Description
A decadent Black Forest Trifle featuring layers of rich chocolate cake, homemade cherry compote, stabilized whipped cream, and mini semi-sweet chocolate chips. This layered dessert is perfect for special occasions or a luxurious treat, combining classic flavors in an elegant presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Cake
- 1 chocolate cake mix, baked according to box directions for 9×13 pan
- 1 1/2 cups mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Cherry Compote
- 4 cups dark, sweet, pitted cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Stabilized Whipped Cream
- 8 teaspoons cold water
- 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Cake: Score the baked chocolate cake into small cubes and set aside for layering.
- Make Cherry Compote: In a medium saucepan, add the cherries. In a small bowl, whisk together water, cornstarch, and lemon juice to form a slurry. Pour the slurry over the cherries and set the pan over medium heat. Add sugar and stir frequently as the mixture heats.
- Cook Cherries: Bring the cherry mixture to a low boil and continue cooking while stirring often until the cherries soften and burst. Optionally, mash gently with a fork or masher to break up the fruit. Stir in almond and vanilla extracts. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Prepare Gelatin Mixture: Add cold water to a small saucepan, sprinkle in gelatin, and let it sit until thickened. Heat over low, stirring constantly for 3-5 minutes until gelatin dissolves completely. Allow to cool but do not let it set.
- Make Stabilized Whipped Cream: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat heavy cream and confectioners sugar until soft peaks form. Reduce speed and slowly drizzle in the cooled gelatin mixture. Add vanilla extract. Increase speed to high and beat until stiff peaks form.
- Assemble Trifle: In a large glass bowl or individual trifle cups, layer cake cubes, cherry compote, whipped cream, and chocolate chips. Repeat layers, ensuring the final layer is chocolate chips. Press down on the cake layer gently to make room for additional layers if needed.
- Chill: Refrigerate the assembled trifle for 2 to 24 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld and whipped cream to set.
Notes
- The whipped cream is stabilized with gelatin to maintain texture; alternatively, cream cheese or instant pudding mix can be used but may alter flavor.
- You can use fresh or frozen cherries for the compote; ensure frozen cherries are thawed before use.
- Pressing the cake layers gently helps create a compact, neat trifle.
- Chilling time can be adjusted; longer chilling enhances flavors and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
