This Ultimate Chocolate Trifle is a decadent layered dessert made with chocolate sponge, jelly, custard and cream. Each layer brings something different, from the soft sponge and fruity jelly to the smooth custard and creamy topping.
Finished with chocolate berries and a splash of blackcurrant juice, it makes an impressive dessert for Christmas or any special occasion. It can be prepared ahead of time too, making it especially handy when entertaining.
Creating the ultimate chocolate trifle
I have many different flavoured trifles on my blog already, but I thought there was definitely room for one more, and chocolate seemed like the obvious choice. So, I decided if I was going to make a chocolate trifle, I may as well go as chocolatey as I could!
I had a lot of fun putting this one together and finding ways to bring chocolate into as many of the layers as possible. The result is a very indulgent trifle that is made for chocolate lovers, and one I think would look pretty special sitting on the Christmas dessert table.
Can I use chocolate cake or brownie instead of sponge?
As with all trifle recipes, this chocolate trifle is super versatile. I will give you the guidelines of what I have done but feel free to swap out the berries, the jelly and even the chocolate sponge. Chocolate cake or brownie would be lovely but would likely make it even more rich so go gently.
What goes into this chocolate trifle?
I have used a store-bought chocolate sponge from the bakery aisle, which makes this super simple. You could also use chocolate log which is so delicious.
The combination here is two layers of chocolate sponge, blackberry jelly, blackcurrant juice such as Ribena (or a blackberry liquor if you prefer), chocolate custard and decorated with whipped cream and some Maltesers and berries. Delish!
List of ingredients needed to make my Ultimate Chocolate Trifle:
- Chocolate sponge or chocolate log/roll
- Blackberry jelly (made ahead before assembling this dessert)
- Blackcurrant juice or liquor
- Fresh berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries all are lovely)
- Custard (either pre-purchased from the store or made from scratch)
- Dark chocolate
- Cream
- Icing sugar
- Vanilla essence
- Maltesers
Preparing the jelly and chocolate custard ahead of time
There are two elements which need to be made ahead of time or overnight. That is the jelly and the chocolate custard. I like to make the jelly in a wide dish, so it sets around 1 cm high.
The chocolate custard is made by slowly heating a carton of pre made vanilla custard and the dark chocolate together until the chocolate melts completely. Then cover this with plastic wrap sitting on the custard so no crust forms.
Set both the jelly and custard aside until they are cold and set and you are ready to prepare the trifle.
How much chocolate trifle does this recipe make?
When you are ready to assemble your trifle have everything prepared ready to go. I use a large 3.5 litre trifle bowl. I like to fill it to the top! This is a HUGE trifle, so feel free to halve the ingredients or make smaller layers.
How to prepare the ingredients for layering
Whip your cream, dice the sponge, slice the jelly into cubes, rinse and prepare your berries and you are ready to go. I like to layer in a specific order but you can absolutely alter this too.
Some people even like to make the jelly in the bottom of the bowl with some berries the night before, that is a lovely idea, so up to you.
How to layer a chocolate trifle
Layer the diced sponge, drizzle over a little juice, sprinkle over the jelly and berries. Then spoon over half the chocolate custard, then repeat with the sponge, juice, jelly, berries and the remainder of the chocolate custard and whipped cream.
Top with some more berries, a few Maltesers then I grated over some more dark chocolate.
Then allow it to sit for several hours to allow the flavours to mingle and settle.
Other trifle recipes to try
If you love a trifle at Christmas time, I have plenty of other delicious versions for you to try. Trifles are such a lovely dessert for entertaining, especially as they can be prepared ahead of time and always look impressive on the table.
I have created a range of different flavours over the years, so whether you prefer something fruity, creamy or a little more indulgent, there are lots to choose from. Have a look through some of my other trifle recipes below and see which one you would like to make next.
Ultimate Chocolate Trifle recipe
Ultimate Chocolate Trifle
This Ultimate Chocolate Trifle layers chocolate sponge, jelly, custard and cream for an impressive make-ahead dessert that’s perfect for Christmas entertaining.
Ingredients
- 1 packet Blackberry Jelly, 85 grams* see notes
- 1 kg Vanilla Custard, pre made *see notes
- 180 grams Dark Chocolate
- 2-3 small Chocolate Sponges, 400 grams total
- 100 mls Blackcurrent Juice (or liquor)
- 500 grams berries, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries, rinsed
- 250 mls Cream (the type used for whipping)
- 1 tablespoon Icing Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 75 grams Maltesers
- extra Dark Chocolate, to garnish
Instructions
- PREPARE AHEAD the jelly and custard - allow 6-12 hours setting time
- Prepare the jelly as per packet directions in a medium bowl, then transfer to a shallow dish approx 25x25 cm and place in the refrigerator to set
- In a large saucepan add the pre made custard and the chocolate broken into small pieces and over a low heat begin to warm it, stirring constantly
- Ensure you use a rubber spatula so you can scrape the base and sides of the pan each time you stir.
- Continue to melt over a low heat until no lumps of chocolate remain and remove from the heat
- You can leave it in the saucepan or transfer it to a bowl, then place plastic wrap over the custard so it directly touches the custard so no air gets in or a crust forms.
- Allow the chocolate custard to cool completely before using, at least 6 hours.
- When you are ready to assemble the trifle use a 3-3.5 litre trifle bowl and prepare all the ingredients.
- Dice the chocolate sponge cake into 2-3 cm pieces
- Rinse the berries and slice the strawberries into quarters or halves if using
- Run a knife through the set jelly across and down in lines to create 1cm squares of jelly
- To make the trifle place a layer of the chocolate sponge pieces to completely cover the base of the trifle bowl firmly packed in
- Drizzle over half the blackcurrant juice (or liquor) evenly
- Sprinkle over half the jelly pieces over the sponge, then almost add half of the berries evenly
- Spoon half the chocolate custard over this and using a rubber spatula spread this carefully and evenly to the edges until smooth
- Then repeat the layers, add the chocolate sponge in an even layer, the juice, the jelly, almost all the remaining berries, then spoon over the remainder of the chocolate custard
- Spread the final custard layer evenly until smooth
- In a metal or glass bowl add the cream, icing sugar and vanilla and using electric mixer beat until soft peaks just start to form, then whip for 5 second increments until medium peaks form.
- Spoon the whipped cream over the chocolate custard layer and spread to the edges of the dish, then top with the remainder of the berries, some Maltesers and then grate over a little dark chocolate if you wish.
- Place the dish in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours to overnight to allow the flavours to infuse. You can cover it with plastic wrap carefully if you wish.
- Keep chilled until ready to serve
- Enjoy!
Notes
*Set the Jelly ahead of time, according to packet directions
*I use store bought pre made custard, it comes in a 1kg carton, you can make your own custard if you prefer - this recipe looks great! https://www.fearlessdining.com/dark-chocolate-custard
How big is your trifle bowl?
Mine is 3.5 litres.
Can I make my own sponge or cake?
Yes absolutely, I find the chocolate sponge lovely and light and not too overpowering which is why I have chosen it - and it is premade! However you can use your favourite chocolate cake or brownie if you prefer something more rich.
Remember!
Trifles can be so versatile, use mine as just ideas and make it your own to suit your tastes, you can change the juice, the jelly, the berries and more to suit your tastes.
Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 3454Total Fat 231gSaturated Fat 148gUnsaturated Fat 83gCholesterol 738mgSodium 1455mgCarbohydrates 314gFiber 6gSugar 278gProtein 25g
JustAMumNZ.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although justamumnz.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
I really hope you love this Ultimate Chocolate Trifle as much as we do and that this showstopper of a dessert becomes a favourite in your household. It is such a delicious dessert for Christmas and special occasions, and one I know I’ll be making again and again. I cannot wait to hear what you think and see your photos!
If you give this recipe a go, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you in the comments. You can also leave a ⭐ rating in the recipe card above, it really helps others find and enjoy this recipe too.
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Happy baking,
Anna x
Rosemary White says
Love it, thanku SO much!!