Rich and dark Black Forest trifle made with chocolate cake, sweetened cherries, chocolate custard, whipped cream. This decadent German trifle is an indulgent dessert both visually stunning and irresistibly delicious, with each spoonful offering a perfect balance of sweetness, tartness, and creamy texture.
Black Forest Trifle Recipe
This rich black forest gateau not only taste amazing but is easy to make as well. This is nothing but a black forest cake in a jar. You can serve this cold and enjoy.
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This trifle has a chocolaty base and the cake is soaked with syrup or rum. It is topped with a rich silky chocolate custard and then cream. This whole dessert is easy to make and taste amazing.
About Black Forest Trifle
Black Forest Trifle, a rich decadent German dessert which is a twist to classic Black forest cake. Trifle means layered desserts, rich chocolate cake layered with sweetened cherries, chocolate custard, whipped cream and shredded chocolate.
Black Forest trifle is one of the quickest and easiest desert you could ever make. Plus it is so tasty and light. Great for big parties or get togethers.
But I can assure you can finish this whole thing from start to finish in under 30 mins. I made this with just chocolate cake, cherries, chocolate custard and whipped cream.
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For special occasions, if you don’t want to make the elaborate black forest cake, you can make this easy trifle. It is simple to make and taste so decadent.
To make my life easier, I used store bought chocolate cake instead of homemade. But you can make any of my simple chocolate cake. Check my easy chocolate cake.
If I can source fresh cherries, I would have preferred that. Since I couldn’t find fresh cherries, I used maraschino cherries in syrup.
You can use fresh pitted, halved cherries cooked with some sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch and water till thickened. This can be used for the cherry filling.

To soak the cake I used the cherry syrup since I made this for my kids. But you can use any liquor like rum.
The custard layer is a simple chocolate custard. I used cornstarch, sugar, cocoa powder and cook with milk till thickened. I used salt, vanilla into the custard to flavour.
Once all these are ready. You can assemble this in a large trifle bowl or use individual trifle glass.

Ingredients
- Chocolate cake – use rich chocolate cake for making this trifle. You can make it from scratch of use store bought cake.
- Maraschino Cherries – I used cherries that is soaked in syrup. I used the syrup to soak my sponge. You can use liquor instead of syrup.
- Milk – use full fat milk for making the chocolate custard.
- Cocoa – unsweetened cocoa add the rich chocolate flavour to the custard.
- Cornstarch – in this recipe, cornstarch is added as thickener. You can use custard powder instead of cornstarch.
- Flavourings – a pinch of salt, vanilla is added as flavouring.
- Dark Chocolate – chopped dark chocolate is added into the hot chocolate custard and mix till it is melted.
- Whipped Cream – whip cream with vanilla and icing sugar till stiff. this is used as topping.

Step by Step Pictures
Whipped cream
1)Take whipping cream, icing sugar, vanilla extract in a bowl and use an electric beater or whisk to whip till thick and stiff.

2)Whip cream till stiff peaks form.

3)I used maraschino cherries soaked in syrup. You can use fresh pitted, halved cherries cooked with some sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch and water till thickened.

4)Since this cherries comes with syrup. Strain the cherry syrup from this. It is used to soak the sponge (chocolate cake).

Make Chocolate Custard
5)Take sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder in a sauce pan.

6)Mix it using a whisk till it is combined evenly.

7)Pour in milk and whisk until it is combined. Now place it on heat and cook until the mixture starts to thicken. keep whisking so no lumps form.

6)Once it thickens, take it off the heat and add in chopped dark chocolate.

8)Add in a pinch of salt.

9)Add in vanilla extract and mix well.

10)This is your chocolate custard. Place this in fridge so it cools completely.

Assembling Trifle
11)Take a clear glass serving dish. Place chocolate cake in the base of the serving dish.

12)Drizzle some cherry syrup on top of the cake.

13)Add in some chocolate custard on top of the sponge.

14)Add some cherries on top.

15)Spoon some chocolate custard on top of the cherries.

16)Place few slices of chocolate cake on top.

17)Top with whipped cream, chocolate shards, cherries. Place this in fridge and let it set for 2 to 3 hours. Serve.

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Black Forest Trifle Recipe
Aarthi
Rich and dark Black Forest trifle made with chocolate cake, sweetened cherries, chocolate custard, whipped cream. This decadent German trifle is a indulgent dessert both visually stunning and irresistibly delicious, with each spoonful offering a perfect balance of sweetness, tartness, and creamy texture.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Chilling Time 4 hours hrs
Total Time 4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine German
Servings 4 servings
Calories 1026 kcal
InstructionsÂ
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Take maraschino cherries soaked in syrup. Strain the syrup and set aside, we will use this for soaking the sponge.
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Whip cream with icing sugar and vanilla using an electric beater till thick and stiff. Spoon this into a piping bag fitted with star nozzle. Place this in fridge until use.
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Take sugar, cocoa, cornstarch in a sauce pan and mix well until combined. Now pour in milk and whisk well. Cook this on medium high heat till it thickens well. keep mixing all the time. Now take it off the heat and add in dark chocolate, vanilla, salt and mix until chocolate is melted. Set aside to cool.
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Now take trifle bowl or individual serving glass bowls. Layer cake on the base, drizzle some cherry syrup on top. Add some chocolate custard, cherries, more custard, top with some chocolate cake slices. Now pipe whipped cream on top. Decorate with chocolate, cherries, mint leaves and edible flowers.
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Place this in fridge and let it set for 3 to 4 hours. Serve cold.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Black Forest Trifle Recipe
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.



