Description
This Black Forest Trifle for Christmas is a festive, decadent dessert layered with rich chocolate cake, sweet cherries, creamy vanilla pudding, and fluffy whipped cream. Perfect for holiday gatherings, make-ahead entertaining, and anyone who loves a show-stopping Christmas treat.
Ingredients
-
1 box chocolate cake mix (or 1 homemade chocolate cake)
-
1 cup heavy cream
-
1/2 cup powdered sugar
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
2 cups canned or fresh cherries, pitted
-
1/4 cup cherry juice or syrup
-
2 cups vanilla pudding
-
1/2 cup dark chocolate shavings
-
1 tablespoon cocoa powder (optional, garnish)
Instructions
-
Bake the chocolate cake according to package or homemade recipe. Let cool, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
-
In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
-
Prepare cherries by draining (if canned) and mixing with 1/4 cup cherry juice.
-
In a trifle dish, layer chocolate cake cubes, vanilla pudding, cherries with juice, and whipped cream.
-
Repeat layers until the dish is full, finishing with whipped cream on top.
-
Add chocolate shavings and optional cocoa powder for garnish.
-
Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight before serving.
Notes
Brownies can replace chocolate cake for an extra-rich version.
Trifle tastes even better the next day as flavors blend.
Use fresh cherries for a slightly tart flavor, canned for extra sweetness.
Make individual servings in parfait glasses for party-ready desserts.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake Assembly
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 395 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 62 mg