Chocolate and Cherry Trifle

• Preheat your oven and bake the chocolate cake according to the package instructions or your homemade recipe.
• Once baked, let the cake cool completely. Once cooled, cut it into cubes or crumbles.

2. Make the Chocolate Mousse:

• In a heatproof bowl, melt the chopped chocolate in a double boiler or microwave. Stir until smooth and set aside to cool slightly.
• In another bowl, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
• Gently fold the melted chocolate and vanilla extract into the whipped cream until smooth and well combined. Set aside.

3. Prepare the Cherry Layer:

• If you’re using fresh or frozen cherries, place them in a bowl and toss with sugar and lemon juice, if desired. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to release their juices. If using canned cherry pie filling, simply drain the syrup and set the cherries aside.

4. Whip the Cream:

• In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

5. Assemble the Trifle:

• In a large trifle dish or individual cups, start by adding a layer of chocolate cake cubes to the bottom.
• Top the cake with a layer of the chocolate mousse, spreading it evenly over the cake.
• Add a layer of cherries on top of the mousse.
• Then, add a generous layer of whipped cream on top of the cherries.

Repeat these layers as needed, finishing with a layer of whipped cream on top.

6. Garnish and Serve:

• For a finishing touch, sprinkle the top with chocolate shavings or chips and garnish with fresh cherries.
• Refrigerate the trifle for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together.

Tips:

• Chocolate cake: If you want to make it extra indulgent, you can use a fudgy, homemade chocolate cake instead of a box mix.
• Cherries: If you can find them, fresh cherries will give this dessert a fresh burst of flavor. You can also use maraschino cherries or even cherry preserves for a different twist.
• Whipped cream: For extra flavor, add a splash of vanilla extract or even a bit of almond extract to the whipped cream.

This Chocolate and Cherry Trifle is a decadent dessert that combines everything you love about chocolate and cherries in a visually stunning, layered treat! 🍒🍫