Black Forest Trifle with Cherry and Chocolate

Name: Black Forest Trifle with Cherry and Chocolate Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 5 h
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: One 9×13 chocolate cake or brownie (baked according to package or homemade recipe); 30 ounces cherry pie filling (approx 2 cups), store bought or homemade; 4 ounces kirsch or cherry brandy, cherry liqueur, amaretto, or cherry juice for non-alcoholic version; 2 boxes chocolate pudding (90 grams each), prepared according to directions or homemade; 1 ½ cups cold heavy whipping cream or double cream; 2-4 tablespoons (15-30 grams) powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; Fresh cherries; Shaved chocolate; Chocolate sprinkles; Icing sugar or cocoa powder for dusting

There’s something irresistibly indulgent about layers of chocolate, cherries, and creamy goodness coming together in one dish. The Black Forest Trifle with Cherry and Chocolate Recipe is like the dessert version of a warm hug—rich, fruity, and downright comforting. Trust me, it’s a showstopper at any gathering and surprisingly easy to pull together!

This dessert is shown in a tall clear glass bowl on a glass stand, placed on a white marbled surface. It has six visible layers: starting from the bottom, there is a dark brown crumbly cake layer, then a smooth medium brown chocolate layer, followed by a thin dark red cherry sauce layer, a thick white cream layer, another dark brown crumbly cake layer, and a final medium brown chocolate layer. On top, there is a thick white cream layer spotted with dark brown chocolate shavings, and fresh bright red cherries with green stems sit on the very top. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Black Forest Trifle with Cherry and Chocolate Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Black Forest Trifle with Cherry and Chocolate Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Black Forest Trifle with Cherry and Chocolate Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Some desserts look complicated but are really simple to make, and this trifle is absolutely one of them. I love how the layers of chocolate cake, luscious cherry pie filling, creamy pudding, and fluffy whipped cream meld together to give you that classic Black Forest flavor in a casual, fun presentation.

A perfect balance of flavors: The tart cherries cut through the richness of the chocolate and cream beautifully.
Make ahead friendly: You can assemble this trifle hours or even a day before serving, making it stress-free for entertaining.
Customizable layers: Whether you want to tweak the alcohol or swap in your favorite pudding, this recipe adapts easily.
Impressive but simple: It looks fancy enough for special occasions but honestly takes minimal effort.

The image shows a tall glass trifle dish filled with six visible layers. At the bottom, there is a dark chocolate crumb layer with a crumbly texture. Above that, a smooth, light brown chocolate pudding layer sits evenly. Next is a glossy deep red cherry sauce layer with whole cherries visible inside. Above this sits a thick, white creamy layer, topped by another crumbly dark chocolate layer. Above that, there is another chocolate pudding layer, followed by a white whipped cream layer with a soft, fluffy texture on top. The whipped cream is sprinkled lightly with dark chocolate shavings and garnished with a pile of shiny, fresh red cherries with green stems on top. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface with some cherries scattered around and a glass of dark red juice in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a starring role. The chocolate cake provides a moist base, the cherry pie filling delivers that sweet-tart burst, pudding adds a creamy layer, and whipped cream lightens everything up. Choosing quality ingredients, especially fresh cherries and creamy pudding, really makes a difference.

Flat lay of a glossy chocolate sheet cake cut into neat cubes, a small white bowl of bright red fresh cherries with stems, a small white bowl filled with glossy cherry pie filling, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of smooth chocolate pudding, a small white bowl of thick cold heavy cream, a small white bowl of fine powdered sugar, a small white bowl of clear cherry liqueur, scattered dark chocolate shavings, and delicate chocolate sprinkles, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chocolate Cake: Use your favorite recipe or a store-bought mix—homemade adds a lovely personal touch, but convenience works too.
Cherry Pie Filling: Store-bought is perfectly fine, but homemade cherry filling adds freshness and lets you control sweetness.
Kirsch or Cherry Brandy: This classic liqueur amps up the cherry flavor; substitute with cherry juice if you want a kid-friendly or non-alcoholic trifle.
Chocolate Pudding: Creamy pudding provides luscious texture; homemade pudding is lovely but boxed versions save time.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Whipped with powdered sugar and vanilla for a just-sweetened, fluffy top layer.
Fresh Cherries: For garnish—they add a fresh pop and look stunning atop the trifle.
Shaved Chocolate and Sprinkles: These give a gorgeous finishing touch and amplify the chocolate vibe.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to mix things up depending on the occasion. Sometimes I skip the alcohol for family dinners or use locally made cherry preserves instead of pie filling for a homemade flair. You can easily swap chocolate pudding for vanilla if you prefer, or add a splash of espresso powder to enhance the chocolate notes.

Variation: One time I added crushed amaretti cookies between layers for a bit of crunch—it added a delightful texture contrast that everyone loved!
Dietary tweaks: Use dairy-free pudding and coconut cream whipped topping to cater to dairy-free friends.
Seasonal twists: Swap cherries for raspberries or mixed berries in summer for a bright variation.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Black Forest Trifle with Cherry and Chocolate Recipe

Step 1: Bake or Prepare Your Chocolate Cake

I usually bake a simple chocolate sheet cake, letting it cool completely before cubing it into about 1-inch pieces. If you’re pressed for time, a store-bought brownie or cake mix works just as well. Just make sure the cake is fully cooled, so you don’t end up with soggy layers later on.

Step 2: Make or Prepare the Pudding

Next, prepare the chocolate pudding according to package directions or use a homemade pudding recipe. I like to chill it in the fridge so it sets nicely—it should be thick but still spreadable for layering.

Step 3: Whip the Cream Just Right

Using cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, whip until you hit stiff peaks. I start slow to avoid splatters, then crank up the speed once it thickens. Remember not to overwhip—otherwise, you get butter! Stop as soon as stiff peaks hold firm but are still glossy.

Step 4: Layer It All Up

Start by placing half of the chocolate cake cubes at the bottom of your trifle bowl, pressing them gently. Drizzle half the kirsch over the cake for that authentic zing. Then layer half the pudding, followed by half the cherry pie filling, and half the whipped cream. Repeat those layers again, finishing with a thick layer of whipped cream on top.

Step 5: Chill and Garnish

Cover your trifle and pop it into the fridge for at least 1 hour, but overnight is even better as the flavors marry beautifully. Just before serving, garnish with fresh cherries, shaved chocolate, chocolate sprinkles, or a light dusting of cocoa powder for that elegant finish.

Top Tip

Through the many times I’ve made this Black Forest Trifle with Cherry and Chocolate Recipe, I’ve learned a few key tricks to get that perfect texture and immersive flavor you’ll want to dive into.

Cool Your Ingredients: The cake, pudding, and even the whipped cream turn out best when cold, which helps keep the layers distinct and prevents sogginess.
Don’t Skip the Alcohol or Substitute Thoughtfully: The kirsch adds a classic cherry punch, but when omitting alcohol, use a good-quality cherry juice to keep the flavor vibrant.
Layer Gently: Press the cake lightly but firmly to soak up flavors—too much pressing and you’ll end with a dense trifle; too little and it won’t hold together well.
Chill Long Enough: Give your trifle at least an hour to rest so every layer settles and the flavors can mingle—it really makes a difference from first bite to last.

How to Serve Black Forest Trifle with Cherry and Chocolate Recipe

Black Forest trifle - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of topping the trifle with a handful of fresh dark cherries for that pretty pop of color and freshness. I also love adding generous shavings of dark chocolate and a sprinkle of chocolate sprinkles to give a little crunch and extra chocolate punch. A light dusting of icing sugar or cocoa powder finishes it off like a pro.

Side Dishes

This trifle is rich enough to be a dessert star on its own, but if you want to serve something alongside, light options like a fresh green salad or crisp roasted vegetables balance the meal well. For drinks, a cup of black coffee or a cherry-flavored tea complements the flavors wonderfully.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this trifle layered beautifully in individual glass cups or mason jars—everyone loves a personal portion. You could also try layering it in a tall clear vase or a mason jar with a wide mouth for easy scooping and a dramatic visual effect.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always cover leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and store them in the refrigerator. The trifle keeps really well for 2-3 days—just keep in mind that as time passes, the layers will soften even more, so enjoy it sooner rather than later for the best texture.

Freezing

I actually don’t recommend freezing this trifle because the whipped cream and jelly layers don’t hold up well after thawing; they tend to separate or become watery. For best results, make it fresh or store refrigerated.

Reheating

This dessert is best served chilled, so reheating isn’t necessary. If you want to help soften the flavors after chilling, just let the trifle sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving—it brings out the aromas nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Black Forest Trifle with Cherry and Chocolate Recipe without alcohol?

Absolutely! Simply swap the kirsch or cherry brandy for an equal amount of cherry juice or even a splash of cherry syrup. The flavor remains vibrant and kid-friendly.

How far in advance can I assemble the trifle?

You can prepare and assemble the trifle up to 24 hours ahead of serving. Just be sure to cover it tightly and refrigerate. The flavors deepen overnight, making it even more delicious.

Can I use a different pudding flavor in the trifle?

Yes! Vanilla or even cherry-flavored pudding can work well in this recipe to add a new twist while keeping the creamy texture.

What’s the best type of chocolate cake for this trifle?

A moist and tender chocolate sheet cake or brownies work best. Avoid really dense cakes, as they can make the trifle too heavy and less balanced with the light whipped cream.

Final Thoughts

Making this Black Forest Trifle with Cherry and Chocolate Recipe always feels like treating myself and my loved ones to something truly special—even when it’s a casual weekend dessert. It’s the kind of dish that not only satisfies your sweet tooth but also creates cozy, joyful moments around the table. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way

Step-by-Step: How I Make Black Forest Trifle with Cherry and Chocolate Recipe