This easy Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Trifle features layers of sweet chocolate cake, fresh raspberries, velvety chocolate mousse, and whipped cream. It's dreamy and feeds a crowd so well.
If you love the ease of trifle desserts, try our traditional Chocolate Trifle, cookie-stuffed Chocolate Chip Trifle, or always good Cherry Chocolate Trifle.
OMG! These little desserts are as good as they look! It's so simple to make Chocolate Trifle Recipes that you'll wonder why you waited so long. Your whole family will love them.
Layers of chocolate cake with creamy mousse, whipped cream, and sweet raspberries are a pure delight in a trifle bowl. We'd also say even a little addictive! It's a layered dessert that wows guests and tastes incredible.
Making a trifle is easy:
- First, start with a fluffy chocolate cake or brownie.
- Next, some pudding and/or whipped topping. You can never go wrong with whipped cream!
- Finally, a good trifle needs a fruit flavor or some sort of crunch. Think fresh fruit, toffee, cookies, or caramel.
The combinations are endless!
Jump to:
Why We Love the Recipe
- It's easy to prepare. No cooking skills are required!
- You can make the recipe ahead and serve it when you're ready.
- The recipe is large enough to feed a crowd.
- This Chocolate Raspberry Trifle is excellent for almost any occasion: birthdays, church, potlucks, picnics, holidays, or bridal/baby showers.
Chocolate Trifle Ingredients
You only need a few ingredients to make a Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Trifle Dessert:
- Chocolate Cake - your base layer is a fluffy chocolate cake or brownie.
- Raspberries - raspberries give the recipe a sweet flavor and punch of color.
- Raspberry Jam - to enhance the fruit flavor, raspberry jam is also used.
- Chocolate Mousse - we make it the easy way with chocolate pudding and whipped cream.
- Whipped Cream - for the creamy layer.
Substitutions for Raspberry Chocolate Trifle
Hey, if you're not a fan of chocolate cake, make this recipe with any of the following:
- Angel food cake
- pound cake
- brownies (you can totally make your own brownies!)
This recipe is also amazing with fresh strawberries instead of raspberries. Just substitute strawberry jam as well.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Most chocolate trifle recipes start with a base of chocolate cake. The one that gives you a moist and fluffy texture with a good crumb is a Devil's Food cake, but you can use any chocolate cake you like.
Step 1 - Bake Your Cake
Bake your cake according to the package directions in a 9x13-inch pan. Let it cool completely, and then break or cut it into 1-inch cubes.
Step 2 - Make Your Whipped Cream and Chocolate Mousse
While your cake is baking, make your whipped cream by placing the heavy whipping cream in a large mixing bowl with ⅓ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Easy, peasy!
If you want to save this step, you could purchase a whipped topping like Cool Whip instead.
For the mousse, in a separate bowl, follow the package instructions to whisk chocolate pudding using whole milk. Once the pudding is fully set, add 1 cup of whipped cream or Cool Whip and gently fold to mix.
The finished mousse should be fluffy and lighter in color.
Step 3 - Start Assembling Your Trifle
If making individual servings, divide the cake cubes into how many servings you'll make (at least 6-8), and place half of each serving in the bottom of the cup, jar, or dish. If using a large trifle dish, place half of the cubed cake at the bottom.
Step 4 - Layer Your Raspberries
To create the second layer, top the cake with raspberry jam and several fresh raspberries. Make sure the jam and fresh raspberries go all the way to the edges to create a defined layer.
Step 5 - Add Your Mousse and Whipped Cream Layers
Create a layer of chocolate mousse (pudding mixture) and then a layer of whipped cream (or Cool Whip), ensuring you spread them all the way to the edges.
Step 6 - Repeat Layers and Enjoy!
Repeat all the layers (cake, raspberry jam, raspberries, chocolate mousse, and whipped cream) at least one more time. If desired, top with a drizzle of raspberry jam and fresh raspberries.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate or serve immediately.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- CAKE OPTIONS: The light and fluffy texture of Devil's Food Cake is a great complement to delicate chocolate mousse, but you could also use any type of chocolate cake in the recipe.
- WHIPPED CREAM LAYER: Most recipes, including this one, are much better if you make your own lightly sweetened whipped cream. However, if you are short on time, grab a tub of Cool Whip.
- ASSEMBLY TIPS: Trifles tend to look better if you make sure your layers go all the way to the side of your dish or cup and don't have any gaps.
- GARNISH: Adding a finishing touch like chocolate shavings, fresh raspberries, or mint leaves to the top of your trifle can enhance its presentation.
- STORING: Store any leftover trifle in an airtight container for a day or two.
This is one of those easy desserts you'll make again and again!
Recipe FAQs
While some may try to preserve the layers of goodness to enjoy later, most trifles are good the day or day after they are made, and freezing isn't recommended.
Yes, you can use frozen raspberries instead of fresh raspberries in a Raspberry Trifle. However, make sure to thaw them in advance and be sure to drain them well to prevent the trifle from becoming too soggy. Depending on the sweetness of your frozen raspberries, you may want to add a bit of sugar or honey to them.
Yes, you can make a trifle in advance, and in fact, it's often a good idea to do so to allow the flavors to meld together. Making a trifle ahead of time can be convenient for planning and can also save you time on the day you plan to serve it. Place the assembled trifle in the refrigerator and allow it to chill for several hours or overnight.
So there are a few things to consider when purchasing a trifle dish. Durability and look, but also price. This Handmade European Trifle Bowl has us swooning with its delicate pedestal base, but it's pricy. You can't go wrong with this basic trifle dish because it's so durable and will last for years. This gracefully sloped trifle dish with a beautiful base is a showstopper at any gathering and won't break the bank but may not be as durable.
More Incredible Trifles
Love this Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Trifle recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5-star rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down.
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Printable Recipe
Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Trifle
Ingredients
- 1 box Devil's Food Cake (or any chocolate cake baked in a 13x9 pan)
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 3.4 ounce packages Jell-O Dark Chocolate Instant Pudding
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream sweetened with ⅓ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla (or 24 ounces of Cool Whip)
- 2 pints fresh raspberries
- 1 cup raspberry jam
Instructions
- Bake your cake according to package instructions in a 9x13 inch pan. Let cool completely and then break or cut into 1-inch cubes.
- While the cake is baking, make your whipped cream by placing the heavy whipping cream in a large bowl with ⅓ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat with mixer until soft peaks form.
- For the mousse, follow package instruction to make the chocolate pudding using whole milk. Once the pudding is fully set, add 1 cup whipped cream or Cool Whip and gently fold to mix.
- If making individual servings, divide the cake into how many servings you’ll make (at least 6-8), and place half of each serving in the bottom of the cup, jar or dish. If using a large trifle dish, place half of the cubed cake at the bottom.
- Create the second layer by topping the cake with raspberry jam and several fresh raspberries. Make sure the jam and fresh raspberries go all the way to the edges to create a defined layer.
- Create a layer of chocolate mousse and then a layer of whipped cream (or Cool Whip), ensuring you spread them all the way to the edges.
- Repeat all the layers (cake, raspberry jam, raspberries, chocolate mousse, and whipped cream) at least one more time. Top this with a drizzle of raspberry jam and a fresh raspberry if desired. Refrigerate or serve immediately.
Video
Notes
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- MAKE AHEAD: Make this trifle up to a day a head of when you'd like to serve it. Store it covered in the fridge until ready to serve.
- CAKE OPTIONS: Devil's Food Cake's light and fluffy texture is an excellent complement to delicate chocolate mousse, but you could also use any type of chocolate cake in the recipe.
-
- WHIPPED CREAM LAYER: Most recipes, including this one, are much better if you make your own whipped cream that's lightly sweetened. However, if you are short on time, grab a tub of Cool Whip.
-
- ASSEMBLY TIPS: Trifles look better if you make sure your layers go all the way to the side of your dish or cup and don't have any gaps.
-
- GARNISH: Adding a finishing touch like chocolate shavings, fresh raspberries, or mint leaves to the top of your trifle can enhance its presentation.
- STORING: Store any leftover trifle in an airtight container for a day or two.
Vicki Johnson says
The recipe calls for 2 boxes of pudding, but doesn't indicate what size boxes. 3 oz or 6 oz?
Erin Henry says
Good question, Vicki. You should use two 3 ounce boxes of pudding.
Carolyn McMahan says
Took to my card club today. Everyone loved it!!!
Joi says
In the recipe under ingredients should also be listed raspberry jam- went shopping and overlooked getting
Erin Henry says
Thanks for catching this, Joi. The recipe has been updated.
Lily says
Wow these looked so beautiful and tasted amazing. I have never been a baker and I am shocked to say these turned out perfect, we could not get enough. This is such a breast recipe for any even, this is going to my staple dessert now because of how easy it is.
Lily says
I meant to say "This is such an easy recipe for any event"
Sorry!
Erin Henry says
That's why we love trifles, they are so easy and make a beautiful presentation.
Stephanie says
Such a delicious dessert! There's nothing better than chocolate and fresh raspberries.
Erin Henry says
We couldn't agree more! A perfect dessert combo!
Ashley F says
Oh my goodness! The raspberry and chocolate are so good together! This was the best dessert ever!
Erin Henry says
This recipe is a classic combination of raspberries and chocolate that works for so many festive occasions.