Description
This Halloween Trifle is a spooky and festive layered dessert that combines a moist black cocoa cake with vibrant purple vanilla pudding, creamy green-tinted whipped cream, and an assortment of fun Halloween-themed toppings. Perfect for Halloween parties, this trifle features layers of cube cake, colorful pudding, and fluffy cream, topped with crushed Oreos, mini chocolate chips, candy bars, gummy eyeballs, sprinkles, and candy corn for a hauntingly delicious treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 3 cups flour
- 2â…” cups sugar
- ½ cup black cocoa powder
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 3 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1½ cups warm water mixed with 3 tsp instant coffee
- 1½ cups buttermilk
- â…” cup oil
- 2 eggs + 2 egg whites
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Pudding
- 2 boxes vanilla pudding mix (3.9 oz each)
- 4 cups milk
- Purple gel coloring
Whipped Cream
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups heavy cream
- Green gel coloring
Toppings
- 2 cups mini chocolate chips
- 2 bags chopped candy bars
- Crushed Oreos
- Gummy eyeballs
- Sprinkles
- Candy corn
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Mix all the dry ingredients for the cake (flour, sugar, black cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt) in one bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the warm water with instant coffee, buttermilk, oil, eggs, egg whites, and vanilla extract. Combine the wet and dry ingredients until smooth. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13 inch pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely, then cut it into cubes.
- Make the Pudding: In a mixing bowl, whisk the vanilla pudding mix with 4 cups of milk until thickened. Add purple gel coloring and stir until evenly tinted. Chill the pudding in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Prepare the Whipped Cream: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add the heavy cream and whip the mixture until fluffy and stiff peaks form. Add green gel coloring and gently mix until the color is well distributed.
- Assemble the Trifle: In a large glass trifle bowl or individual cups, layer the cake cubes, purple pudding, and green whipped cream. Repeat the layers as desired, finishing with a generous layer of whipped cream on top.
- Add Toppings: Decorate the final layer of whipped cream with mini chocolate chips, chopped candy bars, crushed Oreos, gummy eyeballs, sprinkles, and candy corn for a spooky Halloween effect.
- Chill before serving: Refrigerate the assembled trifle for at least 1 hour to allow the layers to set and the flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cake is completely cooled before cubing to prevent it from breaking apart.
- You can adjust the amount of gel coloring to achieve your preferred intensity of purple and green.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute the cream cheese and heavy cream with suitable plant-based alternatives.
- Use a clear trifle bowl to showcase the colorful layers for a more dramatic presentation.
- This trifle can be made a day ahead to save time and enhance flavor melding.
