Serving Details
- Yield: 6 servings
- Serving Size: 1 bowl per person
Recipe Description
This Iced Chocolate and Cherry Trifle is a deliciously indulgent dessert with layers of rich chocolate cake, juicy cherries, and creamy custard. A perfect dessert to serve at special occasions, gatherings, or to treat yourself! With its rich flavors, this trifle is sure to impress. The chocolate cake and cherry mixture complement each other perfectly, creating a mouth-watering contrast. It’s easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making it a great choice for entertaining.
Cooking Time
- Preparation Time: 25 minutes
- Chill Time: 4 hours or overnight
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes (including chilling)
Nutritional Information
Per Serving:
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 60mg
Ingredients
- 1 chocolate cake (store-bought or homemade, cut into cubes)
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup cherry juice or cherry syrup (optional, for soaking cake)
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese or cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for sweetening cream)
- Chocolate shavings, for garnish
Instructions
- Start by preparing your chocolate cake (if using a homemade recipe, bake it and let it cool). Once cooled, cut the cake into cubes.
- If you’d like to soak the cake cubes in cherry juice or syrup for extra flavor, drizzle the cherry syrup over the cake cubes and let them absorb the liquid.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, milk, sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth. This will create the chocolate cream mixture.
- In another bowl, gently whisk the mascarpone cheese (or cream cheese) with powdered sugar to sweeten it. Fold it into the chocolate cream mixture until smooth and fluffy.
- Layer the trifle in a large glass bowl or individual dessert glasses. Start with a layer of cake cubes at the bottom.
- Top with a few spoonfuls of the chocolate cream mixture, followed by a layer of fresh cherries.
- Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used up, finishing with a layer of chocolate cream on top.
- Cover the trifle with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is best) to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to set.
- Before serving, garnish the top of the trifle with chocolate shavings and additional fresh cherries.
FAQs
Can I make this trifle ahead of time?
Yes, this Iced Chocolate and Cherry Trifle can be made ahead of time. It actually tastes better after chilling in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight, as the flavors meld together.
Can I use frozen cherries?
Yes, you can use frozen cherries if fresh cherries are not available. Just be sure to thaw them and drain any excess liquid before using them in the trifle.
Can I substitute the mascarpone cheese?
Yes, you can substitute mascarpone cheese with cream cheese or even Greek yogurt for a slightly tangier flavor, though the texture will vary slightly.
Can I make this dessert gluten-free?
Yes, you can make this dessert gluten-free by using a gluten-free chocolate cake or brownies instead of regular cake.
What other fruits can I use in this trifle?
You can substitute cherries with other fruits such as raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries, depending on your preference and seasonal availability.
