. Repeat the layering with the remaining cake cubes, the remaining chocolate pudding, the remaining cherry pie filling (except the reserved half cup), and the remaining whipped cream.
- Top and Garnish: Finish by spooning the reserved ½ cup of cherry pie filling on top, then garnish with fresh cherries with stems and sprinkle generously with chocolate curls or shavings.
- Chill: Refrigerate the assembled trifle for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and to chill thoroughly.
- Serve: Serve the chilled trifle to guests and enjoy this rich, layered dessert.
Notes
- You can prepare all components in advance and assemble the trifle just before serving for convenience.
- Use fresh cherries with stems for an attractive garnish and fresh cherry flavor.
- Leftover cake halves can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 2 months.
- Whipped cream is best if made fresh but can be stored in the fridge for up to a day.
- Ensure the pudding is fully chilled and thickened before layering to maintain structure.
