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Black Forest Trifle for Christmas Recipe

Black Forest Trifle for Christmas Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 25 reviews

This Black Forest Trifle is a festive and indulgent dessert perfect for Christmas celebrations. Layers of moist chocolate cake, creamy vanilla pudding, juicy cherries, and fluffy whipped cream come together beautifully, topped with rich dark chocolate shavings. Chilled to meld the flavors, this trifle offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes that capture the essence of the classic Black Forest cake in a simple, elegant trifle format.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Cake Layer

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

Whipped 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)

Other Layers

  • 2 cups vanilla pudding (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate shavings (or grated chocolate)
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cake: Bake the chocolate cake according to the instructions on the box or use your homemade recipe. Allow the cake to cool completely. Once cooled, cut it into approximately 1-inch bite-sized cubes to make layering easier in your trifle dish.
  2. Whip the Cream: In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together using a hand or stand mixer until stiff peaks form. Set the whipped cream aside for assembly.
  3. Prepare the Cherries: If using canned cherries, drain them but reserve the juice. If fresh, pit and chop the cherries. Combine the cherries with their juice or syrup in a small bowl and let them marinate to enhance flavor.
  4. Assemble the Trifle: Start by layering chocolate cake cubes at the bottom of your trifle dish or individual glasses. Press gently to create an even base. Next, spread a layer of vanilla pudding over the cake cubes, then spoon a layer of marinated cherries along with some of their juice evenly over the pudding. Follow by adding a generous layer of whipped cream, smoothing it gently. Repeat these layers—cake, pudding, cherries, and whipped cream—until you fill the dish, finishing with a top layer of whipped cream.
  5. Garnish: Decorate the top layer of whipped cream with dark chocolate shavings and a few cherries for a festive and visually appealing finish. Optionally, sprinkle cocoa powder for an extra chocolatey touch.
  6. Let it Chill: Refrigerate the assembled trifle for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight. This resting time lets the flavors meld beautifully and ensures the layers set perfectly for serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh cherries when in season for the best flavor, or canned cherries with their syrup if fresh are not available.
  • For a quicker dessert, substitute the chocolate cake with store-bought brownies or sponge cake.
  • Ensure the chocolate cake is fully cooled before cutting to avoid it crumbling apart during assembly.
  • Whip the cream just until stiff peaks form to maintain the perfect texture without overbeating.
  • This trifle can be prepared a day in advance, making it perfect for holiday entertaining.
  • Optional cocoa powder sprinkled on top provides a rich finish and improved presentation.

Nutrition

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

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