Description
This Christmas Black Forest Trifle is a stunning holiday dessert that layers rich chocolate cake, sweet cherries, fluffy whipped cream, and chocolate shavings in one beautiful glass bowl. Inspired by the classic Black Forest cake, this version is easier to assemble, no baking required (if using store-bought cake), and perfect for entertaining a crowd. Each spoonful delivers a mix of textures and flavors that feel indulgent and festive — a guaranteed showstopper for your holiday table!
Ingredients
Gather the following ingredients to make your Black Forest Trifle for Christmas:
- 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
Prepare the Cake:
- Bake the Chocolate Cake: Start by baking the chocolate cake according to the instructions on the box (or follow your homemade cake recipe). Let it cool completely before assembling the trifle. If you prefer, you can use store-bought brownies or sponge cake for a quicker option.
- Cut the Cake into Cubes: Once the cake has cooled, cut it into bite-sized cubes, roughly 1-inch in size. This will make it easy to layer in the trifle dish.
Whip the Cream:
- Whip the Cream: In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This can be done with a hand mixer or stand mixer. Set aside.
Prepare the Cherries:
- Prepare the Cherries: If using canned cherries, drain them, reserving the juice. If using fresh cherries, pit and chop them. In a small bowl, mix the cherries with their juice (or syrup) and set aside to marinate.
Assemble the Trifle:
- Layer the Cake: In a large trifle dish or individual serving glasses, begin by placing a layer of chocolate cake cubes at the bottom. Gently press them down to ensure an even base layer.
- Add the Pudding Layer: Next, spread a layer of vanilla pudding over the cake, smoothing it out with a spoon.
- Add the Cherries: Spoon a layer of marinated cherries (along with some juice) over the pudding. Be sure to distribute them evenly.
- Layer the Whipped Cream: Add a generous layer of whipped cream over the cherries, smoothing it out gently with a spatula.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layers, starting with more cake cubes, then pudding, cherries, and whipped cream, until you reach the top of your trifle dish. Finish with a layer of whipped cream.
- Top with Chocolate and Cherries: Garnish the top with chocolate shavings or grated chocolate and a few cherries for decoration.
Let it Chill:
- Chill the Trifle: Refrigerate the trifle for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together and the layers to set.
Notes
Make-ahead friendly: Assemble a day in advance and store covered in the fridge.
Alcohol-free version: Omit the Kirsch — it’s still delicious!
Cake options: Chocolate pound cake, devil’s food cake, or even chocolate muffins work well.
Add crunch: Layer with chocolate cookie crumbles or chopped chocolate for extra texture.
Serving tip: Use individual glasses for mini trifles or mason jars for a cute presentation.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desssert
- Method: No-Bake / Layered
- Cuisine: German-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx., 1/10th of recipe)
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg