Death By Chocolate Trifle is a layered dessert with chocolate cake, pudding, fudge, Oreos, and whipped cream topped with Heath candy bars. Always such a huge hit for parties or gatherings.

Easy Chocolate Trifle Recipe
This chocolate trifle recipe is so delicious and is a chocolate lovers dream. Just a few simple steps and a hand full of ingredients will wow your guests with hardly any effort. This is an excellent recipe if you need a dessert that can feed a crowd. We also show you how to make mini chocolate trifles for serving individual portions.
What is a Trifle?
A tradition trifle was originated in England back in the 18th century layering sponge cake (usually soaked in liquor), custard and fruit. Throughout the years, there have been a ton of versions of trifles that have been created.
I would say that Chocolate Trifle is one of the most popular. Everyone tends to love chocolate when preparing for a gathering and this trifle is a chocolate lovers dream! Trifles are so easy to make and perfect for parties. Everyone is always so impressed with the presentation and it takes little time and effort to prepare.
Ingredients Needed
- Cake Mix: You will need a chocolate cake crumbles for this recipe. This can be homemade chocolate cake or boxed cake mix (baked according to directions).
- Chocolate Pudding: Use chocolate instant pudding mix with milk according to the directions on the box if you are in a hurry. If not, make it extra delicious by making our Homemade Chocolate Pudding.
- Layered Ingredients: To make the dessert more filling and delicious, I like to use a layer of hot fudge sauce, Oreo cookies, chopped Heath bars and whipped cream.
How To Make A Chocolate Trifle
- Make the cake mix by following the directions on the box. Allow the cake to cool before crumbling and setting aside. Follow the pudding instructions to prepare. Crush the candy bars into small chunks and set them aside.
- In a 4-5 quart trifle bowl. Begin layer in the following order: Add 1/2 the crumbles of cake, 1/2 of the hot fudge, 1/2 the instant pudding, 1/2 the crushed Oreos, and 1/2 the cool whip. Continue until you use all of the prepared ingredients.
- Place the trifle dish in the fridge for about 1 to 2 hours before enjoying. I like to keep it in the fridge overnight for the best results. When ready, uncover and cut the health candy into chunks and sprinkle it on top.
Storing
Place the trifle into an airtight container for the best storage method. You can store this recipe in the fridge for up to 2 days. If it lasts any longer the layers will begin to blend together.
Make ahead: we prefer to make this chocolate trifle several hours ahead of time (or up to 2 days). That’s a huge bonus of making this for an upcoming gathering to save time. You can also make the chocolate pudding and chocolate cake for a few days ahead of time and store them in refrigerator until ready to assemble.
Variations
- Replace the chocolate cake with crumbled Brownies.
- Drizzle booze over the cake while layering and use 1/2 cup Kahlúa or Baileys Irish Cream.
- Replace the fudge sauce with caramel sauce (or use both).
- We love the Heath bars in this recipe, but you can also replace with chocolate chips or any other chocolate bars. You can buy a bag of Heath toffee bits instead of chopping the candy bars.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries.
Chocolate Trifle Tips:
- A regular glass bowl works if you don’t own a trifle bowl with pedestal. Trifle bowls do make a better presentation.
- Make individual parfaits for your guests. Just divide and layer between the mini trifle bowls making sure you show the beautiful layers.
More Trifle Recipes:
- Pineapple Trifle
- Strawberry Trifle (Quick and Easy)
- Lemon Blueberry Trifle Recipe
- Oreo Trifle
- Rainbow Cake Trifle Recipe
Death By Chocolate Trifle
Ingredients
- 1 16.5 ounce chocolate cake mix plus box ingredients
- 2 3.9 ounce boxes instant chocolate pudding mix (plus milk according to box)
- 1/2 cup hot fudge sauce
- 1/2 cup Oreo cookies crushed
- 1 16 ounce Whipped Cream Cool Whip, thawed can also be used.
- 4-5 Heath candy bars chocolate
Instructions
- Bake the boxed cake mix according to package directions. Let cool then crumble.
- Prepare pudding according to package directions.
- Crush the health bars into small chunks.
- In a 4 to 5-quart glass trifle bowl, layer in the following order: half of the cake crumbles, half of the fudge sauce, half of the pudding, half of the crushed Oreos, and half of the whipped cream.
- Repeat layers in the same order.Refrigerate trifle for 1-2 hours (or overnight) before serving. Uncover and top with chopped heath bars. Enjoy!
Leave a Review!
We LOVE hearing from you! Submit your question or comment here.
Your email address will not be published.
6 comments on “Death By Chocolate Trifle”
I made this with my grandson. We are still dying from eating so much! It was terrific. Next time I will try some of the suggested variations, so we do not “die” so quickly!
Today we’re making Jello Pudding Pops.
Thank you Elayne!
This was absolutely delicious. Hit all the high marks for one if the best desserts I’ve ever made
So glad to hear that Nancy. Thanks!
This tastes amazing!! Filled up more than my trifle to make a second in a large bowl. Time to make is misleading. Took a while to make everything and then to assemble it. Taking out the baking time of the cake, prep time is easily 30 minutes or more.
Thank you Tiffany!