There’s something utterly irresistible about a dessert that layers rich chocolate, luscious cherries, and creamy pudding. This Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe brings all those classic flavors together in a beautiful, easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for sharing—and trust me, it always disappears fast!

This dessert is shown in a tall clear glass bowl on a glass stand, placed on a white marbled surface. It has six visible layers: starting from the bottom, there is a dark brown crumbly cake layer, then a smooth medium brown chocolate layer, followed by a thin dark red cherry sauce layer, a thick white cream layer, another dark brown crumbly cake layer, and a final medium brown chocolate layer. On top, there is a thick white cream layer spotted with dark brown chocolate shavings, and fresh bright red cherries with green stems sit on the very top. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Black Forest Cherry Trifle isn’t just another dessert—it’s the kind of recipe that brings people together. I’ve made it for family gatherings, impromptu dinner parties, and even quiet nights when I want a bit of indulgence without the fuss.

Simple layering: It looks fancy, but it’s just a few layers of cake, pudding, cherries, and whipped cream—no complicated techniques.
Customizable: Whether you’re using homemade chocolate cake or a trusty boxed mix, or swapping kirsch for cherry juice, it adapts easily to your pantry and preferences.
Show-stopping presentation: Served in a clear trifle bowl, the colorful layers shine through, making it perfect for celebrations or any time you want to impress without stress.
Make-ahead friendly: You can assemble this trifle hours or even a day ahead, so the flavors meld beautifully and your stress melts away.

The image shows a tall glass trifle dish filled with six visible layers. At the bottom, there is a dark chocolate crumb layer with a crumbly texture. Above that, a smooth, light brown chocolate pudding layer sits evenly. Next is a glossy deep red cherry sauce layer with whole cherries visible inside. Above this sits a thick, white creamy layer, topped by another crumbly dark chocolate layer. Above that, there is another chocolate pudding layer, followed by a white whipped cream layer with a soft, fluffy texture on top. The whipped cream is sprinkled lightly with dark chocolate shavings and garnished with a pile of shiny, fresh red cherries with green stems on top. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface with some cherries scattered around and a glass of dark red juice in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe lies in its simple yet harmonious ingredients. Each one adds a special touch, balancing textures and flavors to create a dessert that’s both familiar and exciting.

Flat lay of a glossy chocolate sheet cake cut into neat cubes, a small white bowl of bright red fresh cherries with stems, a small white bowl filled with glossy cherry pie filling, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white bowl of smooth chocolate pudding, a small white bowl of thick cold heavy cream, a small white bowl of fine powdered sugar, a small white bowl of clear cherry liqueur, scattered dark chocolate shavings, and delicate chocolate sprinkles, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chocolate Cake or Brownie: I usually go for a homemade easy chocolate sheet cake to keep things moist and tender, but a good-quality boxed cake or brownies work just as well.
Cherry Pie Filling: The sweet-tart cherries bring that iconic Black Forest flavor. For an extra personal touch, I’ve made my own cherry pie filling when fresh cherries were in season.
Kirsch or Cherry Brandy: This adds a hint of warmth and depth, but don't worry—you can skip if you prefer a non-alcoholic version and just use cherry juice instead.
Chocolate Pudding: I recommend making homemade pudding if you have the time—it tastes fresher and less artificial—but store-bought puddings keep things quick and easy.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Whipped with powdered sugar and vanilla to create a luscious, fluffy top layer—fresh whipped cream really elevates the trifle.
Garnishes: Fresh cherries, shaved chocolate, and a dusting of cocoa powder or icing sugar add that final wow factor and texture.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to tinker with this Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe depending on the occasion. Sometimes I swap chocolate cake for fudgy brownies for a denser texture, or I pour in a splash of amaretto instead of kirsch for a different twist on the cherry flavor.

Variation: One time, I layered in some toasted almonds for a nice crunch—it added a great textural contrast without overpowering the classic flavors.
Dietary modification: For a lighter take, try using lower-fat pudding or whipped topping, but honestly, a bit of indulgence is part of the fun here.
Make it vegan: Use a vegan chocolate cake, nondairy pudding, and coconut cream whipped topping to cater to vegan guests.
Seasonal swap: When cherries aren’t in season, frozen ones work surprisingly well if you thaw and drain them thoroughly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe

Step 1: Bake and Cube the Chocolate Cake

Start by baking your chocolate cake—if you’re using a boxed mix, follow the package instructions, or try my homemade easy chocolate sheet cake recipe for something extra special. Cool the cake completely before cutting it into 1-inch cubes; this keeps the trifle layers neat and prevents sogginess.

Step 2: Prepare the Chocolate Pudding

Whip up your chocolate pudding next, either by following the box directions or making it from scratch. Let it cool to room temperature—hot pudding will melt your whipped cream layers and turn the dessert soupy, so patience here is key.

Step 3: Whip the Cream

In a chilled bowl, combine cold heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Start whipping on low speed, then ramp up to medium-high once the cream starts to thicken. You want stiff peaks—this ensures your trifle holds its structure and looks gorgeous when served.

Step 4: Assemble Your Trifle

Begin by layering half the chocolate cake cubes at the bottom of your trifle bowl—press gently but firmly. Drizzle half of the kirsch or cherry liqueur over the cake to soak in those flavors. Next, spread half the pudding, then half the cherry pie filling, and finally half the whipped cream. Repeat to create a second layer, ending with whipped cream on top.

Step 5: Chill and Garnish

Cover your trifle with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but I prefer letting it chill overnight to let those flavors get cozy and the layers meld beautifully. Just before serving, adorn the top with fresh cherries, shaved chocolate, and a light dusting of cocoa powder for that wow factor.

Top Tip

After making this Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe a dozen times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really take it from good to unforgettable.

Use chilled tools: Cold bowls and beaters help get your whipped cream to stiff peaks faster and with better texture.
Don’t over-soak the cake: The kirsch drizzles in gently; be careful not to drown the cake cubes or the trifle will turn mushy.
Layer thoughtfully: Press each cake layer down gently to avoid air pockets but keep it fluffy enough so the pudding and cherries can seep in just right.
Chill well: Patience is your friend here—letting it rest in the fridge helps the flavors marry and the trifle slice beautifully.

How to Serve Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe

Black Forest Cherry Trifle - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top my trifle with plump, fresh cherries and a generous sprinkle of chocolate shavings or chocolate sprinkles—they add a lovely texture and richness. Sometimes a light dusting of cocoa powder adds an elegant touch that guests notice immediately.

Side Dishes

Because this trifle is so decadently rich, I like to pair it with light, fresh sides like a crisp green salad with a citrus vinaigrette or some simple roasted nuts for a bit of crunch on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this in individual glass jars or wine glasses—which makes for darling personal servings and adds a bit of fun. Layering it in clear containers also lets the beautiful colors shine through, making it a natural centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep well covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. I always use an airtight lid or plastic wrap pressed gently onto the surface to prevent the whipped cream from drying out.

Freezing

I don’t recommend freezing the assembled trifle because the whipped cream and pudding textures can change unpleasantly. However, you can freeze the chocolate cake cubes or cherry filling separately to have on hand for quick assembly later.

Reheating

This dessert is best served chilled and does not require reheating. Just pull it out of the refrigerator about 10 minutes before serving so it’s not too cold to fully enjoy the flavor layers.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen cherries for this trifle?

Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw and drain them really well to avoid excess liquid making the trifle soggy. I’ve done this many times with great results, especially when fresh cherries are out of season.

Can I make this trifle ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, I recommend making it a few hours or even the day before. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together and the layers to soften just enough for perfect spoonfuls every time.

What if I don’t have kirsch or cherry brandy?

No worries at all—just substitute with cherry juice or any tart fruit juice you like. The trifle will still taste delicious and the cherries will retain their vibrant flavor without the alcohol.

Can I use store-bought pudding instead of homemade?

Absolutely! Store-bought pudding works perfectly if you’re short on time. Just be sure to let it cool completely before layering to keep that whipped cream from melting down the sides.

Final Thoughts

This Black Forest Cherry Trifle Recipe has become my go-to crowd-pleaser for good reason—it’s easy enough to make on a weeknight but elegant enough for holiday dinners or celebrations. The combination of chocolate, cherries, and cream feels like a warm hug, and I think you’ll love making it as much as I love sharing it. So grab your favorite cake, some cherries, and whip up this layered beauty—you’ll thank me later!