This easy black forest trifle is quick to prepare with a few simple ingredients like store-bought cake mix and cherry pie filling! It's a rich, decadent and delicious dessert with a creamy filling and moist chocolate cake!
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Black forest cake has really grown on me the last couple of years, I wasn't always a big fan but now I love the combination of a rich chocolate cake with a delicious cherry filling.
This chocolate cherry trifle is a fun spin on the traditional black forest cake and it's such a crowd-pleaser! I make it for dinner parties a lot and everyone loves the idea of making it as a trifle version!
Ingredients
- Boxed Chocolate Cake Mix (such as Devil's Food Cake)
- Butter (you can also use vegetable oil)
- Milk (you can also use milk)
- Eggs
- Instant Chocolate Pudding
- Canned Cherry Pie Filling
- Cool Whip
- Optional Chocolate Shavings (for garnish)
See the recipe card below for the ingredient measurements.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 - Bake the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. To a large bowl, mix the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, 1 cup of milk, and eggs together using an electric hand mixer. Pour the batter into a greased 9x13 baking dish and bake for 28-32 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely and cut into 1-inch cubes and set aside.
Step 2 - Make the pudding: In a separate bowl, combine and whisk 1 and ½ cups of milk with the instant chocolate pudding and set aside.
Step 3 - Assemble the trifle: In a trifle dish, add a layer of ½ the cake pieces, dollops of ½ the chocolate pudding, dollops of ½ the cherry pie filling, and then spread a layer of ½ of the Cool Whip. Repeat the layers one more time.
Step 4 - Serve: Chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving.
Storage
Store any leftovers in the fridge tightly wrapped in plastic wrap in the trifle dish for up to 1 week.
Make Ahead Option
This trifle can be made up to two days in advance and stored in the fridge to chill until ready to serve.
Related Recipes
Some other easy trifle recipes you may like is this carrot cake trifle, blueberry trifle with angel food cake, and chocolate easter trifle.
If you like black forest cake, then you should also try my simple black forest cobbler and 6 ingredient black forest cake too!
Some other cherry desserts with pie filling you should check out is this cherry pie with canned pie filling, cherry cobbler with cake mix, simple mini cherry tarts, cherry muffins with pie filling, and this cake mix chocolate cherry cobbler.
Print📖 Recipe
Easy Black Forest Trifle
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 15
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This easy black forest trifle is rich, flavourful, and the most delicious dessert!
Ingredients
- Boxed Chocolate Cake Mix: 1 box (15.25 ounces)
- Butter: ½ cup, melted
- Milk: 2 and ½ cups
- Eggs: 3
- Instant Chocolate Pudding: 1 small package (3.4 ounces)
- Canned Cherry Pie Filling: 1 can (21 ounces)
- Cool Whip: 16 ounces
Instructions
- Bake the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. To a large bowl, mix the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, 1 cup of milk, and eggs together using an electric hand mixer. Pour the batter into a greased 9x13 baking dish and bake for 28-32 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely and cut into 1-inch cubes and set aside.
- Make the pudding: In a separate bowl, combine and whisk 1 and ½ cups of milk with the instant chocolate pudding and set aside.
- Assemble the trifle: In a trifle dish, add a layer of ½ the cake pieces, dollops of ½ the chocolate pudding, dollops of ½ the cherry pie filling, and then spread a layer of ½ of the Cool Whip. Repeat the layers one more time.
- Serve: Chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving.
Notes
The box cake mix will call for vegetable oil and water (which you can use) but I use melted butter and milk because it makes the cake have a much better texture and flavour.
Usually, you wouldn't want to overbake a cake, but for a trifle it's actually better if it's a bit more baked then usual with less moisture, because if it's too light and fluffy it won't hold up well in the trifle and become mushy once the fillings are piled up on top of it.
If you're thinking about a garnish, shaved chocolate will look and taste great on top.
Nutrition facts are for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any errors. We have tested the recipe for accuracy, but your results may vary. Please note that this is not medical or nutrition advice. Seek advice from a licensed professional if you need advice. We are not liable for any damages caused by your use of this content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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