January 10, 2024
Review RecipeChocolate Trifle
![a close up shot of Chocolate Trifle inside a cake stand](https://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Chocolate-Trifle-Recipe-Card-268x268.jpg)
Table of Contents
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](https://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Chocolate-Trifle-Hero1.jpg)
Chocolate Trifle Ingredients
![Chocolate Trifle raw ingredients that are labeled](https://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Chocolate-Trifle-Ingredients-1.jpg)
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](https://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Chocolate-Trifle-step-1.jpg)
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](https://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Chocolate-Trifle-step-2.jpg)
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](https://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Chocolate-Trifle-step-3.jpg)
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](https://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Chocolate-Trifle-step-4.jpg)
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](https://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Chocolate-Trifle-step-5.jpg)
STEP SIX: Sprinkle with half of the crushed Heath candy bars.
![crushed candy bars sprinkled over the trifle](https://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Chocolate-Trifle-step-6.jpg)
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.
MORE DESSERT RECIPES
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](https://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Chocolate-Trifle-Hero2.jpg)
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
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.
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.
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](https://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Chocolate-Trifle-Recipe-Card-268x268.jpg)
Chocolate Trifle
Ingredients
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.
Comments
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
NANCY WAITES says
I would use brownies in this recipe & add hot fudge sauce.
Archi says
I want chocolate turflle icceing recipe
Rick Salzsauler says
Looks yummy
Terri King says
Going to try making it this coming week for my friends at the pantry
Emily Early says
I would try the caramel sauce. But it sounds delish just like it is. Will definitely try it.
Mary says
Tried it everyone loved it !!
Laura says
Ohโฆ this looks delicious! However, my family wouldnโt eat it as they donโt like pudding and it would be too sweet.
Laura Yarzebinski says
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.
Charmaine Hart says
I think this would be really good with brownies!
Marion says
I made this several times using the heath bars, also with Twix, hersheys, and kit Kat bars. All super delicious.