Description
Make your holiday table unforgettable with this Black Forest Trifle for Christmas — a stunning no-bake dessert layered with moist chocolate cake, juicy cherry filling, fluffy whipped cream, and festive toppings. It’s the perfect centerpiece for your Christmas celebration, bringing together elegance, nostalgia, and incredible flavor. Whether you’re looking for a quick holiday dessert, easy Christmas recipe, or impressive dinner ideas, this trifle checks every box and leaves everyone asking for the recipe.
Ingredients
1 chocolate cake (9x13 inches), cubed
2 cups heavy whipping cream
0.25 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups cherry pie filling or cherry compote
0.5 cup cherry liqueur (optional)
1 cup crushed chocolate cookies or granola
0.5 cup chopped dark chocolate or chocolate curls
0.25 cup candied nuts (optional)
Optional Garnishes:
Whipped cream
Fresh or glazed cherries
Chocolate curls
Festive sprinkles
Optional Homemade Cherry Compote (instead of canned filling):
2 cups frozen cherries
0.25 cup sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
1. Cut the chocolate cake into even cubes and set aside.
2. In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
3. If using homemade compote, simmer cherries with sugar and lemon juice. Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened, then cool.
4. Begin layering your trifle in a clear trifle bowl or dessert glasses. Start with chocolate cake cubes as the base.
5. Drizzle with cherry liqueur (or cherry syrup for non-alcoholic version).
6. Add a layer of cherry filling or compote over the cake.
7. Spoon or pipe whipped cream evenly over the cherries.
8. Sprinkle crushed cookies or granola and chopped chocolate for texture.
9. Repeat the layers: cake, cherries, whipped cream, and crunch until the bowl is full.
10. Finish with piped whipped cream, chocolate curls, and cherries on top.
11. Refrigerate for at least 2–3 hours or overnight before serving.
12. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Notes
Use fresh whipped cream over store-bought topping for better flavor and texture.
Assemble at least a few hours ahead to let flavors meld together beautifully.
Clean the inside edges of the bowl as you layer for the best visual presentation.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Christmas / European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup approx.
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: black forest trifle, Christmas dessert, easy trifle, chocolate cherry dessert, holiday recipe