Description

This Black Forest Trifle for Christmas combines layers of rich chocolate cake, luscious cherry pie filling, creamy chocolate pudding, and whipped cream to create a decadent and festive holiday dessert. With its beautiful presentation and classic flavors inspired by the traditional Black Forest cake, this trifle is perfect for sharing at Christmas gatherings or any special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients called for on the box)

Filling and Cream Layers

2 (21 oz) cans cherry pie filling
1 (3.9 oz) box instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups cold milk
2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (optional for layering)

Garnish

¼ cup dark chocolate shavings or curls
Fresh cherries (optional)
Mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Bake the Cake: Prepare the chocolate cake according to the package instructions, baking it in a 9×13-inch pan. Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely to prevent melting the layers when assembling.
Prepare Chocolate Pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and cold milk until smooth and thickened, about 2 minutes. Set aside to let it fully set.
Whip the Cream: In a separate bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. This will add a sweet and fluffy texture to the dessert layers.
Assemble the Trifle: In a large trifle bowl or glass dish, layer half of the chocolate cake pieces (cut or crumbled into bite-sized pieces). Then add a layer of cherry pie filling, followed by a layer of chocolate pudding. Top this with a layer of whipped cream or whipped topping. Repeat these layers with the remaining ingredients.
Finish and Garnish: End with a final layer of whipped cream spread evenly on top. Decorate with dark chocolate shavings or curls, fresh cherries, and mint leaves for a festive and elegant presentation.
Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the assembled trifle for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set properly before serving.

Notes

You can substitute store-bought chocolate pound cake or brownies for a quicker assembly.
For an adult version, drizzle a splash of cherry liqueur over the cake layers to add an extra holiday flair.
This dessert can be assembled a day ahead and kept refrigerated to save time on the day of your event.
Ensure the cake is completely cooled before layering to maintain the texture of your trifle.