Description
A deliciously festive Black Forest Trifle perfect for Christmas, combining layers of moist chocolate cake, creamy vanilla pudding, marinated cherries, and fluffy whipped cream, topped with rich dark chocolate shavings for a stunning and indulgent dessert.
Ingredients
Cake
- 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 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
- Prepare the Cake: Bake the chocolate cake according to the package instructions or your own homemade recipe. Allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, cut the cake into 1-inch bite-sized cubes for easy layering.
- Whip the Cream: In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract using a hand or stand mixer until stiff peaks form. Set this whipped cream aside for layering.
- 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 or syrup in a small bowl and let them marinate to enhance flavor.
- Assemble the Trifle: In a large trifle dish or individual glasses, start with a layer of chocolate cake cubes, pressing gently to form an even base. Spread a layer of vanilla pudding over the cake, followed by a layer of the marinated cherries and some of their juice. Top this with a generous layer of whipped cream, smoothing it evenly. Repeat these layers—cake, pudding, cherries, and whipped cream—until the dish is nearly full. Finish with a final layer of whipped cream.
- Garnish and Chill: Decorate the top of the trifle with dark chocolate shavings and a few whole cherries for an elegant finish. Optionally, dust with cocoa powder. Refrigerate the assembled trifle for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the layers to set perfectly before serving.
Notes
- For a quicker assembly, you can substitute the chocolate cake with store-bought brownies or sponge cake.
- Marinating the cherries enhances their flavor and softens them for better texture in the trifle.
- Use chilled heavy cream for better whipping results.
- This dessert can be prepared a day ahead, making it ideal for holiday planning.
- Leftovers should be covered and refrigerated, best consumed within 2 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
