Black Forest Trifle

Layers of chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream—no frosting, no fuss, all flavor.

If you’re looking for a show‑stopping dessert that’s delightfully simple, this Black Forest Trifle is your go-to. It combines the flavors of Black Forest cake—chocolate, cherries, and cream—in easy, no-fuss layers. Once you assemble it, it becomes a beautiful, indulgent treat that vanishes fast.

Why You’ll Love This

• No precise frosting or fancy piping needed—just layer and serve.
• Feeds a crowd—the glass bowl showcases every delicious tier.
• Makes ahead: bake the cake and assemble a day in advance.
• Balanced sweetness: tart cherries cut through the richness of cream and chocolate.

Prep & Cooking Info

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time (cake baking): ~30 minutes (depending on cake mix)
• Total Time: ~1 hour (including cooling & assembly)
• Servings: 10–12
• Course: Dessert
• Cuisine: American / Holiday
• Method: Layered Trifle

Ingredients

• 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus eggs, oil, water as directed)
• 2 cans cherry pie filling (21 oz each)
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 bar dark chocolate (for shaving)
• Optional: maraschino cherries for garnish

Instructions

1. Bake the cake
   Prepare the chocolate cake according to box directions. Let it cool completely, then cut into chunks or cubes.
2. Whip the cream
   In a mixing bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
3. Layer the trifle
   In a large glass bowl or trifle dish, place a layer of cake cubes. Spoon on a generous amount of cherry pie filling. Spread a layer of whipped cream over the cherries.
4. Repeat layers
   Continue layering: cake → cherries → whipped cream until you reach the top of the bowl or use up ingredients.
5. Top & garnish
   Use a grater or vegetable peeler to shave dark chocolate over the top. Add a few maraschino cherries if desired.
6. Chill & serve
   Refrigerate the trifle for at least 2 hours before serving (overnight is even better). Serve chilled.

Tips, Storage & FAQs

• Cool cake fully: Warm cake will melt the whipped cream.
• Glass trifle bowl: Layering looks beautiful and inviting.
• Don’t overwhip: Stop at soft peaks to maintain smooth texture.
• Balance sweetness: If cherry filling is too sweet, stir in a bit of lemon juice.
• Storage: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Freeze? Not recommended—textures change and cream may separate.
• Use store-bought cake? Totally fine—use a premade chocolate cake or brownies.
• Alternative creams: You can replace whipped cream with stabilized whipped topping (like Cool Whip) in a pinch.
• Gluten-free version: Use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix.
• Add a boozy kick: Stir in a splash of kirsch, rum, or cherry liqueur into the cherry filling or cake cubes.

Final Thoughts

This Black Forest Trifle gives you all the drama and decadence of Black Forest cake—with half the effort. The layers soak up flavors beautifully, and it disappears fast. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or whenever you want a dessert that looks magical but is simple to build.

The Goods

Black Forest Trifle

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Make a show-stopping Black Forest Trifle with chocolate cake cubes, cherry pie filling, and whipped cream. Elegant to serve, easy to assemble, and perfect for holiday dessert tables.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Recipes

• 1 box chocolate cake mix plus eggs, oil, water as directed
• 2 cans cherry pie filling 21 oz each
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 bar dark chocolate for shaving
• Optional: maraschino cherries for garnish

Instructions

Bake the cake

• Prepare the chocolate cake according to box directions. Let it cool completely, then cut into chunks or cubes.

Whip the cream

• In a mixing bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.

Layer the trifle

• In a large glass bowl or trifle dish, place a layer of cake cubes. Spoon on a generous amount of cherry pie filling. Spread a layer of whipped cream over the cherries.

Repeat layers

• Continue layering: cake → cherries → whipped cream until you reach the top of the bowl or use up ingredients.

Top & garnish

• Use a grater or vegetable peeler to shave dark chocolate over the top. Add a few maraschino cherries if desired.

Chill & serve

• Refrigerate the trifle for at least 2 hours before serving (overnight is even better). Serve chilled.

Notes

Cool cake fully: Warm cake will melt the whipped cream.

Glass trifle bowl: Layering looks beautiful and inviting.

Don’t overwhip: Stop at soft peaks to maintain smooth texture.

Balance sweetness: If cherry filling is too sweet, stir in a bit of lemon juice.

Storage: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Freeze? Not recommended—textures change and cream may separate.

Use store-bought cake? Totally fine—use a premade chocolate cake or brownies.

Alternative creams: You can replace whipped cream with stabilized whipped topping (like Cool Whip) in a pinch.

Gluten-free version: Use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix.

Add a boozy kick: Stir in a splash of kirsch, rum, or cherry liqueur into the cherry filling or cake cubes.