Black Forest Trifle Recipe
Introduction
Black Forest Trifle is a luscious layered dessert combining rich chocolate cake, tart cherries, creamy custard, and light whipped cream. This elegant treat is perfect for special occasions or any time you want to impress with a classic German-inspired dessert.
Ingredients
- 8-10 oz chocolate sponge cake or brownie, cut into cubes
- 2-4 tbsp kirsch or cherry liqueur (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or canned sour cherries, drained (reserve juice)
- 2 cups vanilla custard (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 large eggs (if making custard from scratch)
- 1/4 cup sugar (if making custard)
- 2 cups milk (if making custard)
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar (optional, for sweetening whipped cream)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder, for garnish
- Fresh cherries and mint sprigs (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the chocolate cake by baking a moist chocolate sponge or brownie, or use a store-bought one. Allow it to cool completely, then cut into cubes or slices that fit your trifle dish. Optionally, soak the cake pieces lightly with kirsch or reserved cherry juice to add moisture and flavor.
- Step 2: Make the custard by whisking eggs, sugar, and milk over medium heat until thickened, then let it cool. Alternatively, use ready-made custard for convenience.
- Step 3: Place a layer of soaked chocolate cake cubes at the bottom of a large glass trifle bowl or individual glasses.
- Step 4: Spoon the drained sour cherries evenly over the cake layer, allowing some juice to seep into the cake for extra moisture.
- Step 5: Pour a generous layer of vanilla custard over the cherries, spreading evenly to cover the fruit.
- Step 6: Spread a thick layer of whipped cream over the custard for a light and fluffy texture. If desired, sweeten the whipped cream with powdered sugar and add vanilla extract.
- Step 7: Repeat the layering process with cake, cherries, custard, and whipped cream until the dish is filled, finishing with a top layer of whipped cream.
- Step 8: Garnish with chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa powder. Add fresh cherries and mint sprigs if desired.
- Step 9: Refrigerate the trifle for at least two hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld beautifully before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For a non-alcoholic version, soak cake pieces in reserved cherry juice instead of kirsch.
- Use fresh cherries when in season for the best flavor, or canned cherries when fresh aren’t available.
- Try adding a layer of crushed amaretti cookies for extra texture and flavor.
- Prepare custard a day ahead to save time and enhance its taste.
Storage
Store the assembled trifle covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavors develop beautifully overnight. Reheat is not recommended; serve chilled for best texture and taste.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the trifle ahead of time?
Yes, in fact chilling the trifle for a few hours or overnight improves the flavor as the layers meld together.
What can I use instead of kirsch?
If you prefer to avoid alcohol, substitute kirsch with reserved cherry juice or a cherry-flavored syrup to keep moisture and flavor in the cake layers.
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Black Forest Trifle Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Black Forest Trifle is a luscious layered dessert combining moist chocolate sponge cake, tart cherries, creamy vanilla custard, and fluffy whipped cream. Perfect for special occasions or a decadent treat, it offers the classic flavors of a Black Forest cake in an easy-to-assemble and visually stunning trifle presentation. The dessert is chilled to meld the flavors beautifully before serving.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Cake Layer
- 1 chocolate sponge cake or brownie (about 8–10 oz), cut into cubes
- 2–4 tbsp kirsch or cherry liqueur (optional)
Cherry Layer
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or canned sour cherries, drained with juice reserved
Vanilla Custard
- 2 cups vanilla custard (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 large eggs (if making custard from scratch)
- 1/4 cup sugar (if making custard)
- 2 cups milk (if making custard)
Whipped Cream
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar (optional, for sweetening whipped cream)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Garnish
- Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder, for garnish
- Fresh cherries and mint sprigs (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chocolate Cake: Bake a chocolate sponge cake or brownie or use a store-bought one. Allow it to cool completely, then cut into cubes or slices that will fit well into your trifle dish. Optionally, lightly soak the cake pieces with kirsch or cherry juice to add moisture and authentic flavor.
- Make the Custard: If making from scratch, whisk eggs, sugar, and milk in a saucepan over medium heat until the custard thickens. Remove from heat and let cool. Alternatively, use high-quality prepared vanilla custard for ease.
- Arrange the First Layer: Place a layer of the soaked chocolate cake cubes at the bottom of a large glass trifle bowl or individual serving glasses.
- Add a Cherry Layer: Spoon tart cherries evenly over the cake layer, allowing some cherry juice to seep into the cake to enhance moisture and flavor.
- Pour Custard Over Cherries: Gently pour a generous layer of vanilla custard over the cherries, spreading it to cover the fruit evenly without disturbing the layers beneath.
- Add Whipped Cream: Spread a thick layer of freshly whipped cream over the custard layer for a light and fluffy finishing touch.
- Repeat Layers: Continue layering cake, cherries, custard, and whipped cream until the trifle dish or glasses are filled, finishing with a top layer of whipped cream.
- Garnish and Chill: Sprinkle chocolate shavings or dust with cocoa powder over the top layer of whipped cream. Optionally, add fresh cherries and mint sprigs for garnish. Refrigerate the trifle for at least two hours or overnight to let the flavors meld beautifully before serving.
Notes
- Kirsch or cherry liqueur is optional but adds authentic Black Forest flavor and moistens the cake.
- You can use canned sour cherries with their juice if fresh cherries are not available.
- For convenience, use store-bought vanilla custard or pudding mix instead of making custard from scratch.
- Whipped cream can be lightly sweetened with powdered sugar and flavored with vanilla extract if desired.
- Chilling the trifle is important to allow the layers to blend and the dessert to firm up for cleaner servings.
- This dessert can be prepared a day in advance, making it ideal for entertaining.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: German
Keywords: Black Forest trifle, chocolate dessert, layered dessert, cherry custard trifle, easy trifle recipe
