Description
This Christmas Black Forest Trifle is a stunning layered dessert featuring rich chocolate cake, sweet cherries, and fluffy whipped cream. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it serves 12-16 people and can be made 24 hours ahead for stress-free entertaining.
Ingredients
1 chocolate pound cake (16 oz), cut into 1-inch cubes (or homemade chocolate cake)
2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling
3 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
½ cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 oz mascarpone cheese, room temperature (optional)
½ cup chocolate shavings
Fresh cherries with stems for garnish
2 tablespoons cocoa powder for dusting
Instructions
1. Place mixing bowl and beaters in freezer for 15 minutes to chill.
2. Prepare cake by cutting into 1-inch cubes. If using fresh cake, allow to cool completely.
3. In chilled bowl, whip heavy cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form.
4. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
5. If using mascarpone, gently fold into whipped cream until combined.
6. In a 3-4 quart clear trifle bowl, layer one-third of cake cubes along the bottom.
7. Spoon one-third of cherry pie filling over cake layer, spreading to edges.
8. Add one-third of whipped cream over cherries, spreading gently with offset spatula.
9. Repeat layering two more times: cake, cherries, cream.
10. Top with chocolate shavings, fresh cherries, and light dusting of cocoa powder.
11. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably 24 hours before serving.
12. Remove from refrigerator 10 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
For a more stable trifle, add 2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix to whipped cream before whipping.
If cherry pie filling seems too liquidy, drain off some excess syrup to prevent soggy layers.
This trifle tastes even better after 24 hours as the flavors meld together.
Can be made up to 48 hours ahead—add final garnishes just before serving.
For individual servings, use 12-16 small glasses or mason jars instead of a large trifle bowl.
- Prep Time: 30
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake Assembly
- Cuisine: German-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Christmas Black Forest Trifle, holiday dessert, layered trifle, chocolate cherry dessert, make-ahead dessert, Christmas trifle, no-bake dessert