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Black Forest Trifle for Christmas Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 71 reviews

A festive and indulgent Black Forest Trifle perfect for Christmas celebrations, featuring layers of rich chocolate cake, creamy vanilla pudding, juicy cherries, and fluffy whipped cream, all topped with dark chocolate shavings.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 1 box of chocolate cake mix (or 1 homemade chocolate cake)

Cream

  • 1 cup heavy cream (for whipping)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cherries

  • 2 cups canned or fresh cherries (pitted, with juice or syrup)
  • 1/4 cup cherry juice (from the canned cherries or fresh)

Pudding

  • 2 cups vanilla pudding (store-bought or homemade)

Toppings

  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate shavings (or grated chocolate)
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bake the Chocolate Cake: Follow the instructions on the cake mix box or your homemade cake recipe to bake the chocolate cake. Once baked, allow it to cool completely before proceeding to the next step.
  2. Cut the Cake into Cubes: After cooling, cut the chocolate cake into approximately 1-inch bite-sized cubes for easy layering in the trifle dish.
  3. Whip the Cream: In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream together with powdered sugar and vanilla extract using a hand or stand mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
  4. Prepare the Cherries: If using canned cherries, drain them but reserve the juice. For fresh cherries, pit and chop them. Combine the cherries with the juice or syrup in a small bowl and let them marinate.
  5. Assemble the Trifle: Start layering in a large trifle dish or individual glasses: place a layer of chocolate cake cubes at the bottom, gently pressing them into an even base. Spread a layer of vanilla pudding over the cake, then a layer of the marinated cherries with some juice. Follow with a generous layer of whipped cream, smoothing it with a spatula.
  6. Repeat Layers: Continue layering cake cubes, pudding, cherries, and whipped cream until the trifle dish is filled, finishing the final layer with whipped cream.
  7. Decorate the Top: Garnish the top of the trifle with dark chocolate shavings and a few cherries. Optionally, dust with cocoa powder for extra visual appeal.
  8. Chill the Trifle: Refrigerate the assembled trifle for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the layers to set beautifully.

Notes

  • Use store-bought brownies or sponge cake for a quicker alternative to homemade cake.
  • Marinating cherries with their juice enhances their flavor and keeps them juicy.
  • Ensure the cake is fully cooled before assembling to prevent sogginess.
  • The trifle tastes best after a chilling period to allow layers to set and flavors to blend.
  • Optional cocoa powder garnish adds a festive finish and slight chocolate bitterness.

Keywords: Black Forest Trifle, Christmas dessert, chocolate cake trifle, layered trifle recipe, holiday dessert, cherry trifle, whipped cream dessert

Find it online: https://miarosetti.com/black-forest-trifle-for-christmas-recipe/