Description

If you’re craving a show-stopping dessert that’s rich, elegant, and no-fuss, the Best Layered Black Forest Trifle is your go-to. This sweet stunner layers decadent chocolate cake, luscious cherry compote, fluffy whipped mascarpone cream, and shaved chocolate into a glass trifle bowl for maximum visual and flavor appeal. Whether you’re planning holiday dinner ideas, craving a quick dessert, or searching for easy recipes for a special occasion, this trifle checks every box—it’s beautiful, bold, and bursting with indulgence. It’s also a great make-ahead option for when you need reliable party food ideas that never fail to impress.

Ingredients

1 standard chocolate cake (cut into 1-inch cubes)

2 cups pitted dark sweet cherries

0.5 cup cherry juice or syrup

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 tablespoon Kirsch (optional)

1.5 cups heavy whipping cream (chilled)

0.5 cup mascarpone cheese

0.25 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

0.25 cup dark chocolate shavings or curls

Whole cherries for garnish

Chopped walnuts or toasted almonds (optional)

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, combine cherries, juice, and sugar. Stir and heat until sugar dissolves.

2. Mix cornstarch with water and stir into the cherry mixture. Simmer until thickened. Cool completely.

3. In a bowl, whip the cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Add mascarpone and beat until fluffy and firm. Refrigerate.

4. Cut the cake into 1-inch cubes using a serrated knife for clean cuts.

5. In a trifle bowl, layer cake cubes as the base.

6. Add a generous layer of cooled cherry compote.

7. Spread a thick layer of whipped mascarpone cream.

8. Repeat layers: cake, cherry compote, cream, until the bowl is full.

9. Top with final layer of cream, chocolate shavings, cherries, and optional nuts.

10. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Always cool the cherry compote fully before layering to prevent melting the cream.

Don’t skip chilling the assembled trifle—this helps set the layers and enhances flavor.

For perfect texture, use fresh whipped cream instead of whipped topping.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 420
Sugar: 28g
Sodium: 180mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: Black Forest, trifle, chocolate cherry dessert, no bake dessert, holiday dessert