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Christmas Black Forest Trifle

Christmas Black Forest Trifle

This Christmas Black Forest Trifle layers rich chocolate cake, silky chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and sweet cherry filling for a stunning holiday dessert. It’s festive, indulgent, and shockingly easy to assemble, making it perfect for parties or make-ahead entertaining.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Chill 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, German-inspired
Calories: 360
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Layers:
  • 1 prepared chocolate cake boxed mix or homemade, cut into cubes
  • 1 3.9 oz box chocolate pudding mix + 2 cups cold milk
  • 1 21 oz can cherry pie filling
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Optional: chocolate shavings or curls for topping

Equipment

  • Trifle bowl or deep glass dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Spatula

Method
 

Prepare Pudding
  1. Whisk chocolate pudding mix with cold milk until thickened. Chill for 5 minutes.
Whip the Cream
  1. Beat heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
Assemble the Trifle
  1. In a large trifle bowl, layer:
  2. chocolate cake cubes → chocolate pudding → cherries → whipped cream.
  3. Repeat layers until the bowl is full.
Chill
  1. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
Serve
  1. Top with chocolate curls or extra cherries just before serving.

Notes

• Make ahead: Best when chilled at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.
• Shortcut: Use store-bought pound cake or brownies.
• More cherry flavor: Add a splash of cherry juice between layers.
• Lighter option: Use Cool Whip instead of whipped cream.