Description
Spooky layers of chocolate cake, creamy pudding, and ghostly whipped cream come together in this Halloween Trifle that brings haunting delight to any festive gathering. Ghoulish guests will devour this playful dessert that celebrates the spirit of Halloween with each spine-chilling spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
Cream and Spices:
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Filling and Decorations:
- 1 cup (240 ml) pumpkin pie filling
- 1 cup (240 ml) chocolate pudding
- 1 cup (240 ml) crushed Halloween cookies
Instructions
- Preheat oven to temperature specified on chocolate cake mix box. Combine cake mix with water, vegetable oil, and eggs, mixing until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Bake cake according to package directions, approximately 30-35 minutes. Allow cake to cool completely at room temperature, which takes around 1 hour.
- Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar using an electric mixer until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 3-4 minutes.
- Create pumpkin mixture by blending pumpkin pie filling with ground cinnamon and nutmeg until thoroughly combined.
- Cut cooled chocolate cake into uniform bite-sized cubes, ensuring consistent size for elegant presentation.
- In a clear trifle dish or individual serving glasses, construct layers starting with chocolate cake cubes as the foundation.
- Spread chocolate pudding evenly over cake cubes, creating a smooth, rich layer.
- Carefully distribute pumpkin mixture across the pudding layer, maintaining distinct color and texture.
- Generously top each layer with whipped cream, creating soft, billowy peaks.
- Crush Halloween-themed cookies into small fragments and sprinkle over the final whipped cream layer.
- Refrigerate assembled trifle for minimum 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and dessert to set completely.
Notes
- Swap out regular chocolate cake mix for gluten-free or vegan alternatives to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Replace whole milk chocolate pudding with dairy-free versions or coconut milk pudding for lactose-intolerant guests.
- Customize cookie topping by using gluten-free cookies or homemade Halloween-themed cookies for a personalized touch.
- Enhance flavor by drizzling caramel sauce or adding chocolate shavings between layers for extra decadence.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 270 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg