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!
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!
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.
You will notice that there are several steps missing photographs. I don’t know if it was the fumes from all of the sugar, or the excitement to get this dessert finished, but this is really simple to make. 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 🙂 Since we’re on the subject, how do you feel about cake mix vs scratch cakes? Do you have a preference? Let me know in the comments 🙂
Enjoy!
Death by Chocolate Trifle
Print recipe
| Serves | 12 |
| Prep time | 20 minutes |
| Cook time | 20 minutes |
| Total time | 40 minutes |
| Meal type | Dessert |
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 3/4 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 3/4 Cups milk (coconut, soy, almond)
- dark chocolate candy bar (chopped or grated)
Directions
| 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. | |
Note
This was my first time making trifle, ever! 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.
This recipe will be partying at these link parties:
Sunday – DIY Showcase, Think Pink Sundays, Adventures in My Kitchen, Sweet & Savory Sundays, Swap and Share, Nifty Thrifty, Who Need’s A Cape, Monday – Mop it Up Mondays, Marvelous Mondays, What’d You Do this Weekend?, Show Me Your Plaid, Tuesday – Tasteful Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays, Two Cup Tuesday, The Tuesday Talent Show, Project Inspired, Time to Shine, Totally Tasty Tuesday, Linking Up With Lil’Luna, The Gathering Spot, You’re Gonna Love It, In and Out of the Kitchen, Tuesdays with a Twist, Wednesday – All My Bloggy Friends, LBC Cast Party, Wednesday Extravaganza, Wow Me Wednesday, Work it Wednesday, What’s In Your Kitchen, Wonderful Food Wednesday, Whimsy Wednesday, Wednesday Whatsits, What’s Cookin’ Wednesday, Wicked Good Wednesday, Make Bake Create, Show & Share, Two Girls and a Party, You’re Creative Timeout, Thursday – Thursday’s Treasures, Live Laugh {Linky}, Showcase Your Talent, Tasty Thursdays, Friday – Carole’s Chatter, Friday Favorites, I’m Lovin’ It, Freedom Fridays, Foodie Friends Friday, Friday Food Frenzy, What’s Shakin’, Peek Into My Paradise, Inspiration Spotlight, Foodie Friday, Saturday – Say G’Day, Tatertots & Jello, Saturday Dishes, Strut Your Stuff, Sweet & Savory, Cheerios & Lattes, Super Saturday Show & Tell, Finding the Pretty and Delicious, WCFS Awards Show
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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
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 🙂
I need to try this! I think individual servings at a party would be fun.
It depends on my mood for mix or scratch:)
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
Lisa- this looks AMAZING! Send one over my way, please. 😉 Yes, I am a chocolate addict.
Oh Lisa! You’ve got my mouth waterin’ like crazy! This looks absolutely divine!
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!
This cake looks yummy, and I love that it’s in mason jars! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!
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
Knowing me, I could probably shove down a whole pint of this…plus more 😉
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!
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.
This looks fantastic! You are my new best friend 🙂 Pinned!
Aww man, now I am craving chocolate bad! This looks so delicious!
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!
Oh my goodness! That is all I can say. I really wish I had this packed in my lunch for today. Hahaha.
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!!
Kill me now! YUM!
Ooooo, this is a GOOD way to go!
mmm, I think just looking has cured my chocolate craving today! Thank you for sharing on Foodie Friday
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!
Even the small jar looks like a huge serving, to me! 🙂
Oh my goodness. This looks like chocolate heaven. I pinned it!
This dessert looks delicious and decadent! And I love desserts served in a jar! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday!
Mouth watering! I LOVE CHOCOLATE!!! Thanks for sharing at Sweet & Savory Saturdays #26.
~Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!
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!
Wow! This look so amazing! I pinned it! Thanks for stopping by Saturday Dishes and linking up.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
Thank you Diane. You just can’t go wrong with chocolate! 😉
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.
Thanks Lucy, it really does make it taste better! 🙂