Get ready to create the most stunning Christmas dessert that will have everyone talking! This Black Forest Trifle brings all the beloved flavors of classic Black Forest cake—rich chocolate, sweet cherries, and fluffy whipped cream—into an easy-to-assemble layered dessert that’s absolutely show-stopping. Picture gorgeous layers of moist chocolate cake cubes, creamy vanilla pudding, bright red cherries with their juice, and clouds of sweetened whipped cream, all beautifully displayed in a clear trifle dish. Each spoonful delivers the perfect combination of textures and flavors—soft cake soaked with cherry juice, smooth pudding, juicy cherries, and airy whipped cream, all topped with dark chocolate shavings. What makes this recipe perfect for the holidays is that it’s completely make-ahead friendly, so you can prepare it the day before your celebration and let the flavors meld together beautifully in the refrigerator. The result is a dessert that looks incredibly impressive but requires no special baking skills or complicated techniques. Whether you’re hosting Christmas dinner, attending a holiday potluck, or looking for a festive finale to your meal, this Black Forest Trifle is guaranteed to steal the spotlight!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Black Forest Trifle Recipe
- Effortlessly elegant – looks sophisticated but incredibly easy to assemble
- Make-ahead friendly – prepare the day before for stress-free entertaining
- Classic flavors – chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream in perfect harmony
- Stunning presentation – clear glass layers showcase the festive colors
- Serves a crowd – perfect for large holiday gatherings
- No frosting required – easier than traditional layered cakes
If you love impressive holiday desserts, you’ll also want to try our Sugar Cookie Cheesecake and Strawberry Cheesecake Crunch Bites.
What You Need for Black Forest Trifle
Essential Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (or 1 homemade chocolate cake) – foundation of the trifle
- 1 cup heavy cream – for fresh whipped cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar – sweetens the whipped cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – enhances flavor
- 2 cups canned or fresh cherries, pitted – with juice or syrup
- 1/4 cup cherry juice – soaks into cake for extra moisture
- 2 cups vanilla pudding – store-bought or homemade works great
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate shavings – or grated chocolate for topping
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (optional) – for garnish
How to Make Black Forest Trifle (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Preparing the Chocolate Cake
- Bake the cake (30-35 minutes): Prepare chocolate cake according to package directions or your favorite recipe. Let cool completely.
- Cut into cubes (5 minutes): Once cooled, cut cake into 1-inch cubes for easy layering.
Step 2: Making Fresh Whipped Cream
- Whip the cream (5 minutes): In a large bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract with electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
Step 3: Preparing the Cherries
- Prep cherries (3 minutes): If using canned cherries, drain and reserve the juice. If using fresh, pit and chop them. Mix cherries with their juice and let marinate.
Step 4: Assembling the Trifle
- First cake layer (2 minutes): Place a layer of chocolate cake cubes in the bottom of a large trifle dish. Gently press down to create an even base.
- Add pudding (2 minutes): Spread a layer of vanilla pudding over the cake, smoothing with a spoon.
- Layer cherries (2 minutes): Spoon marinated cherries with some juice over the pudding, distributing evenly.
- Add whipped cream (2 minutes): Add a generous layer of whipped cream over the cherries, smoothing gently with spatula.
- Repeat layers (10 minutes): Continue layering—cake, pudding, cherries, whipped cream—until you reach the top of your trifle dish. Finish with whipped cream layer.
- Garnish (3 minutes): Top with dark chocolate shavings and a few whole cherries for decoration.
Step 5: Chilling
- Refrigerate (3+ hours): Cover and chill for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, to let flavors meld and layers set.
Black Forest Trifle
Equipment
- Large glass trifle dish (or individual glasses)
- Electric mixer (hand or stand)
- Large mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Small knife or grater for chocolate
Ingredients
Main Components
- 1 box chocolate cake mix or 1 homemade chocolate cake – can substitute brownies
- 2 cups vanilla pudding store-bought or homemade
- 2 cups canned or fresh cherries pitted, with juice or syrup
- 1/4 cup cherry juice from canned cherries or fresh
Whipped Cream
- 1 cup heavy cream very cold for whipping
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar sweetens whipped cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract enhances flavor
Garnish
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate shavings or grated chocolate for topping
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder optional for garnish
Instructions
- Bake chocolate cake according to package directions or your favorite recipe. Let cool completely, about 1 hour.
- Once cake is completely cooled, cut into 1-inch cubes. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 3-5 minutes. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- If using canned cherries, drain them and reserve the juice. If using fresh cherries, pit and chop them. In a small bowl, mix cherries with their juice and set aside to marinate.
- Begin assembly: Place a layer of chocolate cake cubes in the bottom of a large trifle dish or individual serving glasses. Gently press down to create an even base layer.
- Spread a layer of vanilla pudding over the cake, smoothing it out with a spoon or spatula.
- Spoon a layer of marinated cherries (along with some juice) over the pudding, distributing evenly.
- Add a generous layer of whipped cream over the cherries, smoothing gently with a spatula.
- Repeat the layers: cake cubes, pudding, cherries, and whipped cream, continuing until you reach the top of your trifle dish. Finish with a layer of whipped cream on top.
- Garnish the top with dark chocolate shavings or grated chocolate and a few whole cherries for decoration. Optionally dust with cocoa powder.
- Cover trifle dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to meld and layers to set.
- Serve chilled, scooping down through all layers to get each component in every serving.
Notes
Expert Tips for the Best Black Forest Trifle
- Use fresh whipped cream – whip cream just before assembling for best texture and stability
- Don’t skip chilling time – at least 3 hours allows flavors to develop and layers to set properly
- Marinate the cherries – letting cherries sit in their juice adds moisture to cake layers
- Layer evenly – distribute ingredients evenly for the best presentation when serving
- Use quality chocolate – dark chocolate shavings add sophisticated flavor and beautiful contrast
How to Store and Serve Black Forest Trifle
Storage: Cover trifle dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days. The whipped cream will soften slightly but still tastes delicious.
Serving: Present the trifle in its glass dish so everyone can admire the beautiful layers. Use a large spoon to serve, scooping down through all layers. For elegant individual servings, assemble in small glass cups or mason jars.
Pairing suggestions: Serve with hot coffee, espresso, or hot chocolate to balance the sweetness. A glass of dessert wine like Port pairs beautifully for adult gatherings.
Black Forest Trifle Recipe Variations You’ll Love
- Adult Version – add 2 tablespoons kirsch (cherry liqueur) to the cherry mixture for traditional Black Forest flavor
- Raspberry Twist – substitute half the cherries with fresh raspberries for tangy contrast
- Chocolate Lovers – use chocolate pudding instead of vanilla and add chocolate cake chunks between layers
- Almond Black Forest – add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract to whipped cream for nutty flavor
- Vegan Version – use dairy-free whipped cream, dairy-free pudding, and ensure cake is egg-free
For more holiday trifle recipes, check out our Pumpkin Cheesecake Truffles.
FAQ About Black Forest Trifle
Can I make Black Forest Trifle ahead of time?
Yes! This is one of the best make-ahead desserts. Prepare it up to 24 hours in advance and keep refrigerated. The flavors actually improve as they meld together overnight.
Can I use brownies instead of cake?
Absolutely! Brownies make a denser, fudgier base that works beautifully in this trifle. Cut them into 1-inch cubes just like you would with cake.
What if I can’t find fresh cherries?
Canned cherries work perfectly! Choose dark sweet cherries in syrup for the best flavor and color. Frozen cherries work too—just thaw and drain before using.
Final Thoughts on This Black Forest Trifle Recipe
This Black Forest Trifle is the perfect solution when you want all the delicious flavors of classic Black Forest cake without the hassle of baking and frosting multiple layers. The beautiful presentation in a glass trifle dish makes it a stunning centerpiece for your holiday table, while the ease of assembly means you can spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen. The combination of chocolate, cherries, and cream is timeless and beloved by everyone, making this dessert a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Best of all, since it’s made ahead and chilled, you can check it off your to-do list early and simply garnish before serving. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or any special winter occasion, this Black Forest Trifle will add elegance and deliciousness to your celebration. Love this recipe? Save it to your Pinterest boards and follow us on Pinterest for more festive dessert ideas!