Description
Delight in these Mini Black Forest Trifles, a layered dessert featuring moist chocolate cake, luscious cherry preserves, creamy chocolate pudding, and fluffy whipped cream. Perfectly portioned in small glasses, these trifles combine classic Black Forest flavors with an easy-to-assemble presentation, ideal for entertaining or a special treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- Cooking spray, for greasing
- 1 (13.25-oz.) box chocolate cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
- 3 Tbsp. kirsch cherry liqueur, divided (optional)
Pudding
- 1 (3-oz.) box instant chocolate pudding
- 2 cups milk
Whipped Cream
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (30 g) confectioners’ sugar
Additional
- 1 (13-oz.) jar cherry preserves
- Chocolate shavings, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare and bake cake: Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Grease a 13″ x 9″ baking pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, prepare the chocolate cake batter according to the box instructions and pour into the prepared pan.
- Bake the cake: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes in the pan.
- Flavor the cake: Use a fork to poke holes all over the cake surface. If using, brush 2 tablespoons of kirsch cherry liqueur evenly over the cake. Let cool completely.
- Cut the cake: Cut about half of the cake into 1/2″ pieces to use for the trifles. Reserve the remaining cake for another use.
- Make the pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and milk until it begins to thicken. Refrigerate until ready to assemble.
- Whip the cream: Using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat the heavy cream and confectioners’ sugar in a large bowl until medium peaks form.
- Prepare cherry layer: In a small bowl, mix the cherry preserves with the remaining 1 tablespoon of kirsch liqueur, if using.
- Assemble the trifles: In small glasses or jars, place 4 to 5 pieces of cake to cover the bottom. Layer with whipped cream, cherry preserves mixture, and chocolate pudding. Repeat these layers once more. Finish with a spoonful of whipped cream and sprinkle with chocolate shavings on top. Refrigerate until serving.
Notes
- If kirsch cherry liqueur is unavailable or preferred to omit, simply skip the liqueur steps; the trifles will still be delicious.
- Use good quality cherries preserves for the best flavor.
- The dessert can be made a few hours ahead and refrigerated to allow flavors to meld.
- To make the dessert dairy-free or vegan, substitute dairy ingredients with appropriate plant-based alternatives, though this will alter texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini trifle
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
