Festive Black Forest Trifle greets the table with warm chocolate and bright cherry flavor. A soft, layered dessert like this feels cozy and special for family nights or holiday gatherings. You’ll make it because it looks beautiful, feeds a crowd, and tastes like a hug—rich cake, tart cherries, and light whipped cream. If you love easy chocolate treats, try our Black Forest Chocolate Chip Cookies for a matching snack while the trifle chills.
Why Make This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Uses a simple cake base and pantry cherries to build layers fast.
- Family Favorite: Kids and adults smile at every spoonful of chocolate and cherry.
- Budget-Friendly: You can use a boxed cake mix or day-old cake to save money.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Build it the day before for less stress at serving time.
This trifle stands out because it mixes warm, dark chocolate with bright, slightly tart cherries. It gives a mix of soft cake, silky custard, and fluffy cream that feels comforting and a little bit festive. It can bring back memories of family desserts or create new ones around the table. Pair it with a savory bite like the Blackberry Balsamic and Brie Grilled Cheese for a contrast that guests love.
Ingredients
For the cake base:
- 1 (9-inch) chocolate cake, baked and cooled (store-bought or homemade) — cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons cherry liqueur or cherry syrup (optional, for soaking)
For the cherries:
- 2 cups pitted cherries (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 1/2 cup cherry pie filling or 1/3 cup sugar + 2 tablespoons water to lightly syrup if using fresh
For the custard:
- 2 cups vanilla pudding or pastry cream (made or instant)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (if making custard)
For the topping:
- 2 cups heavy cream, chilled
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For garnish:
- 1/2 cup chocolate shavings or cocoa nibs
- Fresh mint leaves (optional)
Notes: Use unsalted butter for baking if making the cake from scratch. If you prefer less sugar, reduce the powdered sugar in the whipped cream.
How to Make Festive Black Forest Trifle:
- Prep early: If you bake a cake, preheat the oven as your recipe says and let the cake cool completely before cutting. If using store-bought cake, slice into cubes now.
- Tip: Cooling the cake stops it from turning mushy in the trifle.
- Make the cherry layer: Warm cherries and pie filling in a small pot for 2–3 minutes if using fresh, stir in sugar to taste, and set aside to cool. If using canned pie filling, just spoon it out.
- Why this matters: Warm cherries release juices that soak into the cake and add bright flavor.
- Prepare the custard or pudding: Whisk your vanilla pudding or quick pastry cream until smooth, then chill slightly so it’s spreadable.
- Whip the cream: Beat the chilled heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Keep it cold until assembly.
- Mini-tip: Chill the mixing bowl and beaters for firmer whipped cream.
- Layer the trifle: In a large glass bowl or individual glasses, place a layer of cake cubes. Drizzle lightly with cherry liqueur or syrup. Spread a layer of pudding over the cake, then spoon a layer of cherries. Repeat layers (cake → pudding → cherries) until the dish is about 3/4 full. Finish with a thick layer of whipped cream.
- Why layer order matters: Cake at the bottom so it soaks up juices, pudding holds layers together, cream on top stays fluffy.
- Garnish: Sprinkle chocolate shavings and a few whole cherries on the top. Add mint if you like. Chill the trifle for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to let flavors meld.
- Tip: Chilling helps the cake absorb cherry juices and makes each spoonful silky.
How to Serve Festive Black Forest Trifle
- Serve in a clear glass bowl to show the pretty layers; spoon generous scoops so each person gets cake, cherry, custard, and cream.
- Garnish individual servings with extra chocolate shavings and a mint leaf for a pretty touch.
- Pair with strong coffee or a lightly sweetened black tea to balance the richness.
How to Store Festive Black Forest Trifle
- Refrigerate: Cover the trifle with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will deepen but the cake will soften more each day.
- Freeze: For longer storage, assemble in individual freezer-safe cups, freeze uncovered for 2 hours, then wrap and store up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
- Reheat: This dessert is best cold. Don’t reheat—serve straight from the fridge for the best texture.
Tips to Make Festive Black Forest Trifle
- Use day-old cake for better texture; it soaks up cherry juices without falling apart.
- Keep whipped cream cold until serving so it stays fluffy.
- Taste the cherries and syrup before adding sugar—some canned fillings are very sweet.
- If you want sturdier layers, fold a little stabilized whipped cream (add 1 teaspoon gelatin dissolved) into the topping.
Variation
- Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free chocolate cake or brownies for the base. Ensure any pudding or other packaged items are labeled gluten-free.
- Boozy adult version: Mix 2–3 tablespoons of cherry liqueur or kirsch into the cherry layer and a splash into the cake cubes for a richer adult flavor.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cherries?
Yes. Thaw them first and drain any excess water, then warm them slightly with a touch of sugar to make a neat cherry layer.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Definitely. Make the trifle a day before serving and keep it chilled. The flavors improve overnight, but the cake will soften, so serve within 48 hours for best texture.
Can I skip the alcohol?
Yes. Replace cherry liqueur with cherry syrup, reserved juice from the cherries, or simply use water with a little sugar. The drink is optional and only adds depth.
What if my whipped cream falls flat?
It happens. Chill the bowl and beaters, then whip again. If it’s overwhipped, gently fold in a tablespoon of fresh cream to smooth it out.
Conclusion
This Festive Black Forest Trifle brings warm chocolate, bright cherry, and cool cream together in every spoonful. It’s easy to build, pretty to serve, and perfect for family gatherings or a simple weeknight treat. If you want another take on this classic, see a similar recipe at Black Forest Trifle | Olive & Mango. Please leave a comment and a star rating if you try it—your notes help others. Share this on Pinterest or Facebook to spread a little cozy joy. What twist did you try? Let us know below!
Print
Festive Black Forest Trifle
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A warm and cozy layered dessert featuring chocolate cake, tart cherries, and light whipped cream, perfect for family gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 (9-inch) chocolate cake, baked and cooled (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 2 tablespoons cherry liqueur or cherry syrup (optional, for soaking)
- 2 cups pitted cherries (fresh or thawed frozen)
- 1/2 cup cherry pie filling or 1/3 cup sugar + 2 tablespoons water (if using fresh)
- 2 cups vanilla pudding or pastry cream (made or instant)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (if making custard)
- 2 cups heavy cream, chilled
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chocolate shavings or cocoa nibs
- Fresh mint leaves (optional)
Instructions
- If baking a cake, preheat your oven as per the recipe and let the cake cool completely before cutting into cubes. If using store-bought cake, slice into cubes now.
- Warm cherries and pie filling in a small pot for 2–3 minutes. Stir in sugar to taste and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the custard or pudding by whisking until smooth, then chill slightly so it’s spreadable.
- Beat the chilled heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Keep it cold until ready to assemble.
- In a large glass bowl or individual glasses, layer the cake cubes, drizzle with cherry liqueur or syrup, and spread pudding over it. Spoon on the cherries and repeat the layers until about 3/4 full. Finish with whipped cream.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings and mint if desired. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
Use unsalted butter for baking if making the cake from scratch. Chill mixing bowl and beaters for firmer whipped cream. This dessert is best served cold and not reheated.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Layering
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg