Recipe Black Forest Trifle

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about assembling layers of cake, cherries, and cream—it’s like a sweet edible story that unfolds as you dive your spoon into it. My cherry chocolate trifle is that indulgent creation that feels like a celebration in every bite! 🍒🍫✨

Savor the sumptuous and sinful layers of my Black Forest Trifle, with sweet, plump cherries and chocolate cake that could make a grown man cry. To say the trifles could fall under the category of my all-time favorite desserts is a gross understatement.

They are my favorite. Cherries, cherry liqueur, and chocolate are a perfect match.

When you enjoy the trifle, eat it with a spoon that can get you both layers and some of the toppings. My trifles, like my cakes, are sweet, but their sweetness is balanced by slight bitterness in the liqueur and chocolate.

Recipe Black Forest Trifle Ingredients

• Chocolate cake: Rich in carbohydrates, it provides a sweet, moist base.
• Sweet cherries: High in antioxidants, they add natural sweetness and fiber.
• Cherry liqueur/kirsch: Offers a boozy, tart flavor, enhancing the cherry essence.
• Heavy cream: Adds creaminess and richness, contributing to a smooth, velvety texture.
• Powdered sugar: Provides sweetness and smoothness, balancing the dessert’s flavors.
• Dark chocolate shavings: Bittersweet and antioxidant-rich, they add texture and depth.
• Cherry preserves: Intensifies cherry flavor, adding sweetness and a fruity layer.

Recipe Black Forest Trifle Ingredient Quantities

• 1 chocolate cake, prepared and cooled
• 2 cups sweet cherries, pitted and halved
• 1/2 cup cherry liqueur or kirsch
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate shavings
• 1 jar (16 oz) cherry preserves

How to Make this Recipe Black Forest Trifle

1. Start by cutting the ready chocolate cake into small cubes that are about 1 inch in size.

2. In a big mixing bowl, combine the sweet cherries with the cherry liqueur or kirsch. Let them soak for about 10 to 15 minutes, so they can absorb the flavor.

3. With an electric mixer, whip the heavy cream together with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until you see stiff peaks. (If you don’t have an electric mixer, you can achieve the same results using a hand mixer.)

4. In a big trifle bowl or in individual serving glasses, make the first layer by spreading a portion of cherry preserves evenly over the bottom.

5. Layer chocolate cake cubes over the cherry preserves, making sure the cubes are evenly distributed.

6. Place a layer of the soaked cherries atop the cake cubes, using about a third of the cherries for this layer.

7. Cover the cherries with whipped cream, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

8. Do the layering process all over again (preserves, cake cubes, soaked cherries, and whipped cream) until you’ve used all the ingredients, remembering to end with a layer of whipped cream on top.

9. Sprinkle the surface of the top layer of whipped cream with the dark chocolate shavings, distributing them evenly all over the top.

10. For at least 2 hours before serving, refrigerate the trifle so that the flavors can meld together. Serve chilled, and enjoy this delightful dessert.

Recipe Black Forest Trifle Equipment Needed

1. Cutting board
2. Sharp knife
3. Large mixing bowl
4. Electric mixer or hand mixer
5. Measuring cups
6. Measuring spoons
7. Big trifle bowl or individual serving glasses
8. Spatula
9. Refrigerator
10. Grater or peeler (for chocolate shavings)

FAQ

• Q: Can I use store-bought chocolate cake for this trifle?A: Yes, you can save time by using a chocolate cake from the store. Just make sure it is completely cool before you start putting everything together.
• Q: Can I make this trifle alcohol-free?A: Absolutely, it is possible to replace the cherry liqueur or cherry liqueur with an equivalent amount of cherry juice or cherry syrup for a non-alcoholic version.
• Q: How far in advance can I prepare this trifle?A: The trifle can be put together a day in advance. Keep it in the fridge, and let the flavors meld.
• Q: What is the best way to create chocolate shavings?A: To make fine curls for garnish, take a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler and use it to shave a block of dark chocolate.
• Q: Can I use frozen cherries in place of fresh?A: Yes, it is possible to use frozen cherries in place of fresh ones, but make sure they are completely thawed and very well drained before you use them.
• Q: Is there a substitute for heavy cream in this recipe?A: If desired, you can use whipped topping or coconut cream in place of the heavy cream.
• Q: How do I store leftovers of the trifle?A: Cover the remaining trifle and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

Recipe Black Forest Trifle Substitutions and Variations

Brownies or chocolate sponge cake: These can easily replace chocolate cake.

Chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting: A chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting can be made with brownies.
For cherry liqueur or kirsch: Mix cherry juice with a splash of almond extract or brandy.
Black sweet cherries: Use blackberries or raspberries for a slightly different berry flavor.
Thick coconut milk: For a dairy-free alternative, use a can of coconut milk. You will need the kind that is thick and creamy. This kind of coconut milk does not separate like regular coconut milk does, so you can’t substitute this for whipping cream.
Preserves made from cherries: Use raspberry preserves or blackberry jam instead.

Pro Tips

1. Enhance Cake Flavor Before cutting the chocolate cake into cubes, brush each side lightly with cherry liqueur or syrup for an extra depth of flavor. This will help the cake complement the cherries and the cream even more.

2. Chill Equipment for Whipping Before whipping the cream, chill your mixing bowl and beaters in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. This will help the cream whip faster and achieve stiffer peaks.

3. Cherry Mixture Infusion Allow the cherries to soak in the cherry liqueur or kirsch for longer, if possible, for a more pronounced flavor. You can even prepare this step a few hours in advance, storing the mixture in the refrigerator.

4. Perfect Chocolate Shavings To get beautifully curled chocolate shavings, use a vegetable peeler on a block of chilled dark chocolate. Also, consider refrigerating the shavings briefly before garnish—they’ll stay firm and maintain their shape better.

5. Balance Sweetness If you find the cherry preserves too sweet, try mixing them with a bit of fresh lemon juice for a slight tang. This will balance the overall sweetness of the dessert and enhance the fruitiness of the cherries.