Black Forest Trifle for Christmas Recipe
A delightful Black Forest Trifle perfect for Christmas celebrations, featuring layers of moist chocolate cake, creamy vanilla pudding, juicy cherries, and fluffy whipped cream, topped with rich dark chocolate shavings for a festive treat.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Western
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Cake Base
- 1 box of chocolate cake mix (or 1 homemade chocolate cake)
Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cherries
- 2 cups canned or fresh cherries (pitted, with juice or syrup)
- 1/4 cup cherry juice (from the canned cherries or fresh)
Pudding Layer
- 2 cups vanilla pudding (store-bought or homemade)
Toppings
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate shavings (or grated chocolate)
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Bake the chocolate cake according to the instructions on the box or your homemade recipe. Allow it to cool completely, then cut into 1-inch bite-sized cubes for layering.
- Whip the Cream: In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Use a hand or stand mixer for best results. Set aside.
- Prepare the Cherries: If using canned cherries, drain them while reserving the juice. For fresh cherries, pit and chop them. Combine the cherries with their juice in a small bowl and let them marinate.
- Assemble the Trifle: Start by placing a layer of chocolate cake cubes at the base of a large trifle dish or individual glasses. Press gently to create an even layer. Add a smooth layer of vanilla pudding over the cake, then spoon marinated cherries with some juice evenly on top. Follow with a generous layer of whipped cream, smoothing it with a spatula. Repeat these layers until your dish is filled, finishing with whipped cream on top.
- Garnish: Decorate the surface of the trifle with dark chocolate shavings and a few cherries for a festive look. Optionally, dust cocoa powder over the top for extra flavor and presentation.
- 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 perfectly before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the chocolate cake with store-bought brownies or sponge cake for a quicker preparation.
- For best results, use fresh cherries when in season; otherwise, canned cherries work well.
- Adjust the sweetness by modifying the powdered sugar in the whipped cream according to your preference.
- Prepare the trifle a day in advance to enhance flavor blending and texture setting.
- Cocoa powder garnish is optional but adds a lovely chocolate aroma and appearance.
Keywords: Black Forest Trifle, Christmas dessert, chocolate trifle, layered dessert, holiday treat, whipped cream dessert
