If you’re a true chocoholic or just in the mood to spoil yourself and your friends, this Chocolate Trifle is everything you could crave in a dessert. Imagine luscious layers of moist chocolate cake, dreamy chocolate pudding, fluffy whipped topping, and crushed Heath bars for a satisfying crunch. Every bite dazzles with decadence, and the playful layers look as impressive as they taste. Whenever I need a surefire crowd-pleaser—whether for a casual family dinner or a glammed-up potluck—this Chocolate Trifle always steals the show!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best part about this trifle? You’ll only need a handful of straightforward ingredients, but each one brings its own magic to the bowl. The combination of textures and flavors is what gives this dessert its irresistible appeal, and trust me, these pantry staples do all the heavy lifting!
- Chocolate cake mix (15.25 ounces): Bake according to package directions—this forms the rich, spongy base your trifle relies on.
- Instant chocolate pudding (7.8 ounces, or two 3.9-ounce boxes): Creamy, velvety, and ultra-chocolatey—essential for those signature smooth layers.
- Milk (4 cups): Necessary to bring the pudding mix to silky perfection; whole milk adds extra creaminess.
- Frozen Cool Whip whipped topping (12 ounces, slightly thawed): Light, airy, and a dream to spread—it keeps things sweet and fluffy.
- Heath candy bars (5 to 6 bars, crushed): These add irresistible toffee crunch and just the right touch of salty-sweet magic throughout the trifle.
How to Make Chocolate Trifle
Step 1: Bake and Cube the Chocolate Cake
Start by baking your favorite chocolate cake mix according to the instructions on the box (usually for a 9×13-inch pan). Once it’s completely cool, slice it into small cubes about 1 to 1½ inches in size. Uniform cubes not only look great, but also make it easy to layer everything neatly in your trifle bowl.
Step 2: Make the Chocolate Pudding
In a medium-sized bowl, add the dry pudding mix and pour in the milk. Using an electric mixer or a good old-fashioned whisk, blend for about two minutes until the pudding thickens and becomes luxuriously smooth. This pudding is going to soak into the cake and create that melt-in-your-mouth texture that defines a great Chocolate Trifle.
Step 3: Begin Layering the Trifle
Grab your trifle bowl—or any large glass bowl if you don’t have the classic—and start by gently pressing half of the chocolate cake cubes into the bottom. This base layer is your foundation, so make sure you fill in the gaps so every spoonful gets some cake.
Step 4: Add Pudding and Whipped Topping
Spoon half of the thick chocolate pudding over the cake layer, spreading it out as evenly as you can. Next, add a generous layer of whipped topping, smoothing it over the pudding. It’s starting to look irresistible, right?
Step 5: Sprinkle with Candy Bars
Take half of your crushed Heath bars and scatter them over the whipped topping. Not only does this layer add deliciously crispy bites, but those little toffee bits also look gorgeous peeking through the glass.
Step 6: Repeat the Layers
Repeat the process with the remaining cake cubes, pudding, whipped topping, and finish with the rest of your Heath bars sprinkled liberally over the top. Layering is what gives Chocolate Trifle its show-stopping look and delightful variety of flavors in every scoop.
Step 7: Chill Before Serving
Pop your finished trifle into the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours (longer if you can stand the wait!). This not only lets all those flavors meld beautifully, but it helps the dessert set up for perfect, spoonable layers.
How to Serve Chocolate Trifle
Garnishes
You can absolutely stop after sprinkling candy bars on top, but sometimes I like to add extra flair with chocolate curls, a few dollops of whipped topping, or even some fresh raspberries for a burst of color. If you really want to impress, give the final layer a dusting of cocoa powder for a dramatic finish.
Side Dishes
Chocolate Trifle already steals the spotlight, but if you’re going all out, serve it after a lighter meal to balance the richness. A simple green salad or grilled chicken is all you need. For beverages, coffee, espresso, or even a glass of cold milk pairs perfectly with the decadent chocolate layers.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to mix things up, assemble individual Chocolate Trifle parfaits in mason jars or wine glasses for personal servings—super cute for parties! No trifle bowl? No problem. Use any large glass bowl, or even layer the components in a sheet pan for a rustic, scoopable dessert bar. The layers always look stunning, no matter how you serve them.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover your trifle bowl tightly with plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge. The flavors only deepen and get better with time. For best texture, enjoy leftovers within 2–3 days. After that, the cake becomes a little too soft, but trust me, it rarely lasts that long!
Freezing
While you technically can freeze Chocolate Trifle, I honestly don’t recommend it. Freezing changes the texture of the cake and whipped topping, making things a bit mushy once thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh or after a brief stay in the fridge.
Reheating
This is one dessert you don’t want to heat up. Chocolate Trifle shines when served chilled! If it’s been in the fridge for a long stretch, just let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving to soften slightly and maximize the textures.
FAQs
Can I make Chocolate Trifle a day in advance?
Absolutely! In fact, letting the trifle chill overnight gives the flavors extra time to mingle and the cake to soak up the pudding, making every bite even more decadent. Just keep it tightly covered in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
What if I don’t have a trifle bowl?
No worries at all—a regular large glass bowl works beautifully. You can also create individual servings in glasses or jars for an adorable twist. The layers will still look impressive and taste divine.
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip?
You bet! Freshly whipped cream (sweetened to your liking) makes a wonderful substitute for Cool Whip. Just make sure it’s whipped to stiff peaks for the right structure in your Chocolate Trifle layers.
Are there any other candy bars that work well?
Heath bars add that perfect toffee crunch, but you can definitely experiment! Try Butterfingers, Snickers, or even chopped peanut butter cups for a fun twist. Mix and match according to your family’s favorites.
Can I make this trifle gluten-free?
Absolutely. Just start with a gluten-free chocolate cake mix, and double-check your pudding and candy bars for any hidden gluten ingredients. Your gluten-free friends will thank you for this showstopping treat!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never made a Chocolate Trifle before, it’s time to jump in and discover just how spectacular (and simple!) this classic dessert can be. Every layer brings a new surprise and is guaranteed to win smiles from the very first bite. Give it a try, and let this trifle become your new go-to for every celebration!
Print
Chocolate Trifle Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Layering
- Cuisine: American, English
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate chocolate lover’s dream with this decadent chocolate trifle. Layers of rich chocolate cake, creamy pudding, and crunchy candy bars are topped with fluffy whipped cream for a dessert that will satisfy any sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake:
- 15.25 ounces chocolate cake mix, baked according to package directions for a 9 x 13-inch pan
Chocolate Pudding:
- 7.8 ounces instant chocolate pudding (two 3.9 ounce boxes)
- 4 cups milk
Additional Layers:
- 12 ounces frozen Cool Whip whipped topping, slightly thawed
- 5 to 6 Heath candy bars, crushed into small chunks and divided
Instructions
- Prepare Cake: Cut the baked cake into small cubes.
- Mix Pudding: Combine dry pudding with milk until thick.
- Layer Trifle: Alternate cake, pudding, whipped topping, and candy bars in a trifle bowl.
- Chill: Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- If you don’t have a trifle bowl, use any large glass bowl or individual bowls.
- For added crunch, sprinkle candy bar chunks between each layer.
- Chill overnight for enhanced flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 495 kcal
- Sugar: 54g
- Sodium: 874mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 77g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 13mg
