Black Forest Cherry Trifle with Chocolate Cake Recipe

If you’re craving a dessert that’s as stunning to look at as it is delicious, I have just the thing for you. This Black Forest Cherry Trifle with Chocolate Cake Recipe is one of my all-time favorites, blending luscious cherry compote, rich chocolate cake, and fluffy stabilized whipped cream into layers of pure joy. Whether you’re making it for a festive gathering or just treating yourself, this recipe brings that classic Black Forest flavor to a whole new level with a fun, easy-to-assemble trifle format. Trust me, you’ll be hooked with every spoonful!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this Black Forest Cherry Trifle with Chocolate Cake Recipe are straightforward but thoughtfully chosen to build layers of flavor and texture. When shopping, look for good-quality chocolate chips and fresh or frozen bing cherries for the most authentic taste.

• Chocolate Cake: A boxed mix is convenient and yields moist, delicious cake perfect for trifles.
• Semi-sweet Mini Chocolate Chips: Mini chips blend better through the layers and melt slightly with the cherry compote.
• Cherries (fresh or frozen): Dark, sweet cherries give that signature Black Forest tartness. Frozen works great if fresh aren’t available.
• Cornstarch: This helps thicken the cherry compote just right without making it gummy.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens up the cherry compote flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness to the compote without overpowering.
• Almond Extract: Essential for that classic Black Forest nuance – don’t skip it!
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances both the compote and whipped cream base.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: For a rich, creamy topping that holds up well.
• Gelatin: This stabilizes the whipped cream so it stays fluffy and holds its shape.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: Smoothly sweetens the whipped cream without graininess.
• Cold Water: Needed to bloom the gelatin properly.

Variations

I love experimenting with this Black Forest Cherry Trifle with Chocolate Cake Recipe by tweaking a few elements here and there. It’s fun to make it your own, whether that means swapping ingredients or adapting for special diets.

• Use Homemade Chocolate Cake: I sometimes bake a scratch chocolate cake for even deeper flavor and less sweetness – works beautifully.
• Make It Vegan: Swap out heavy cream for coconut cream, use a dairy-free cake mix, and gelatin can be replaced with agar agar.
• Fruit Variations: Adding a layer of fresh raspberries or blackberries gives a lovely twist that still complements the cherry beautifully.
• Whipped Cream Stabilizer Alternatives: If gelatin feels intimidating, a dollop of mascarpone or a bit of instant pudding mix works well to give body to the whipped cream.

How to Make Black Forest Cherry Trifle with Chocolate Cake Recipe

Step 1: Bake and Cube Your Chocolate Cake

Follow the box instructions to bake your chocolate cake in a 9×13 pan. Once cooled completely, score it gently into small cubes or crumble it up lightly. This makes it easier to layer and ensures every bite has some chocolatey goodness. Personally, I find cubing gives a nicer texture than overly crumbled cake – it holds the layers better.

Step 2: Make the Cherry Compote

In a saucepan, add your cherries and prepare a slurry by whisking water, cornstarch, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Pour the slurry over the cherries, add sugar, and heat on medium. As the mixture comes to a low boil, the cherries will soften and burst, releasing their juices and thickening the sauce. Stir in almond and vanilla extracts. You can gently mash some of the cherries if you want a thicker, chunkier compote. Then, set it aside to cool completely – patience here pays off with flavor!

Step 3: Prepare Stabilized Whipped Cream

This is a game-changer for trifles. Bloom gelatin in cold water, then gently heat until fully dissolved but not set. While cooling slightly, whip your heavy cream with confectioners’ sugar until soft peaks form. Now, slowly drizzle the gelatin mixture in while whipping at low speed, then add vanilla and whip to stiff peaks. This whipped cream holds its shape beautifully and won’t weep or lose volume overnight.

Step 4: Layer It Like a Pro

In a large glass trifle bowl or individual cups, start with a chocolate cake layer, then spoon over cherry compote, followed by a generous layer of stabilized whipped cream and a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips. Repeat, making sure you finish with a layer of chocolate chips so it looks especially tempting. Press the cake gently if needed to compress the layers and make space for more. Cover and chill the trifle for at least 2 hours – 24 is even better – to let the flavors meld.

How to Serve Black Forest Cherry Trifle with Chocolate Cake Recipe

Garnishes

For garnish, I love a few fresh cherries on top (if in season) and a sprinkle of shaved dark chocolate for that extra wow factor. Sometimes I add a few toasted almond slivers to highlight the almond extract in the compote. It gives a nice crunch and elegance to the presentation.

Side Dishes

This trifle is a dessert all on its own, but if you want to balance the menu, pair it with light, fresh dishes like a green salad or citrusy chicken to offset the richness and sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, try layering the Black Forest Cherry Trifle in individual clear glass jars or stemmed dessert glasses. It makes for a charming presentation at parties or gifts. You can even add small chocolate curls or edible flowers between layers for exquisite flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers tightly covered in the fridge, where the stabilized whipped cream means it keeps its texture beautifully for up to 3 days. Just give it a gentle stir before serving again if layers start to settle.

Freezing

Freezing this trifle isn’t my favorite because the whipped cream can lose texture, but if you need to, freeze in airtight containers and thaw overnight in the fridge. Expect the texture to be a bit softer after thawing.

Reheating

This dessert is best served chilled, so reheating isn’t necessary. If the dish has been in the fridge, just bring it to room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving for the best flavor experience.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Black Forest Cherry Trifle with Chocolate Cake Recipe brings a fresh twist to a classic dessert. The layers of moist chocolate cake, vibrant cherry compote, and stabilized whipped cream combine into something that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Whenever I serve this to family or friends, it disappears fast – and that always makes me smile. I can’t recommend trying it enough, especially if you want a show-stopping dessert that’s straightforward but feels special. Give it a whirl and let me know how it turns out in your kitchen – I’m betting it’ll become a new favorite for you, too!

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