Black Forest Trifle for Christmas Recipe
Celebrate Christmas with this decadent Black Forest Trifle, featuring layers of rich chocolate cake, creamy vanilla pudding, juicy cherries, and fluffy whipped cream, topped with dark chocolate shavings for an irresistible holiday dessert.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Western
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 box of chocolate cake mix (or 1 homemade chocolate cake)
Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream (for whipping)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit and Syrup
- 2 cups canned or fresh cherries (pitted, with juice or syrup)
- 1/4 cup cherry juice (from the canned cherries or fresh)
Pudding and Garnish
- 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
- Bake the Chocolate Cake: Prepare the chocolate cake by following the instructions on the box or your homemade recipe. Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely before proceeding. For a quicker option, you can use store-bought brownies or sponge cake.
- Cut the Cake into Cubes: After the cake has cooled, cut it into 1-inch bite-sized cubes to make layering in the trifle dish easier and neater.
- Whip the Cream: In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream together with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This can be achieved using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Set the whipped cream aside for assembly.
- Prepare the Cherries: If using canned cherries, drain them and reserve the juice. For fresh cherries, pit and chop them. Mix the cherries with their juice or syrup in a bowl and let them marinate briefly to enhance the flavor.
- Assemble the Trifle: In a large trifle dish or individual glasses, start by layering the chocolate cake cubes evenly at the bottom. Next, spread a smooth layer of vanilla pudding over the cake. Spoon a generous layer of the marinated cherries and some juice on top of the pudding. Add a thick layer of whipped cream, smoothing it gently with a spatula.
- Repeat Layers: Continue layering by repeating the cake cubes, pudding, cherries, and whipped cream until the trifle dish is filled, finishing with a layer of whipped cream on top.
- Garnish: Decorate the top of the trifle with dark chocolate shavings and a few cherries for an attractive festive appearance. Optionally, dust cocoa powder over the top for extra chocolate flavor.
- Chill the Trifle: Refrigerate the assembled trifle for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the layers to set properly before serving.
Notes
- Use store-bought brownies or sponge cake for a quicker assembly.
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled to prevent melting the whipped cream layers.
- Marinating cherries in their juice amplifies their flavor and moistens the cake layers.
- For homemade vanilla pudding, use your favorite recipe or instant pudding mix as preferred.
- Optional cocoa powder garnish adds a subtle chocolate touch and visual appeal.
- Chilling overnight improves the texture and melds flavors beautifully.
Keywords: Black Forest Trifle, Christmas dessert, layered trifle, chocolate cake dessert, holiday dessert, cherry trifle
