Chocolate trifle

Chocolate Trifle

I love making this dessert! I first made chocolate trifle many years ago when I was still a teenager and I remember it was before I had purchased my first electric whisk (yes, that long ago). Looking back now, I can’t believe it took me as long as it did to buy an electric whisk because I used to bake quite often and I remember just whisking everything by hand.

I decided to make a chocolate trifle for a family gathering because I had seen a video on YouTube and the recipe looked quite simple. Up until that point we would only ever make a traditional English trifle with the custard, cream, jelly and lady fingers. I was never a fan of traditional trifles so I was very much ready for a change.

The recipe called for brownies so I made a batch which were very dense and fudgy (not my favourite texture for a brownie). I whipped the cream by hand which took an absolute age to transform from heavy cream to whipped cream, but eventually it did. I think added in the rest of the ingredients and the cream became quite thin and runny but it did still taste good.

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Chocolate trifle recipe (super simple and no bake) #chocolate #trifle #nobake #dessert

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Assembling the Chocolate Trifle

I layered the thin, watery cream with the dense and overly gooey brownies and I can say, it was not the best dessert I’ve made. When I served it to my family, no-one really said too much about the dessert so I took that to mean that it wasn’t very good. I decided that the following year, I wouldn’t make it and would just stick to the normal trifle.

As I was helping to clear the dessert dishes away, one of my cousins came up to me and asked how I made the dessert and she said she thought it was delicious. Honestly, I was so overcome with joy because despite the simple recipe, it actually took a lot of effort to make.

It was then I decided that at the following family gathering I was going to make it again but this time I was going to tweak the recipe to make it better. I decided to use chocolate cake this time instead of brownies because it would be lighter and would complement the chocolate cream better. I also purchased an electric whisk and I decided to add the ingredients into the cream whilst whipping so they would be more incorporated. This also prevented to cream from getting too runny as well.

The second time I made it, it was a hit. Everyone loved it and they all told me so! I got so many complements and I was so please. I then started making it every year and I would make one traditional trifle as well. After a few times of making them both my mum told me to make two chocolate trifles instead because no-one really at the traditional trifle. This was a big wake up call to me because it made me realise that quitting so easily should never been the answer.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS CHOCOLATE TRIFLE RECIPE

• Rich and Decadent layers: Chocolate trifle is all about layers of indulgence. The moist chocolate cake, creamy chocolate pudding and if you’re feeling fancy, then a layer of chocolate ganache. Each bite each bite ensures a chocolatey and indulgent experience.

• Customisation: One of the great things about chocolate trifle is that it’s versatile. You can customise it to suit your preferences by choosing different types of chocolate, adding nuts, or including layers of caramel or toffee. You can make this dessert and tailor it to your liking.

• Stunning Presentation: Chocolate trifles are visually pleasing, especially when assembled in a transparent trifle bowl. The distinct layers of chocolate, cream and cake create a stunning display that will surely impress guests at any gathering or celebration.

• Convenience: You can make this dessert ahead of time, making it perfect for dinner parties and family gatherings. The flavours meld and intensify as it chills in the fridge making it the perfect make-ahead

• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: This chocolate trifle is a crowd-pleaser and perfect when you’re entertaining a large group. The combination of different chocolate elements appeals to a wide range of people  making it a reliable and satisfying dessert option.

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

Chocolate cake 

Double cream

Chocolate pudding mix

Sweetened Condensed milk

Chocolate bars (twirl)

TOP TIPS ON MAKING THE BEST CHOCOLATE TRIFLE

1. Choose Quality Chocolate: Use high-quality chocolate; whether you’re using chocolate bars, chocolate chips or cocoa powder. Opting for a good-quality product ensures a rich and deep chocolate flavour.
2. Select a Moist Cake: Choose a moist and flavourful cake for the base. I personally prefer chocolate sponge cake but brownies or chocolate pound cake work well too. The cake should be sturdy enough to hold up to the layers without becoming too soggy.
3. Layer with Chocolate Pudding: Use chocolate pudding mixed into heavy cream  as one of the layers as it will add a creamy and luscious texture.
4. Incorporate Whipped Cream: Using whipped cream will add a light and a luxurious texture. Sweeten the whipped cream with icing sugar and vanilla extract.

MORE TIPS

• Introduce Chocolate Shavings or Grated Chocolate: Garnish the trifle with chocolate shavings or simply grate on some chocolate. This adds extra chocolatey flavour and looks visually pleasing.
• Experiment with Additional Layers: You can enhance the trifle with additional layers such as chocolate mousse, chocolate chips, or chocolate ganache. These layers add complexity to the flavour and texture.
• Use a Trifle Bowl for Presentation: Assemble the chocolate trifle in a clear trifle bowl to show the stunning layers.
• Chill Before Serving: Allow the trifle to chill in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight before serving.  

RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Kinder Cheesecake – Kinder Cheesecake – My Simple Eats

Fruit & Custard Trifle – Fruit & Custard Trifle – My Simple Eats

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake – Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake – My Simple Eats

CONCLUSION

This chocolate trifle is a great dessert for when you have company. You can prepare it in advance and it is sure to be a crowd pleaser. You can customise the trifle and get creative with the layers.