Description
Christmas Black Forest Trifle is a stunning layered dessert featuring rich chocolate cake, luscious whipped cream, juicy cherries, and silky chocolate pudding. It’s a festive showstopper that combines the classic Black Forest flavors in a beautiful trifle form—perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 1 chocolate cake or brownies, cut into cubes
- 2 cups chocolate pudding or custard
- 2 cups whipped cream (or whipped topping)
- 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling or 2 cups fresh cherries (pitted)
- 1/4 cup grated dark chocolate (for garnish)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional, for sweetening whipped cream)
Instructions
- Prepare the chocolate cake or brownies ahead of time and cut them into bite-sized cubes.
- If making homemade whipped cream, beat chilled heavy cream with sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
- In a trifle bowl or large glass dish, start by adding a layer of chocolate cake cubes at the bottom.
- Top the cake layer with a generous spoonful of chocolate pudding, spreading evenly.
- Add a layer of cherry pie filling or fresh cherries on top of the pudding.
- Spoon or pipe a layer of whipped cream over the cherries, smoothing the surface.
- Repeat the layers (cake, pudding, cherries, whipped cream) until the bowl is full, finishing with whipped cream on top.
- Garnish with grated chocolate, a few whole cherries, or festive sprinkles.
- Chill for at least 2 hours before serving to let the flavors blend.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, drizzle the cake layer with cherry juice or Kirsch (cherry liqueur) before layering.
- Use store-bought chocolate cake, pudding, or whipped topping for convenience.
- Can be made a day in advance and kept refrigerated until serving.
- Decorate with chocolate curls, edible glitter, or crushed candy canes for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Layering and Chilling
- Cuisine: German-inspired