Decadent, dramatic, and drop-dead delicious, this Best Layered Black Forest Trifle is a showstopper at any gathering. It layers everything you love about Black Forest cake—rich chocolate cake, sweet-tart cherries, and clouds of whipped cream—into a stunning trifle bowl that looks as good as it tastes. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, birthday, or simply craving something special, this dessert delivers both flavor and flair.

The beauty of this trifle lies not only in its taste but in its texture: spongy cake, silky cream, juicy cherries, and crisp chocolate shavings in every spoonful. With each layer visually enticing and effortlessly scoopable, this is the kind of recipe that leaves guests swooning and asking for seconds.

Why You’ll Love This Best Layered Black Forest Trifle

Stunning Presentation: Perfect for impressing guests at dinner parties or potlucks.
Flavor-Packed Layers: Every spoonful delivers a combo of chocolate, cherry, and cream.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep it the night before for stress-free hosting.
Customizable: Use homemade or store-bought cake, swap in cherry pie filling or fresh cherries, and even spike with Kirsch if you’re feeling fancy.
No-Bake Assembly: Once your cake is ready, it’s just layering and chilling!

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

To pull off this trifle with ease and elegance, gather the following tools:

Trifle Bowl or Large Glass Bowl: Essential for that layered visual impact. The see-through sides showcase the alternating stripes of cream, cherries, and chocolate.
Electric Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: Helps whip the cream to soft peaks quickly and evenly.
Offset Spatula or Silicone Spatula: Perfect for gently spreading each layer without disturbing the ones below.
Sharp Knife or Vegetable Peeler: Use to make chocolate curls or shavings.
Piping Bag with Star Tip (Optional): For decorative cream dollops on the top layer.
Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for combining whipped cream and layering ingredients.

Each tool plays its part in bringing this dessert together cleanly and beautifully, so don’t skip out—especially on the presentation bowl, which turns this dessert into a centerpiece.

Ingredients for the Best Layered Black Forest Trifle

Chocolate Cake or Brownies: The foundation of our layers. Rich, moist, and chocolatey.
Cherry Pie Filling: Brings in that tart-sweet fruitiness. You can use homemade or canned.
Whipped Cream: Adds airiness and balances the sweetness. Heavy cream whipped to soft peaks is best.
Chocolate Shavings or Curls: For added texture and visual drama. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate works beautifully.
Maraschino or Fresh Cherries (optional): Garnish on top for extra wow factor.
Kirsch (optional): Traditional cherry brandy to infuse deeper cherry flavor in the cake.

How To Make the Best Layered Black Forest Trifle

Step 1: Bake and Cool the Cake

Prepare your favorite chocolate cake or brownie recipe. Let it cool completely, then cut into cubes or crumble for layering.

Step 2: Whip the Cream

In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream with a mixer until soft peaks form. Add a bit of sugar and vanilla extract to taste.

Step 3: Prepare Your Ingredients

Have your cherry filling, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings ready. If using Kirsch, drizzle it over the cake pieces lightly.

Step 4: Assemble the Trifle

In your trifle bowl, layer in this order: a base of cake cubes, a generous spoonful of cherry filling, a thick layer of whipped cream, then a sprinkle of chocolate shavings. Repeat the layers until the bowl is full.

Step 5: Finish and Decorate

Top the final layer with whipped cream swirls (use a piping bag for effect), chocolate curls, and whole cherries. Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Step 6: Serve and Swoon

Scoop into serving bowls and watch your guests light up with joy.

How to Serve and Store This Trifle

Serving: Serve chilled using a large serving spoon to scoop through all the layers. For best presentation, aim to get a little of each layer in every portion. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or espresso.

Storing: Cover the trifle bowl with plastic wrap or transfer leftovers into an airtight container. It stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Note that the whipped cream may deflate slightly over time, but the flavors will meld beautifully.

Avoid freezing, as the whipped cream and cherries may lose their texture upon thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use boxed cake mix for this recipe?

Yes! A chocolate boxed cake works great if you’re short on time. Just make sure it’s completely cooled before layering.

Can I make this trifle the day before?

Absolutely. It actually tastes better the next day once the flavors have had time to mingle. Assemble and refrigerate overnight.

What can I substitute for Kirsch?

You can skip it altogether or use cherry juice, rum, or a splash of amaretto for a different twist.

How do I make chocolate curls easily?

Use a vegetable peeler and a room-temperature chocolate bar. Gently shave along the side for delicate curls.

Is there a dairy-free version of this trifle?

Yes! Use a dairy-free whipped topping and ensure your cake and chocolate are also dairy-free. There are great alternatives available.

Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?

Yes, especially during cherry season. Pit and halve them, then simmer with a bit of sugar and cornstarch until thickened.

Want More Dessert Ideas?

If this Black Forest Trifle won your heart, you’ll definitely want to try these other irresistible recipes from Kitchen by Kate:

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And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you spike it with Kirsch or go alcohol-free? Did you get creative with the topping?

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other bake smarter.

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Best Layered Black Forest Trifle

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Author: Kate Walton
Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
Yield: 10-12 servings

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Description

This Best Layered Black Forest Trifle is an easy, no-bake dessert layered with moist chocolate cake, cherry pie filling, and fluffy whipped cream. A perfect holiday showstopper or party favorite, this trifle combines rich chocolate, tart cherries, and creamy textures for a visually stunning and flavor-packed treat. Ideal for make-ahead and customizable with Kirsch or fresh cherries.

Ingredients

1 chocolate cake or 1 batch brownies (baked and cooled)

2 cups cherry pie filling

2 cups heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chocolate shavings or curls

10 maraschino cherries or fresh cherries for garnish

2 tablespoons Kirsch (optional)

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Instructions

1. Bake and cool the chocolate cake or brownies. Once cooled, cut into small cubes or crumble for layering.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream with sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.

3. Prepare your trifle station with cherry pie filling, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and optional Kirsch.

4. In a clear trifle bowl, start layering: first a layer of cake cubes, then a layer of cherry pie filling, followed by a layer of whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

5. Repeat the layers until you reach the top of the bowl.

6. Finish with a decorative layer of whipped cream, topped with chocolate curls and cherries.

7. Chill the trifle for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.

8. Scoop into bowls ensuring each portion has a bit of every layer. Enjoy!