Christmas is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, you’re probably on the hunt for that perfect dessert that says “festive” without requiring you to spend the whole day slaving in the kitchen. This easy Black Forest Trifle for Christmas comes together in about 30 minutes and is a no-bake treat that your family will love! It’s a delightful mix of chocolate cake, whipped cream, and cherries, making it a festive crowd-pleaser. Best of all, you can easily switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” treat for any leftover goodies!
Ingredient Breakdown
To create this beautiful and tasty trifle, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. Trust me, they’ll make all the difference!
Chocolate Cake Mix
A box of chocolate cake mix lends itself perfectly to this recipe, saving you time and effort! However, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can always whip up a homemade chocolate cake. I prefer using a box mix for the convenience, and it really is going to give you the best texture and flavor for a busy holiday season. You can also use leftover cake if you happen to have some on hand!
Heavy Cream
For whipping! You’ll need 1 cup of heavy cream for the luscious whipped topping. Heavy cream is going to be essential for achieving that rich and creamy texture. You could use a dairy-free alternative, like coconut cream, if you want to make this dairy-free!
Powdered Sugar
Adding 1/2 cup of powdered sugar to your heavy cream provides just the right sweetness and helps stabilize the whipped cream. If you’re out of powdered sugar, you can blend regular sugar in a spice grinder to achieve that fine texture. You can even reduce the sugar if you’re watching your sweetness.
Vanilla Extract
A teaspoon of vanilla extract adds incredible flavor and complements the chocolate and cherries beautifully. I like to use pure vanilla extract, as it really enhances the flavors in this dessert. If you don’t have any, vanilla sugar can also work in a pinch!
Cherries
You’ll need 2 cups of cherries. You can use canned cherries for ease, just make sure they’re pitted and ready to go! Fresh or frozen cherries work well too, so if you have any leftover from summer, toss them in! They should be juicy and sweet, providing that characteristic Black Forest flavor.
Cherry Juice
A touch of 1/4 cup cherry juice, whether from the canned cherries or fresh is going to add even more cherry flavor to the mix. It’s a key element in the trifle that helps enhance the overall taste experience. If you don’t have cherry juice, you can substitute with a splash of pomegranate juice.
Vanilla Pudding
Two cups of vanilla pudding, whether store-bought or homemade, adds a luscious layer and can be made ahead of time, which is super helpful during the busy holiday season. You can also use chocolate pudding if you want an extra chocolate kick!
Dark Chocolate Shavings
For that rich flavor, sprinkle 1/2 cup of dark chocolate shavings or grated chocolate on top! This adds an elegant touch to your trifle. If you don’t have dark chocolate, semi-sweet or even milk chocolate will work just fine. You can also skip the chocolate entirely if you’re keeping it simple.
Cocoa Powder (Optional for Garnish)
A sprinkle of 1 tablespoon cocoa powder on top is optional but adds a nice, final touch for that visual appeal. It’s optional, but it gives it a gorgeous presentation that’s sure to impress your guests!
Let’s Get Cooking!
With our ingredients ready and waiting, it’s time to make this delightful Black Forest Trifle for Christmas!
1. Prepare the Cake
Begin by baking your chocolate cake following the instructions on the box or your own recipe. Let it cool completely. This is important, as you don’t want warm cake crumbling into your beautiful layering. If you’re using leftover cake, just crumble a layer to make this process easier.
2. Whip the Cream
Next, grab a mixing bowl and pour in 1 cup of heavy cream. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the cream until it begins to thicken, then gradually add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Keep beating until you achieve stiff peaks. (Hint: When you lift the whisk out of the mixture, the cream should hold its shape without falling over.) Trust me, there’s frankly nothing better than freshly whipped cream, and the smell oh wow, it’s incredible!
3. Prepare the Cherries
If you’re using canned cherries, drain a bit of the juice to get 1/4 cup cherry juice. If you’re using fresh, just pit and slice them up! You’ll want your cherries to look beautiful in the trifle, so keep them whole or halved. Toss them in a bowl and mix in the cherry juice, letting them soak up that sweet flavor while you prep the pudding.
4. Assemble the Trifle
Grab your trifle dish or a big glass bowl (or even individual cups to make it personal and cute). Start with a layer of cake at the bottom, then spoon over a layer of the cherries (with some of that lovely juice!), followed by a layer of vanilla pudding, and then a layer of the whipped cream. Repeat this layering until you’re out of your ingredients, finishing with a fluffy layer of whipped cream on top!
5. Let it Chill
Pop your trifle into the fridge for at least 2 hours (or overnight if you can!) to let all those flavors meld together. It’s hard to wait trust me, I know! But the chill time is magic, allowing the cake to soak up those cherry juices. Your patience will be rewarded!
Why I Love This Recipe
Now, let me tell you this Black Forest Trifle is my go-to recipe for holiday gatherings! It’s totally my favorite way to indulge in comfort food that’s simple yet OH so delicious. I’m a real sucker for desserts that are both beautiful and easy. It just makes hosting feel more manageable, you know? My family absolutely adores it, and honestly, it’s easy to customize based on what you have on hand! The best part is seeing everyone’s faces light up when they dig into this chocolatey, creamy delight!
If you loved this Black Forest Trifle for Christmas, be sure to check out my Air Fryer Cherry Turnovers, my Pumpkin Dump Cake, or my Chewy Maple Cinnamon Cookies with White Chocolate!
Why This Recipe Works
Comfort Food
This trifle is pure comfort! Each bite is loaded with tons of flavor, and the combination of chocolate, cherries, and creamy textures is just irresistible. It’s like a warm holiday hug!
Make-Ahead Friendly
The Black Forest Trifle is perfect for meal prep during the busy holiday season; you can get it assembled a day ahead of time. This means less stress and more time to relax with your family.
Customizable Layers
Feel free to get creative with this trifle! Swapping out ingredients is super easy. You can use different cake flavors like vanilla or red velvet or even different fruits such as strawberries or raspberries. The cherry juice can be replaced with another fruit juice, and you can even use different types of pudding!
Crowd-Pleaser
This dessert is a showstopper! It looks impressive and tastes divine, making it a hit for family gatherings and holiday parties. It’s a real crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters enjoy!
Serving & Storage Tips
How to Serve This Trifle
Serve your Black Forest Trifle chilled, in big beautiful spoonfuls. I enjoy layering it individually in cups for a personal touch, but feel free to serve it right from your trifle bowl! You can also sprinkle additional chocolate shavings or extra cherries on top for that extra flair!
Keeping Leftovers Fresh
This trifle keeps well in the refrigerator, thanks to the layers. You can comfortably store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Just note that the longer it sits, the more the cake may soak up the cherry juice, so if you like it extra creamy, make sure to enjoy it sooner rather than later!
Reheating Instructions
There’s no need to reheat the trifle; it’s best enjoyed chilled. Just scoop out what you want and dig in!
Freezer Friendly?
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend freezing this trifle. The whipped cream and pudding don’t fare well once thawed. However! The components can be prepped ahead, freeze the cake and cherries separately, then assemble when you’re ready to serve!
Now it’s time to embrace the festive season! This Black Forest Trifle for Christmas promises nearly effortless indulgence, delicious flavors, and a burst of holiday cheer that your family will truly appreciate. Cheers to a wonderful holiday dessert everyone loves!
Whether you’re meal prepping for a busy week or whipping up something special for Christmas, this recipe is truly a gem! Happy cooking, everyone!
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Black Forest Trifle
Ingredients
Method
- Bake the chocolate cake according to the package instructions or your own recipe and let it cool completely.
- In a mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of heavy cream until thickening, then gradually add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Prepare the cherries by draining canned ones for juice or pitting and slicing fresh ones, mixing them with 1/4 cup of cherry juice.
- In a trifle dish, start layering with crumbled chocolate cake, then add a layer of cherries with juice, followed by a layer of vanilla pudding, and then the whipped cream. Repeat until all ingredients are used, finishing with whipped cream on top.
- Cover and refrigerate the assembled trifle for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.