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!
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
- Chocolate Trifle
- Chocolate Toffee Trifle
- Chocolate Caramel Trifle
- Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Trifle
- No-Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle
Ingredient list
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 11x13 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.
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 ⅓ 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Recipe 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.
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Printable Recipe
Chocolate Cherry Trifle Recipe
Equipment
- Trifle Dish or Cups
Ingredients
- 1 box Devil's Food Cake (or any chocolate cake baked in a 13x9 pan)
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2 packages Jell-O Dark Chocolate Instant Pudding
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream sweetened with ⅓ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon 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
Instructions
- Bake your cake according to package instructions in a 9x13 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 ⅓ 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 most any festive occasion: Christmas, birthdays, church, potlucks, picnics, 4th of July, or bridal/baby showers.
Nutrition
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!
Angela M Lamson says
Can't wait to try this. How far ahead can I make this?
Erin Henry says
We hope you enjoy it, Angela! You can make it about a day a head of time.
Toni says
These are completely delicious and no one would guess they are really easy to make! Such a fancy looking and perfect dessert for the holidays.
Erin Henry says
Yes, Toni, that's the beauty of this recipe. It's easy but looks so fancy when served. It is the perfect dessert for the holidays!
Stephanie says
Loved, loved, loved this! Such a great dessert idea and unbelievably easy to pull together.
Erin Henry says
Easy and delicious is the way we roll! Especially with dessert. This recipe ticks all the boxes. Enjoy!
Suzy says
Really love the dark chocolate pudding in this! Such a beautiful dessert too!
Erin Henry says
The dark chocolate pudding adds a nice richness to the recipe for sure. With the bright red cherries, this dish is quite spectacular to look at on your dessert table.