Grandma’s Chocolate Trifle Recipe posted by Staff Writer Pin Share Tweet Email Jump to Recipe Try my grandma’s famous chocolate trifle for a family favorite dessert made with layers of chocolate cake, pudding, Cool Whip, and Heath Toffee Bits. We gobble this up every time my grandma sets it on the table!-Ashton This recipe can be made with any chocolate cake recipe — or store-bought chocolate cake or cupcakes — for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert! Elevating Your Chocolate Trifle with Ladyfingers Grandma’s famous chocolate trifle is already a sumptuous dessert that layers rich flavors and textures to delight the senses. But to elevate it a bit, add ladyfingers, which not only introduces a delicate sponge element but also absorbs the surrounding flavors, enhancing the overall taste experience. I think Grandma would approve! The Role of Ladyfingers in a Trifle Ladyfingers, known as ‘Savoiardi’ in Italian, are light and airy sponge biscuits that are slightly sweet and have a dry, crumbly texture. When used in a trifle, they serve multiple purposes: Flavor Absorption: Ladyfingers are excellent at soaking up the flavors of the chocolate and any accompanying liquors or syrups, making each bite a harmonious blend of tastes. Texture Contrast: The soft yet firm texture of ladyfingers provides a delightful contrast to the creamy layers of chocolate mousse or custard and the dense richness of chocolate cake. Structural Integrity: They help maintain the structure of the trifle, keeping the layers distinct and preventing them from becoming too soggy. The Art of Serving Grandma’s Famous Trifle: A Guide to Presentation and Enjoyment Serving a trifle is as much about the presentation as it is about the taste. This layered dessert not only offers a variety of flavors and textures but also makes for a visually stunning centerpiece on any dining table. Here’s how to serve a trifle that will impress your guests and make the experience memorable: Choosing the Right Dish The beauty of a trifle lies in its layers, so selecting a clear glass trifle bowl is key. This allows the colorful layers to be displayed in all their glory, making the dessert as appealing to the eyes as it is to the palate. Preparation Before Serving Chill: A trifle should be assembled and then chilled for several hours, ideally overnight. This allows the flavors to meld together and the layers to set, making it easier to serve. Garnish: Just before serving, add the final touches. Fresh fruit, a sprinkle of cocoa powder, or a handful of toasted nuts can add texture and elevate the appearance. Serving the Trifle Spoon or Spatula: Use a long-handled spoon or a spatula to reach all the layers. Aim to get a bit of each layer in every serving to ensure a full taste experience. Portion Size: Trifles are rich, so start with a modest portion. You can always offer seconds to those who can’t resist another helping. Individual Servings: For a more formal or controlled serving, consider layering the trifle in individual glasses. This makes for an elegant presentation and personalized portions. Continue to Content Grandma's Chocolate Trifle Yield: 16 Prep Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes My grandmother's recipe for a family favorite. Layers of chocolate cake, pudding, Cool Whip, and Heath Toffee Bits make this the most incredible holiday dessert ever! We gobble this up every time my grandma sets it on the table. Print Ingredients 1 chocolate cake (roughly a 9x13 sized cake), baked and cooled 2 packages 3.4 oz. chocolate instant pudding mix 4 cups skim milk 16 oz. Cool Whip 1 cup Milk Chocolate Heath Toffee Bits Instructions Break up the chocolate cake into bite sized pieces in the pan. Set aside. Whisk together the pudding mix and skim milk until thickened. Place 1/3 of the cake pieces in the bottom of a trifle dish. Spread 1/3 of the pudding over top. Spread 1/3 of the Cool Whip on top of the pudding. Repeat for 3 layers. Sprinkle the Heath Bits on top of the final layer of Cool Whip. Chill for at a least an hour before serving. Notes to use any baked chocolate cake recipe you want! You could even use a store-bought chocolate cake or store-bought plain cupcakes. I like using my doctored-up cake mix recipe.My grandma's recipe calls for only one 3.4 ounce box of pudding mix. But I like for the trifle to be really moist, so I like to use two boxes. I also double the Cool Whip that her original recipe calls for.You can replace the toffee bits with Snickers or Butterfingers! There are probably other yummy substitutions, but those are two that I've tried and liked a lot. More of Grandma’s Family Famous Recipes If you loved this recipe for my grandma’s famous chocolate trifle, there’s a good chance you’ll love some of her other fantastic recipes! They’re not just popular in our family — everybody who tries them loves them. Date Balls Date balls are an easy, snackable dessert that will disappear quickly! Coconut Cake In some families, coconut cake is a Christmas or holiday favorite. Be sure to try this recipe that the whole family will love! Sweet Potato Casserole This one is a real crowd-pleaser! I promise you’ll love it. Grandma’s Red Velvet Cake Just look at that color and how perfectly moist the cake is!
