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–+ servings
a jar of Black Forest Trifle topped with whipped topping, chocolate shavings, and cherries
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Black Forest Trifle

Black Forest Trifle combines devil’s food cake, chocolate pudding, and cherry pie filling layered with whipped topping for a striking and tasty dessert. Perfect for making ahead and convenient for family dinners and festive gatherings.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Rest and Chill Time2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time3 hours 10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Black Forest Trifle Recipe
Servings: 12
Calories: 463kcal

Ingredients

  • 15.25 ounces devil’s food cake mix, prepared according to box directions
  • 6.8 ounces instant chocolate pudding mix, two 3.4-ounce boxes
  • 4 cups cold milk
  • 42 ounces cherry pie filling, two 21-ounces cans
  • 16 ounces thawed whipped topping, two 8-ounces containers
  • 1 dozen fresh cherries, optional garnish
  • Chocolate shavings or grated chocolate, optional garnish

Instructions

  • Prepare the devil’s food cake according to box directions. Ensure the cake is completely cooled before cutting it into 1-inch x 1-inch cubes.
  • Prepare the chocolate pudding according to the package instructions using cold milk. Chill it in the refrigerator to set.
  • In a trifle bowl (3.25 quarts -or- 104 ounces), create a single layer of 1-inch cake cubes in the base of a trifle bowl.
  • Spoon ½ of the chocolate pudding over the cake cubes.
  • Spread ¾ of the cherry pie filling over the chocolate pudding.
  • Add a layer of whipped topping over the cherry pie filling.
  • Repeat the layers - cake cubes, remaining chocolate pudding, ¾ of the cherry pie filling - until the dish is nearly full, ending with a layer of whipped topping on top.
  • Loosely cover and refrigerate the trifle for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. Just before serving, set the fresh cherries into the center of the whipped topping. You can also garnish the top with chocolate shavings or grated chocolate.

Notes

  • Let the cake cook completely to help make sure your trifle doesn't end up soggy.
  • Using very cold milk is crucial in helping the pudding to set quickly.
  • As you make each layer of your trifle, use a small spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the layers right to the edge of the dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 463kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 603mg | Potassium: 421mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 364IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 194mg | Iron: 2mg