This Easy Black Forest Trifle is a stunning, decadent, and incredibly simple no-bake dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. This recipe layers rich, fudgy chocolate cake (or brownies), a tart cherry pie filling, and light, fluffy homemade whipped cream in a beautiful glass trifle bowl. Finished with a shower of chocolate shavings, it’s a show-stopping dessert that delivers the classic, sophisticated flavors of a Black Forest cake with almost no effort.
Perfect for a holiday gathering, a dinner party, or any time you need a dessert to feed a crowd, this is the ultimate make-ahead treat. The simple assembly takes just minutes, but the result is a stunning and delicious dessert that will have everyone coming back for more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Easy: This no-bake dessert comes together in minutes using store-bought cake and pie filling.
- Show-Stopping Presentation: The beautiful, distinct layers look incredibly impressive in a trifle bowl.
- Perfect for a Crowd: This recipe makes a large dessert, perfect for parties, potlucks, and holidays.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The flavors get even better as it chills, making it the ideal dessert to prepare in advance.
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz) Chocolate Pound Cake or a 9×13 pan of Brownies, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 (21 oz) cans Cherry Pie Filling
- 3 cups Heavy Cream, cold
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- Optional: 1/4 cup Kirsch (cherry brandy) or rum
- For Garnish: Chocolate shavings or curls, fresh cherries (if in season)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Components: Cut your store-bought pound cake or prepared brownies into 1-inch cubes.
- Make the Whipped Cream: In a large, chilled bowl, beat the cold heavy cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
- Start the Layers: Place half of the chocolate cake cubes in an even layer in the bottom of a large (3-4 quart) trifle bowl. If using, drizzle the Kirsch over the cake layer.
- Add the Cherries: Spoon half of the cherry pie filling evenly over the cake layer.
- Add the Cream: Spread half of the whipped cream evenly over the cherry layer.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the process with the remaining cake cubes, the rest of the cherry pie filling, and the remaining whipped cream.
- Garnish: Garnish the top layer of whipped cream with a generous amount of chocolate shavings and a few reserved cherries for decoration.
- Chill (Crucial Step): Cover the trifle bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the cake to absorb the juices and the flavors to meld.
Tips & Variations
- Pro Tip: Chilling the trifle is essential. It allows the cake to soften and soak up the cherry juices, transforming the dessert from simple layers into a cohesive, delicious treat.
- Shortcut: You can use two 8 oz containers of thawed, frozen whipped topping (like Cool Whip) in place of the homemade whipped cream.
- From Scratch: If you have the time, using a homemade, fudgy brownie recipe for the cake layer makes this dessert even more decadent.
- Add a Crunch: Sprinkle a layer of toasted, sliced almonds between the layers for a bit of nutty crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I make this ahead of time?
- Yes, this is the perfect make-ahead dessert. It needs to chill for at least 4 hours but is even better if made 24 hours in advance.
- How do I store leftovers?
- Store any leftover trifle tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be aware that the cake will continue to soften over time.
- Is the Kirsch necessary?
- No, it’s completely optional. It adds a traditional, authentic Black Forest flavor, but the trifle is just as delicious without it. You can also use a non-alcoholic syrup from a jar of maraschino cherries.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this Black Forest Trifle chilled, directly from the refrigerator. Use a large serving spoon to scoop deep into the bowl, ensuring you get all the delicious layers in every serving.
Easy Black Forest Trifle (No-Bake Dessert)
This Easy Black Forest Trifle is a stunning, no-bake dessert that layers rich chocolate cake, luscious cherry pie filling, and fluffy whipped cream for a show-stopping treat. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, it’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or when you need to impress a crowd—without turning on the oven.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut your store-bought chocolate pound cake or prepared brownies into 1-inch cubes. Set aside.
- In a large chilled bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the cold heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, then continue beating until stiff peaks form.
- In a 3–4 quart trifle bowl, place half of the cake cubes in an even layer. Drizzle with Kirsch if desired.
- Spoon half of the cherry pie filling evenly over the cake layer.
- Spread half of the whipped cream evenly over the cherry filling.
- Repeat with the remaining cake cubes, cherry pie filling, and whipped cream.
- Top with chocolate shavings and fresh cherries for garnish.
- Cover the trifle with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the chilling time! It allows the cake to absorb the cherry juices and creates the perfect texture.
Shortcut: Substitute homemade whipped cream with two 8 oz containers of thawed whipped topping for convenience.
Variation: Add a sprinkle of toasted almonds between layers for a nutty crunch.
Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
