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Chocolate Trifle

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a close up shot of Chocolate Trifle inside a cake stand
This easy chocolate trifle has three kinds of chocolate — cake, pudding, and candy bars — that are layered with whipped topping for a decadent dessert.
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Table of Contents
  1. Chocolate Trifle Ingredients
  2. Substitutions And Additions
  3. How To Make This Chocolate Trifle Recipe
  4. How To Serve
  5. Storage
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. More Recipes You’ll Love
  8. JUMP TO RECIPE
  9. Most Popular Recipes

This classic rich chocolate trifle is made from layers of decadent chocolate cake, creamy chocolate pudding, fluffy whipped topping, and crunchy candy bars. With three kinds of delicious chocolate, it’s the ultimate triple threat.

a close up shot of Chocolate Trifle inside a cake stand

Chocolate Trifle Ingredients

Chocolate Trifle raw ingredients that are labeled
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You’ll need: 

  • 1 (15.25-ounce) box of chocolate cake mix (baked according to package directions for a 9 x 13-inch pan)
  • 2 (3.9-ounce) boxes of instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 4 cups of milk
  • 1 (12-ounce) tub of frozen Cool Whip whipped topping, slightly thawed
  • 5-6 Heath candy bars, crushed into small pieces, and divided in half

Substitutions And Additions

BROWNIES: If you prefer chocolate brownies, try substituting a boxed brownie mix instead of the chocolate cake in this easy recipe (or our amazing brownie cake).

This will add a delicious fudgy element to your trifle. 

OREOS: Oreo cookies are a popular substitution for Heath bars in this recipe. Crumble up 10-12 Oreos and add them in place of the Heath bars (and don’t forget to add some on top, too)! 

Or you could customize this trifle by using another chocolate bar on top, such as Reese’s peanut butter cups or Skor bars.

TOPPING: Add caramel sauce or hot fudge sauce to put this dessert right over the top. Of course, toffee bits and chocolate chips are never a bad idea, either!

How To Make This Chocolate Trifle Recipe

STEP ONE: Cut the baked cake into small cubes, about 1 to 1½ inches in size. 

cake cut into small cubes in a baking dish

STEP TWO: Add the dry instant pudding to a medium-sized bowl and add the milk. Mix with a mixer for two minutes or whisk by hand until thick. 

milk added to the dry pudding and whisked in a bowl

STEP THREE: Add half of the pieces of chocolate cake to the trifle bowl. Gently press them together to fill in any gaps. 

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

If you don’t have an actual trifle bowl, any large glass bowl or even individual glass bowls will work fine for this fantastic dessert. 

half of the chocolate cake pieces placed in a serving dish

STEP FOUR: Next, take half of the pudding mixture and spread it over the cake layer. 

PRO TIP:

For extra crunch, sprinkle candy bar chunks between each layer. Just be sure to save a handful for your trifle topping. 

pudding spread over the cake layer

STEP FIVE: Spread half of the whipped topping on top of the pudding layer. 

half of the whipped topping spread on top of the pudding layer

STEP SIX: Sprinkle with half of the crushed Heath candy bars. 

crushed candy bars sprinkled over the trifle

STEP SEVEN: Repeat adding your layers of cake, pudding, and a final layer of whipped topping with candy bar chunks on top. 

STEP EIGHT: Chill for one to two hours before serving. 

PRO TIP:

You can also chill this dessert overnight to allow the flavors more time to blend together and soak into the cake.

How To Serve

This layered dessert will impress your guests, and they will be eager to have a taste.

Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra rich treat and a warm mug of homemade hot chocolate to drink.

And if you’re craving more chocolate dessert recipes, we love this easy mayo cake and our Southern classic busy day chocolate cake

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: You can make trifle a day ahead and store it in the fridge.

Assemble the trifle according to the instructions, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve it.

Leftovers will keep for two to three days.

IN THE FREEZER: Freezing your chocolate trifle isn’t recommended because the texture will change as you freeze and then thaw it.

overhead shot of Chocolate Trifles in tall glasses

This perfect chocolate trifle dessert has layers of chocolate cake, creamy chocolate pudding, and whipped cream that will delight your senses. It’s so easy to make, and the result is a stunning dessert that tastes amazing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a trifle bowl?

A trifle bowl is a large bowl that is usually on a pedestal. It displays all of the lovely layers of this dessert through the clear glass.

Can I make a trifle the day before?

This easy chocolate trifle recipe can be made a day ahead, and, in fact, it should be made ahead of time so that the flavors are able to blend together and soak into the cake.

Can I freeze chocolate trifle?

We don’t recommend freezing this no-bake dessert. The creamy texture will change once thawed. This treat is best made fresh.

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a close up shot of Chocolate Trifle inside a cake stand

Chocolate Trifle

4.99 from 53 votes
This easy chocolate trifle has three kinds of chocolate — cake, pudding, and candy bars — that are layered with whipped topping for a decadent dessert.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 15.25 ounces chocolate cake mix (baked according to package directions for a 9 x 13-inch pan)
  • 7.8 ounces instant chocolate pudding (two 3.9 ounces boxes)
  • 4 cups milk
  • 12 ounces frozen Cool Whip whipped topping, slightly thawed
  • 5 to 6 Heath candy bars, crushed into small chunks and divided

Instructions
 

  • Cut the baked cake into small cubes about 1 to 1½ inches in size.
  • Place the dry pudding in a medium-sized bowl and add the milk. Mix with a mixer for two minutes or whisk by hand until thick.
  • In the trifle bowl, place half of the pieces of chocolate cake, pressing gently to fill in any gaps.
  • Next, take half of the pudding and spread it over the cake layer.
  • Then spread half of the whipped topping on top of the pudding layer.
  • Sprinkle with half of the crushed candy bars.
  • Repeat adding your layers of cake, pudding, and a final layer of whipped topping with candy bar chunks on top. 
  • Chill for 1 to 2 hours before serving.

Notes

  • If you don’t have an actual trifle bowl, any large glass bowl or even individual bowls will work fine for this fantastic dessert. 
  • For extra crunch, sprinkle candy bar chunks between each layer. Just be sure to save a handful for your trifle topping. 
  • You can also chill this dessert overnight to allow the flavors more time to blend together and soak into the cake.

Nutrition

Calories: 495kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 874mg | Potassium: 439mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 229IU | Calcium: 252mg | Iron: 3mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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    Comments

  1. joan Turbeville says

    Getting ready try some in yur delicious looking recipes. I want to compliment how helpful it is the way you lay how all of the ingredients in a recipe. Your page is very user friendly. Thank you. Joan Turbeville

  2. Laura says

    Oh… this looks delicious! However, my family wouldn’t eat it as they don’t like pudding and it would be too sweet.

  3. Laura Yarzebinski says

    5 stars
    This sounds good. Both brownies and cake sound great, but I’must leaning towards brownies. I think I would use a vanilla type pudding just to break up the flavors rhough.

  4. Marion says

    5 stars
    I made this several times using the heath bars, also with Twix, hersheys, and kit Kat bars. All super delicious.

  5. Elizabeth M Heimlich says

    5 stars
    Yummy! I think I would add BOTH hot fudge and caramel sauce to put this right over the top…

  6. Bradley Meers says

    5 stars
    I’ll be making the trifle with brownies. It looks so good! So many recipes to choose from! Thanks

  7. Flofrommo says

    5 stars
    I have this same recipe. I serve with a small scoop chocolate chip ice cream or vanilla. Hersheys syrup on top of ice cream and trifle make this a very rich dish. Yummy

  8. Chris says

    This looks delicious! Definitely want to make this. For your suggestion of using brownies instead of cake, I thought use brownies on the bottom layer and cake for the middle layer!!

  9. Bianca says

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness, this has my mouth watering! Would definitely try with Oreos. Cant wait to try this recipe!

  10. Donna Leverett says

    5 stars
    I would definitely use brownie instead of cake to make the trifle richer. I’m not a fan of heath bars so I would use the Oreos. I would keep the chocolate pudding because, well, it’s chocolate. I would ABSOLUTELY incorporate STRAWBERRIES into this recipe. They would lighten the dessert and add a little tartness. Yes. I’m going to make it today with strawberries.

    • Linda W. says

      5 stars
      Really no need to make this dessert richer— it’s rich enough! I’ve made this trifle quite often for gatherings, and it’s always a hit. I do add just a couple of tablespoons of instant vanilla pudding to the cool whip and beat it till it firms up a bit. Adds a little extra flavor and consistency.

  11. Diane says

    5 stars
    Plan on making this- looks like a chocolate lovers dream!! Your recommendation of using your chocolate brownie cake…..will that recipe fit in a 9×13 pan? It’s written for a Bundt pan. Just want to check before I potentially make a mess in my oven. Thanks.

  12. Don Throne says

    5 stars
    I think this Chocolate Trifle dessert sounds amazing. I would like to try this recipe with brownies instead of the chocolate cake.

  13. Yvonne Y says

    5 stars
    Amazing! EVERYTHING looks good and the step by step process is great! Thank you all the great recipes cant wait to try them. Hugs! Love the layout as well!

  14. Shelby Burkhart says

    5 stars
    I would change this up with brownies instead of chocolate cake and use miniature reese cups or rolos

  15. Carolyn Swank says

    5 stars
    YES. YES. YES. I would definitely try all of the variations, in fact I have made the Brownie version for Bunco… it was a hit!!! Thanx for the reminder of these trifles… they are EZ to make… mistakes are EZ to hide and taste heavenly!!!

  16. Cindy says

    5 stars
    This is a delicious dessert. If you’re into changing up the flavors or texture, I would use a brownie of any variety (caramel or cheesecake swirl, nut, turtle); maybe try using the same or contrasting flavor syrup, or fruit topping directly on the cake either when assembling or serving; vanilla cake with chocolate pudding or vanilla pudding with the chocolate cake; mix a little cocoa powder or espresso into the whipped topping or dust it on top; use oreos, vanilla wafers, or graham crackers. Why not consider throwing some marshmallows or fluff in there somewhere, too? I always consider a recipe a jumping off point. You can still keep it easy while putting your stamp on it. Just look at what I came up with in a few minutes from only one of these great recipes!

  17. Connie Winter says

    5 stars
    I’d probably go with Oreos. This is similar to a dirt cake I’ve been making since late 80s for birthdays. This is a bit simpler. I’m going to try it for the next birthday!

  18. Pam says

    5 stars
    I have made chocolate trifle b4 and they are delicious. I would most definitely try with Oreos or even Reece’s peanut butter cups would be yummy. Your dessert recipes are always mouthwatering sounding and make me want to try them.

  19. Penny says

    5 stars
    Not only does this look delicious, but super easy. Plus who doesn’t love some heath bars? In answer to your questions —
    Would you serve with a different flavor of pudding? No, but I might try making it even simpler and purchasing a pound cake (i.e. SaraLee) and chunking that up. I think it would be delish with the chocolate pudding and heath bars. Yum!
    Would you serve with a different candy? No — what is better than a Heath bar? Thanks for the recipe and love your column.

  20. Meredith Leonard says

    5 stars
    I make this with Betty Crocker Super Moist Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix and a mixture of crushed Heath bars and crushed Snickers.

  21. Lorinda Raymond says

    5 stars
    I would try this recipe instead of regular cake but chocolate and caramel added to this recipe would make it taste much interesting dessert.

  22. Kelly says

    I haven’t tried this using cake, but I would definately recommend it using brownies! I have made it that way many times for holiday gatherings, and I never have any leftover! Such a yummy dessert!

  23. Joanne says

    5 stars
    This looks amazing! The only thing I would change would be the chocolate bar as I don’t think we have that one up here. I have to make sure there is no nuts or coconut.

  24. Cheryl says

    5 stars
    I would love to add both hot fudge and caramel toppings only I would add it at the serving portion not the whole dish.

  25. Cynthia Anderson says

    5 stars
    I loved the chew brittle I’m going to try the others except I don’t care for strawberries

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