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I have never made anything quite like this Death by Chocolate Trifle before! It is so rich, and creamy, and insanely chocolaty that you need to wash it down with a tall glass of milk! As you probably know, I can't do that 🙁 Okay, so a few weeks ago Jamie from Love Bakes Good Cakes shared her Death by Chocolate Poke Cake, and I could not get it out of my head! I went to the store to buy the ingredients to make it myself, but there was a problem with that concept.
First, chocolate ice cream toppings all contain dairy. Fine, I will just make my own. Second, Cool Whip contains dairy. Did you know that? I did not know that! I honestly thought that it was a non-dairy topping. This is not going at all as I had planned 🙁
I knew I was going to have to get very creative now! So...cake mix...dairy-free. Pudding mix...dairy-free. Chocolate syrup...make from scratch. Chocolate whipped topping...coconut cream...perfect!
How to make Death by Chocolate Trifle:
Chocolate Cake Base:
Chocolate Pudding:
Chocolate Syrup:
Chocolate Whipped Topping:
Oh, you're probably wondering about the jars. I have never made a dessert in jars before...crazy right? I had also never made a poke cake before...yes, I do feel deprived. All of the stores are selling jars for canning and I just couldn't resist! I bought a couple of different sizes and decided to make trifle. I am going to tell you right now, the pint jars are WAY TOO BIG for this trifle!
Notes:
- That is an insane amount of chocolate for one serving! My suggestion, is to use the 1/2 pint jars or a small glass. This recipe will make (12) 1/2 pint jars and still leave you with some cake left over.
- The exact proportions will depend on the size of your jar/glass, so just eyeball it. I may need to post all salads next week to make up for this one dessert!!!
- Did you notice that I used a cake mix for this recipe? If that terrifies you, just substitute this Chocolate Cake recipe and use water instead of espresso. 🙂
More delicious chocolate recipes:
Instant Pot Chocolate Lava Cakes
Chocolate Spoon Fudge in a Jar
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake
Double Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
Enjoy!!
Death by Chocolate Trifle
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake Base
- 1 Package dark chocolate cake mix
- 1 Tablespoon espresso powder optional, to enhance chocolate flavor
- ingredients listed on the box to make the cake oil, water, eggs
Chocolate Pudding Layer
- 3.4 ounce package devil's food instant pudding
- 1 ¾ cup milk coconut, soy, almond
Chocolate Syrup
- 1 cup full fat coconut milk shake well before opening - can substitute heavy cream
- 12 ounces bittersweet chocolate
- 2 Tablespoons Crisco shortening
Chocolate Whipped Topping
- 1 cup solid full-fat coconut cream from the top of a cold can of coconut milk
- 3.4 ounce package devil's food instant pudding
- 1 ¾ cups milk coconut, soy, almond
- dark chocolate candy bar chopped or grated
Instructions
Chocolate Cake Base:
- Bake your chocolate cake according to the package directions. Set aside to cool.
Chocolate Pudding:
- In a large bowl, beat together pudding mix and milk. Place in refrigerator until ready to use.
Chocolate Syrup:
- Melt bittersweet chocolate, coconut milk, and shortening in the microwave for 1 minutes on HIGH. Stir together until smooth. Heat in 15 second intervals if chocolate is not melted. Set aside.
Chocolate Whipped Topping:
- Beat chocolate pudding mix and milk together as directed on package. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat the solid coconut cream until fluffy and smooth. Add the chocolate pudding mixture and beat to combine.
- Cut cooled cake into chunks and place in a glass or jar.
- Using a spoon, add a layer of chocolate pudding on top of cake chunks.
- Add a layer of chocolate syrup.
- Cover with chocolate whipped topping.
- Garnish with chopped/grated chocolate bar.
- Serve.
Notes
- I used (4) 1 pint jars and (4) 1/2 pint jars and still had half of the cake leftover.
- 1 pint jars are too big for this dessert, in my opinion. Next time I will use (12) 1/2 pint jars or some kind of small glass.
- Nutrition Facts do not include the ingredients needed to prepare the cake.
Suzan says
OMG that looks good enough to have a PINT of it LOL -
I have no control - none whatsoever when it comes to chocolate!
Have a wonderful weekend,
xxx
Becca from ItsYummi.com says
I have no self control at ALL... that pint sized container would be empty within 10 minutes! LOL
I've never made anything in jars, but I suppose it's nice for gift giving and such. Oh...in regards to your box vs scratch cake mix question. I admit to be a bit of a scratch snob, but it's really just because I HATE artificial flavors and colors and GMOs and all that nastiness that comes in a box. It's really not hard to bake from scratch... just a bit more time consuming.
That being said, I have been known to doctor up a cake mix in an emergency, and I certainly won't fault anyone who wants to use one 🙂
Carli says
I need to try this! I think individual servings at a party would be fun.
It depends on my mood for mix or scratch:)
Catherine says
Dear Lisa, I don't think there is any better way to! This looks so rich and delicious....I'd be in heaven with this dessert. Blessings, your friend, Catherine xo
Carrie @ Frugal Foodie Mama says
Lisa- this looks AMAZING! Send one over my way, please. 😉 Yes, I am a chocolate addict.
Lori @ A Pinch of Glitter says
Oh Lisa! You've got my mouth waterin' like crazy! This looks absolutely divine!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
I would need two jars - one for now and one for later. 🙂 HA!! Thanks for the shout-out, Lisa 🙂 I had no idea about the whipped topping containing dairy! Idk why, but I always assumed it was dairy-free. So glad you turned this into something that would work for you and shared it! This totally rocks and with all that chocolate it has to be good! 🙂 Pinned it!
Ericka says
This cake looks yummy, and I love that it's in mason jars! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!
Claire @ A Little Claireification says
Oh wow - you were NOT kidding about how insanely chocolately this is!! But I want one now, mmmK?? Yum. Pinning!
Oh, and cake mix or from scratch mix - I think they are both good for different things! 🙂
xo
Melanie @ Just Some Salt and Pepper says
Knowing me, I could probably shove down a whole pint of this...plus more 😉
Brenda Young says
Lisa..... Now I need some chocolate! never made trifles before, looks divine! I was brought up on good ole homemade baked goods so thats my preference anyday! I cannot stand store bought cakes, why even bother eating those calories on something that simply does not satisfy, right? Nothing's as good as home cookin!
Dawn ~ Spatulas On Parade says
A pint jar would be too big but I might make myself sick trying to eat it all! YUM girl, this is FABulous. I can't use milk either. When a recipes says milk, I just use Almond Milk.
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
This looks fantastic! You are my new best friend 🙂 Pinned!
Nicole says
Aww man, now I am craving chocolate bad! This looks so delicious!
Cynthia L. says
Another wonderful recipe! This really would kill me, but I would die with a smile on my face!
Thanks for sharing a the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party!
Nat D. says
Oh my goodness! That is all I can say. I really wish I had this packed in my lunch for today. Hahaha.
Inspire Me Heather says
That trifle looks great! I'll have to pass this one to hubby - he's the baker and I'm the cook (works for me!!). Thanks for your recipe, I'm Pinning it for keepers!!
Diana Rambles says
Kill me now! YUM!
Lyuba@willcookforsmiles says
Ooooo, this is a GOOD way to go!
Adelina Priddis says
mmm, I think just looking has cured my chocolate craving today! Thank you for sharing on Foodie Friday
Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says
Kill me now....this looks amazing ~ what a way to go!
Pinning ~ hugs, Mary Beth
{that sounds like the hug hurts, doesn't it....not pinning you with hugs....pinning and hugging}
Have a great one!
Rachel Cotterill says
Even the small jar looks like a huge serving, to me! 🙂
Kennedy says
Oh my goodness. This looks like chocolate heaven. I pinned it!
Ericka says
This dessert looks delicious and decadent! And I love desserts served in a jar! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
Mouth watering! I LOVE CHOCOLATE!!! Thanks for sharing at Sweet & Savory Saturdays #26.
~Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!
Rachel @ I Love My Disorganized Life says
This is wonderful! I love chocolate, and when I die, THIS is how I want to go, on a belly full of Death by Chocolate! Thanks for sharing at Wicked Good Wednesdays!
Diane Roark says
Wow! This look so amazing! I pinned it! Thanks for stopping by Saturday Dishes and linking up.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
Lisa Johnson says
Thank you Diane. You just can't go wrong with chocolate! 😉
Lucy says
Wow! Look at all that chocolate goodness!! I bet the espresso powder does enhance the flavor. Thanks so much for sharing at Saturday Dishes! Hope to see you again this weekend. Pinning.
Lisa Johnson says
Thanks Lucy, it really does make it taste better! 🙂