If you’re craving a dessert that’s indulgent, visually stunning, and bursting with cherry-chocolate goodness, then you have to try this Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe. I absolutely love how this trifle layers fluffy chocolate cake, luscious cherry filling, creamy pudding, and fresh whipped cream — all in one gorgeous glass bowl. It’s always a hit when I bring it to family gatherings, and once you see how easy it is to assemble, you’ll be tempted to make it again and again.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

All-in-One Dessert: Layers of chocolate cake, cherry filling, pudding, and whipped cream make each bite bursting with flavor and texture.
Easy to Make: Using simple ingredients and a few straightforward steps, you can have an impressive dessert ready in no time.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble it in advance and let it chill to let flavors meld beautifully, perfect for parties or family dinners.
Flexible Ingredients: You can easily customize the liqueur or make it kid-friendly by substituting cherry juice.

A glass trifle dish holds a layered dessert starting with a dark chocolate crumb base at the bottom, followed by a thick chocolate pudding layer. Above this is a white cream layer with swirls of red cherry sauce, then another dark chocolate crumb layer, and a second thick chocolate pudding layer. The top is covered with glossy cherry sauce and a generous layer of fluffy white whipped cream sprinkled with tiny chocolate shavings. Several fresh cherries with green stems sit on top, adding a shiny red contrast. The dish is on a white marbled surface with a small white bowl of chocolate shavings nearby, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Black Forest Cherry Trifle, cherry chocolate dessert, layered dessert recipe, easy trifle ideas, holiday dessert recipes

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic in this Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe comes from the balance of rich chocolate cake, juicy cherries, creamy pudding, and smooth whipped cream. Each ingredient adds depth, but don’t worry — everything is easy to find at most grocery stores.

Flat lay of a square of rich chocolate sheet cake cut into cubes, a small pile of glossy fresh red cherries with stems, two small white ceramic bowls—one filled with dark red cherry pie filling and another with smooth chocolate pudding, a small white bowl holding fluffy whipped cream, a few delicate pieces of shaved dark chocolate arranged neatly on the side, a small white bowl with fine powdered sugar, and a small white bowl with golden cherry liqueur—all ingredients fresh and natural, arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Black Forest Cherry Trifle, cherry chocolate dessert, layered dessert recipe, easy trifle ideas, holiday dessert recipes

Chocolate cake or brownies: I like to use either a homemade chocolate sheet cake or a boxed mix for convenience, just make sure it’s fully cooled before layering.
Cherry pie filling: Store-bought is great here, but you can also whip up a homemade cherry filling for extra freshness.
Kirsch or cherry liqueur: It adds that classic Black Forest flavor but feel free to swap with cherry juice if you prefer no alcohol.
Chocolate pudding mix: Instant pudding works perfectly—you’ll just need to prepare as directed and let it cool.
Heavy whipping cream: For fluffy whipped cream, use cold heavy cream and whip it up fresh with powdered sugar and vanilla.
Vanilla extract and powdered sugar: These sweeten and flavor the whipped cream to perfection.
Garnishes like fresh cherries and shaved chocolate: They add that extra wow factor when serving.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe is how you can play around with it to suit your tastes or dietary needs. I often switch up the liqueur or use different types of chocolate cake to keep it interesting!

Non-alcoholic version: When family visits with kids, I swap kirsch with cherry juice—gives that cherry flavor without the boozy kick, and everyone loves it.
Gluten-free: Use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix or brownies, and you’re good to go without sacrificing flavor.
Fruit twists: Swap cherries for raspberries or mixed berries to give a fresh seasonal touch; it’s still delicious just with a different flair.
Vegan option: Try dairy-free pudding and whipped topping alternatives — I’ve made this with coconut whipped cream and it turned out amazing!

How to Make Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe

Step 1: Bake and Prepare Your Chocolate Cake

Start by baking your chocolate cake or brownies according to the package or your favorite recipe. I usually make a homemade chocolate sheet cake because it’s moist and cuts beautifully. Make sure the cake is completely cooled before cutting it into 1-inch cubes—that prevents the pudding from melting when you layer it.

Step 2: Prepare the Chocolate Pudding

While the cake cools, prepare your chocolate pudding by following the package directions or using your homemade pudding recipe. One trick I discovered is to chill the pudding well before assembling the trifle; this helps keep the layers distinct and prevents watery surprises.

Step 3: Whip Up the Creamy Whipped Cream

In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, blend cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Start slow, and when you see soft peaks forming, bump the speed up to medium-high until stiff peaks develop. If you’ve never made whipped cream before, just watch closely—not too much or you’ll end up with butter!

Step 4: Layer Your Trifle

Ready for the fun part? In your trifle bowl, place half of the chocolate cake cubes evenly on the bottom—press them down gently to form a solid base. Drizzle half of the kirsch or cherry juice over this layer to soak in all that lovely flavor. Then add half of the chocolate pudding spread evenly, followed by half of the cherry pie filling, and finish the layer with half the whipped cream. Repeat these layers ending with the whipped cream on top. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour, but overnight gives the best flavor meld.

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Pro Tips for Making Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe

Cake Cooling is Crucial: Let the cake cool fully before cutting and layering to prevent sogginess.
Chill Pudding Before Layering: Cold pudding layers keep the trifle stable and prevent blending of layers.
Whip Cream Just Right: Stop at stiff peaks for perfectly fluffy but stable whipped cream that won’t weep overnight.
Use a Clear Trifle Bowl: Show off those beautiful colorful layers and make the dessert even more inviting.

How to Serve Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe

A clear glass dessert cup shows a layered cherry chocolate dessert. The bottom layer is dark chocolate pudding with whole cherries visible through the glass. Above this is a mix of cherry sauce and small chunks of dark chocolate cake. On top, there is a thick layer of white whipped cream sprinkled with dark brown chocolate shavings. Two whole cherries, one with a long stem, sit on the whipped cream. A woman's hand holds a spoon digging into the dessert. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with whole cherries and a white cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Black Forest Cherry Trifle, cherry chocolate dessert, layered dessert recipe, easy trifle ideas, holiday dessert recipes

Garnishes

I always top my trifle with fresh cherries for a juicy pop of color and flavor, plus I sprinkle shaved chocolate and a light dusting of cocoa powder or icing sugar. It makes the trifle look cake-shop pretty and adds extra texture and richness that guests adore.

Side Dishes

Though this dessert is rich and filling on its own, if you’re serving it after a hearty meal, I like to keep sides simple—think fresh mint leaves or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. It balances the richness and keeps flavors fresh.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve also made individual Black Forest Cherry Trifle jars—layered in cute mason jars—which are perfect for gifting or taking to potlucks. Another fun twist is adding a drizzle of chocolate ganache on top just before serving; it feels so luxe and decadent!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover trifle keeps beautifully covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I store it with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the whipped cream layer to avoid any fridge odors and prevent the cream from drying out.

Freezing

I usually don’t freeze Black Forest Cherry Trifle because the whipped cream can separate when thawed, but if you want to freeze parts of it, try freezing the cake or the pudding separately. Then assemble fresh on serving day for best texture.

Reheating

This dessert is best served chilled, so reheating is not typically necessary. If you want the cake warm, you can enjoy the chocolate cake layer separately warmed up, but otherwise, just dig in cold for that perfect creamy, fruity bite.

FAQs

Can I use brownies instead of chocolate cake for this Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe?

Absolutely! Brownies work wonderfully as the base and add a fudgier texture to the trifle. Just cut them into cubes and layer just as you would with the chocolate cake.
What if I don’t have kirsch or cherry liqueur?

You can substitute kirsch with cherry juice or even amaretto if you like. For a non-alcoholic version, cherry juice keeps the flavor bright without the alcohol, making it kid-friendly too.
How long should this Black Forest Cherry Trifle chill before serving?

Chilling for at least 1 hour allows the layers to set, but I recommend refrigerating it overnight if possible—that’s when all the flavors really meld and you get that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Can I make the whipped cream ahead of time?

Yes, you can whip the cream a few hours in advance and store it covered in the fridge. Just give it a quick whisk before layering if it starts to lose volume.

Final Thoughts

This Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe holds a special place in my dessert repertoire because it’s as impressive as it looks and so comforting to eat. Every time I make it, friends ask for seconds (and sometimes thirds!). I hope you enjoy making and sharing this easy-but-elegant trifle as much as I do. It’s the kind of recipe that turns any day into a celebration—so go ahead, dive in and have fun layering those delicious flavors!