A Chocolate Cherry Trifle is a classic dessert that’s so easy to make. Layers of moist chocolate cake, creamy pudding, whipped cream, and sweet cherries make it irresistible for family and friends!

Try all our Chocolate Trifle Recipes!

Cherry Chocolate Trifle with chocolate squares in front

Want an incredible cherry dessert recipe that feeds a crowd like no other? This. Is. It. With a Chocolate Cherry Trifle (aka Black Forest Trifle), you get to enjoy layers of moist chocolate cake, creamy chocolate pudding, homemade whipped cream, AND sweet cherries.

Chocolate Trifle Recipes are where it’s at!

Look how pretty it is, too!

The combination of cherries and chocolate in a trifle is pretty incredible. It is a dessert that impresses guests, but they have no idea how easy it is to whip it together. 

This recipe is often called a Black Forest Trifle.

If you love cherries, try our No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake Trifle. So creamy!

More Trifle Recipes 

Ingredient Notes

There are only a few ingredients in this easy cherry trifle recipe, so it’s easier than it looks to put together.

  • Chocolate Cake – either homemade or boxed.
  • Chocolate Pudding – instant pudding, not cook and serve.
  • Cherry Pie Filling – this brings the lovey, sweet, tart taste to your trifle.
  • Whipped Cream – freshly whipped cream is the best!

How to Make A Cherry Trifle in a Cup or Bowl

Step 1 – Bake Your Cake 

The first step is to bake your chocolate cake according to package instructions in an 11×13 inch pan.

Once cooked, let the cake cool and then break it or cut it into 1-inch squares. This becomes the base of your trifle and soaks up the delicious cherry pie filling sauce. 

baked chocolate cake.
baked chocolate cake

Step 2 – Make Your Whipped Cream and Chocolate Pudding

While your cake is baking, make your whipped cream by placing the heavy whipping cream in a large bowl with 1/3 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.

Next, you want to make your pudding with your milk. Within 5 minutes, you have your chocolate pudding. See, isn’t this easy!

Pro Tip: Do not attempt to make your pudding with almond or other non-dairy milk. It won’t solidify. 

Pudding for chocolate trifle
chocolate pudding

Step 3 – Start Assembling Your Cherry Trifle

Now, it’s time to start layering the ingredients for your cherry trifle. We find it easiest if making individual servings to divide your cake into how many servings you’ll make (at least 6-8), and place half of each of those servings in the bottom of the cup, jar, or dish.

Amazon Pick: Mini Trifle Bowl, Set of 8

If using a large trifle dish, place half of the cubed cake at the bottom.

cake in a glass

Step 4 – Add Your Pudding and Cherries

Create the second layer by topping the cake with pudding. Make sure to go all the way to the edges with your ingredients to create a defined layer and then create a layer of cherries.

You can always make your cherry Pie Filling if you’re not a fan of canned.

How to assemble a chocolate trifle
pudding layer

Step 4 – Layer Your Whipped Cream

Next, create a layer of whipped cream (or Cool Whip), ensuring you spread it all the way to the edges.

whip cream layer of trifle
whipped cream layer

Step 6 – Repeat Layers and Enjoy!

Then, repeat all the layers (cake, chocolate pudding, cherries, and whipped cream) at least once more. Top this with a few more cherries and shaved chocolate if desired.

Refrigerate and serve your Cherry Chocolate Trifle when ready.

4 chocolate cherry trifles on the counter

Expert Tips & Tricks

  • The light and fluffy texture of Devil’s Food Cake is the perfect complement to chocolate pudding, but you could also use any chocolate cake in the recipe. 
  • Most recipes, including this one, are so much better if you make your own whipped cream that’s lightly sweetened. However, if short on time, grab a tub of Cool Whip. 
  • Trifles tend to look better if you make sure your layers go all the way to the side of your dish or cup and don’t have any gaps.
  • This black forest trifle is excellent for almost any festive occasion: Christmas, birthdays, church, potlucks, picnics, 4th of July, or bridal/baby showers. 

Can a trifle be made the night before?

Conveniently, one of the great qualities of this Chocolate Trifle with Cherries recipe is that it can be made the night before and stored in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

So yes, you can make a trifle the day before. It is best after the flavors have time to come together. For the best presentation, hold off on adding the top whipped cream layer until just before serving.

A top view of a chocolate cherry trifle

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Cherry Chocolate Trifle with chocolate squares in front
5 from 3 reviews

Chocolate Cherry Trifle Recipe

Servings: 10
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Cake Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
A Chocolate Cherry Trifle is a classic dessert that’s so easy to make. Layers of moist chocolate cake, creamy pudding, whipped cream, and sweet cherries make it irresistible!
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 box Devil’s Food Cake, or any chocolate cake baked in a 13×9 pan
  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 2 3.9 ounce packages Jell-O Dark Chocolate Instant Pudding, or regular chocolate pudding
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream sweetened with 1/3 cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla, or 24 ounces of Cool Whip
  • 1 can cherry pie filling, 21 ounces (more if you like it with lots of cherries)
  • Chocolate Shavings for garnish

Equipment

Instructions
 

  • Bake your cake according to package instructions in a 9×13 inch pan. Let cool completely and then break or cut into 1-inch cubes.
  • While cake is baking, make your whipped cream by placing the heavy whipping cream in a large bowl with 1/3 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat with mixer until soft peaks form.
  • For the chocolate pudding, follow package instruction to make chocolate pudding using whole milk.
  • If making individual servings, divide the cake into how many servings you’ll make (at least 6-8), and place half of each serving in the bottom of the cup, jar or dish. If using a large trifle dish, place half of the cubed cake in the bottom.
  • Create the second layer by topping the cake with pudding. Make sure to go all the way to the edges to create a defined layer and then create a layer of cherries.
  • Create a layer whipped cream (or Cool Whip), ensuring you spread it all the way to the edges.
  • Repeat all the layers (cake, chocolate pudding, cherries and whipped creaat least one more time. Top this with a few more cherries and a shaved chocolate if desired. Refrigerate and serve when ready.

Notes

  • The light and fluffy texture of Devils Food Cake is the perfect complement to chocolate pudding, but you could also use any type of chocolate cake in the recipe. 
  • Most recipes, including this one, are sooo much better if you make your own whipped cream that’s slightly sweetened. However, if short on time, grab a tub of Cool Whip. 
  • Trifles tend to look better if you make sure your layers go all the way to the side of your dish or cup and don’t have any gaps. 
  • This recipe can be made the night before and stored in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
  • This trifle is great for almost any festive occasion: Christmas, birthdays, church, potlucks, picnics, 4th of July, or bridal/baby showers. 
Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
 
Calories: 410kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 28g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 75mg, Sodium: 419mg, Potassium: 307mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 22g, Vitamin A: 858IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 206mg, Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @suburbansimplicity on Instagram or use the hashtag #suburbansimplicity!

This Chocolate Trifle with cherry pie filling is a wonderful idea any time of the year. Still, it’s terrific during the holidays because of how pretty, colorful, and festive it is. Enjoy!