If you’re craving something chocolaty, creamy, and just plain fabulous, you’ve got to try this Heavenly Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle. It’s one of those desserts that looks stunning in a glass bowl and tastes even better than it looks. Think fudgy cake, silky pudding, fluffy cheesecake mousse, and a bit of crunch from cookies—all layered up into spoonfuls of joy.

This dessert has become a staple at our family gatherings, especially around the holidays or anytime we’re feeding a crowd. I love that it’s make-ahead friendly, and people always assume I spent way more time on it than I did. Let’s dive into the delicious details!

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle

• Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone—from kids to grandparents—raves about it.
• Easy to Make: No complicated steps, just layering and chilling.
• Versatile: Mix and match with different cake flavors or toppings.
• Gorgeous Presentation: Looks beautiful in a trifle dish or individual jars.

What Is a Trifle?

A trifle is a classic British dessert made of layered cake, custard or pudding, whipped cream, and sometimes fruit or cookies. This chocolate version adds a decadent twist with cheesecake mousse and rich ganache. It’s simple, satisfying, and seriously show-stopping.

Ingredients

For the Cheesecake Mousse:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

For the Trifle Layers:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix (or 1 homemade chocolate cake), baked and cooled
• 1 cup chocolate pudding (instant, prepared, or homemade)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
• 1/2 cup crushed chocolate cookies or chocolate graham crackers
• Chocolate shavings or curls, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Bake and Cool the Cake
   • Prepare your chocolate cake according to the package or your favorite recipe. Once baked, let it cool completely. Then, cut or crumble it into bite-sized pieces.
2. Make the Cheesecake Mousse
   • In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
   • In a separate chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream and granulated sugar until stiff peaks form.
   • Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture gently until fully combined and fluffy.
3. Assemble the Trifle
   • In a trifle dish or individual cups, start with a layer of chocolate cake.
   • Add a layer of chocolate pudding.
   • Spoon in a thick layer of cheesecake mousse.
   • Sprinkle on crushed chocolate cookies.
   • Repeat the layers until the dish is nearly full, ending with mousse on top.
4. Finish with Chocolate
   • Drizzle melted chocolate chips over the top.
   • Garnish with chocolate shavings or curls for that elegant touch.
5. Chill Before Serving
   • Cover and refrigerate the trifle for at least 2 hours to let the flavors meld. It gets even better the next day!

Serving Suggestions & Variations

• Add Fruit: Strawberries or raspberries add a nice fresh pop.
• Swap the Cake: Use brownies or red velvet cake for a twist.
• Nutty Crunch: Add crushed toffee or roasted nuts for extra texture.
• Make It Boozy: Splash a bit of coffee liqueur over the cake for a grown-up version.

Pro Tips for Success

• Room Temp Cream Cheese: Soft cream cheese blends smoother with no lumps.
• Cold Whipping Cream: Chill your bowl and beaters to help cream whip faster.
• Don’t Over-Fold: Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese to keep it airy.
• Use Clear Glass: Show off those gorgeous layers in a trifle bowl or see-through jars.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerator: Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve overnight!
• Freezer: Not recommended, as the mousse may separate when thawed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this trifle the night before?
Absolutely. In fact, it’s even better when chilled overnight.

Can I use Cool Whip instead of whipped cream?
Yes, it’s a great shortcut that still tastes delicious.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be! Just use a gluten-free cake mix and cookies.

Can I use store-bought pudding?
Definitely. Instant pudding works great and saves time.

How do I make chocolate curls?
Use a vegetable peeler on a room-temperature chocolate bar. Simple and fancy!

Final Sweet Note

There’s something so joyful about a dessert that’s both incredibly easy and totally over-the-top delicious. This Heavenly Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle checks all the boxes—rich, creamy, chocolatey, and guaranteed to make any occasion feel extra special. Whether you’re making it for a party or just a cozy night in, I promise it’ll become a new favorite.

Heavenly Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle

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• Author: Sophia
• Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

A luscious, layered chocolate trifle with moist cake, creamy cheesecake mousse, chocolate pudding, and cookie crumbles—perfect for parties!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 box chocolate cake mix (or 1 batch homemade cake), baked and cooled
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
• 1 cup chocolate pudding
• 1/2 cup crushed chocolate cookies
• Chocolate shavings or curls, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Bake the chocolate cake and let it cool. Cut into pieces.
2. Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
3. Whip cream with granulated sugar in a chilled bowl until stiff peaks form.
4. Fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture to make mousse.
5. Layer cake, pudding, mousse, and cookies in a trifle bowl. Repeat.
6. Top with melted chocolate and chocolate curls.
7. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

• Use homemade or box cake mix.
• Chill mixing bowl before whipping cream for best results.
• This dessert is even better made a day ahead.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Layering, Chilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 38g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: chocolate trifle, cheesecake trifle, easy trifle dessert, make ahead chocolate dessert