Get ready to create a show-stopping dessert with minimal effort. This easy Black Forest Trifle recipe layers rich chocolate brownies, luscious cherry filling, and a dreamy cream cheese whipped topping into a stunning presentation. It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for any occasion, guaranteed to wow your guests.
If you love the classic German combination of chocolate, cherries, and cream but don’t have time for a complicated layer cake, this trifle is your new best friend. We’re using a few smart shortcuts to deliver that decadent flavor you crave, fast. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, much like our fan-favorite Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake.
What Makes This Black Forest Trifle So Easy?
The secret to this simple yet elegant dessert lies in a few key shortcuts. Instead of a traditional chocolate sponge cake (sachertorte), we use a standard fudge brownie mix. This creates an incredibly moist, rich chocolatey base that holds up perfectly to the other layers. We also use canned cherry pie filling, which provides all the fruity sweetness without the hassle of pitting and cooking down fresh cherries. Finally, a stabilized whipped cream filling made with cream cheese and instant pudding mix ensures your layers stay distinct and beautiful.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe comes together with a handful of simple, easy-to-find ingredients.
- Fudge Brownie Mix: One box, plus the ingredients called for on the package (typically oil, water, and eggs).
- Cherry Pie Filling: The star of the show! Two cans provide ample fruit for layering.
- Kirsch (Optional): This cherry liqueur gives an authentic Black Forest flavor. You can substitute it with cherry juice or omit it entirely.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: The base of our light and airy cream layer.
- Cream Cheese: Adds stability and a slight tang to the cream filling.
- Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: A secret weapon to keep the cream layer from weeping and ensures perfect layers.
- Powdered Sugar: To lightly sweeten the cream filling.
- Chocolate Shavings & Fresh Cherries: For a beautiful and delicious garnish.
How to Assemble the Perfect Black Forest Trifle (Step-by-Step)
Layering is key to a beautiful trifle. Follow these simple steps for a dessert that looks as good as it tastes.
Step 1: Prepare the Brownies
First, prepare and bake the fudge brownie mix according to the package directions in a 9×13 inch pan. Once baked, let them cool completely. It’s crucial they are not warm, or they will melt the cream filling. Once cooled, cut the brownies into 1-inch cubes.
Step 2: Make the Creamy Filling
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add the heavy whipping cream and beat until it starts to thicken. Sprinkle in the instant vanilla pudding mix and powdered sugar, and continue to beat on high speed until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip. This mixture will be thick, creamy, and perfectly stable for layering.
Step 3: Layer Your Trifle
Now for the fun part! In a large glass trifle bowl, begin layering your ingredients. Start with one-third of the brownie cubes at the bottom. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of Kirsch, if using. Next, spread one-third of the cherry pie filling over the brownies. Finally, top with one-third of the cream mixture. Repeat these layers two more times, ending with a final, generous layer of cream on top.
Step 4: Chill and Garnish
Cover the trifle with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. This allows the flavors to meld together and the brownies to soften slightly. Just before serving, garnish the top generously with chocolate shavings and fresh cherries.
Pro Tips for a Show-Stopping Trifle
- Use a Glass Bowl: A clear trifle bowl is essential to show off the beautiful, distinct layers of your Black Forest Trifle.
- Cool Completely: Ensure your brownies are 100% cooled before assembling. Any residual heat will cause your cream layer to become runny.
- Don’t Over-mix the Cream: Beat the cream filling just until stiff peaks form. Over-whipping can cause it to become grainy.
- Layer Carefully: For the neatest layers, gently spoon or pipe the cream filling over the cherry layer.
Fun Variations to Try
While this recipe is a classic, feel free to make it your own! For a non-alcoholic version, simply substitute the Kirsch with cherry juice or omit it. You could also swap the brownies for cubes of your favorite chocolate cake, similar to the base of a delicious Strawberry Pound Cake. For a different flavor profile, consider adding a sprinkle of toasted almonds between the layers for a delightful crunch.
Making It Ahead and Storage
This Black Forest Trifle is the perfect make-ahead dessert. You can assemble it up to 24 hours in advance. Keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, although the layers may soften over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This trifle is an ideal make-ahead dessert. You can assemble it up to 24 hours in advance. Letting it chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Using denser cake cubes, like the brownies in this recipe, helps prevent sogginess. Additionally, the stabilized cream cheese and pudding filling creates a barrier that keeps the layers from becoming watery. Chilling it also helps the layers set properly.
The traditional alcohol used is Kirsch, which is a cherry liqueur. For a non-alcoholic version, you can simply omit the Kirsch or substitute it with a few tablespoons of cherry juice to enhance the fruit flavor.
For ease and convenience, this recipe calls for canned cherry pie filling, which works perfectly. If you prefer, you could also use a can of pitted dark sweet cherries in heavy syrup, drained and mixed with a little Kirsch.
A Black Forest cake is a traditional layer cake made with chocolate sponge, whipped cream, and cherries. A Black Forest trifle deconstructs those same flavors into a layered dessert in a bowl, often using brownie or cake cubes, a creamy filling, and a cherry topping, making it much easier to assemble.
Discover More Decadent Recipes
We hope you love this easy and impressive Black Forest Trifle! It’s a dessert that proves you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to create something truly special. For more unique dessert ideas, don’t miss our famous Tiramisu Crinkle Cookies. Let us know how yours turned out in the comments below and be sure to share your beautiful creations on Pinterest!
Black Forest Trifle Recipe
Black Forest Trifle: The Ultimate Easy Chocolate Cherry Dessert
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Prepare and bake the brownie mix in a 9x13 inch pan according to package instructions. Let cool completely, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Slowly pour in the cold heavy whipping cream and beat until it begins to thicken. Add the dry instant pudding mix and powdered sugar. Continue beating on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- In a large trifle bowl, place one-third of the brownie cubes in a single layer. Drizzle with 1 tbsp of Kirsch (if using). Top with one-third of the cherry pie filling, followed by one-third of the cream mixture. Repeat the layers two more times.
- Cover the trifle and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
- Just before serving, garnish the top of the trifle with chocolate shavings and fresh cherries.
Notes
Non-Alcoholic Version: Simply omit the Kirsch or replace it with 2 tablespoons of cherry juice from a jar of maraschino cherries for extra flavor.
Storage: Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
