• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Work With Me
  • Contact

CPA: Certified Pastry Aficionado

Mocha Trifle

dessert
December 15, 2022

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Mocha Trifle– A layered trifle with coffee vanilla pudding, dark chocolate cake, and whipped cream and topped with crushed almond biscotti.

photo of mocha trifle from the side to see all the layers

Today’s treat is my newest creation. It combines two of my favorite flavors – coffee and chocolate. These two flavors compliment each other soooo well. The coffee and chocolate leave a smooth, balanced flavor in your mouth and both ingredients lose any hint of bitterness. It’s truly magical.

Many times, I see these flavors in drinks or cakes. But why not try them in a more layered treat like a trifle? I like having desserts in this way so I can taste each layer distinctly.

But before we get into the recipe any further, let’s look at my Mocha Trifle!

close up of top of the mocha trifle
further away look at a mochia trifle with serving bowls on the side
bowl of mocha trifle sitting on a teal napkin

Making a trifle

A trifle is just a layered dessert. I think a good trifle has a variety of textures and flavors. Some might have fruit, cake, pudding, whipped cream, cookies, custard, jam, etc. For this mocha trifle, I use just three layers:

  • Dark chocolate cake – I include a recipe for a great dark chocolate cake that is made from scratch. But feel free to use your own recipe or a store-bought cake, if you need to cut the prep time down
  • Coffee vanilla pudding – This pudding is made by adding in coffee to a vanilla pudding. It’s prepared instantly so it really can’t be any easier.
  • Whipped cream – This whipped cream is made from scratch. There is no substitution for this – homemade whipped cream is just so incredible.

To finish off the trifle, I crushed some almond biscotti and sprinkled it over the top. I love that hint of crunch that it adds. Plus almond flavor also pairs well with coffee and chocolate so it’s the perfect addition.

Tips & Tricks

  1. Use cold coffee. Brewed coffee is used in the coffee and the pudding. Make sure you’ve allowed the coffee to cool before using in either recipe. For the pudding, it’s even better if the coffee is cold so that the pudding sets up quicker.
  2. Cool the cake. The cake must be cooled before slicing and placing in the trifle. If it’s warm, the whipped cream will melt and no longer whipped and fluffy. I like to let me cake cool 15 mins in the pan and then remove it from the pan to cool for another 30 minutes. Finally, I slice it and let it get to room temperature before adding to the trifle.
  3. Instant pudding. There is no need to make pudding from scratch. Instant pudding works just as well and saves you tons of time and effort.
  4. Make ahead. The best thing about the trifle is that it gets better the longer it sits. So I like to make mine the day before I plan to serve it. Trust me – it really makes a difference.
Print Recipe

Mocha Trifle

Prep Time30 mins
Cook Time50 mins
Cooling time:1 hr
Total Time2 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

For the trifle:
  • 2 3-ounce packages instant vanilla pudding
  • 2¼ cups whole milk cold
  • 1 cup brewed coffee chilled
  • 1 pint heavy cream
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 almond biscotti or 4 mini
For the cake:
  • 1⅓ cup flour
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened dark chocolate cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ⅔ cup canola oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cup brewed coffee
  • ⅔ cup sour cream

Instructions

To assemble the trifle:
  • Make pudding by mixing both packages with cold milk and cold brewed coffee. Whisk to combine until it's thickened. Place in the fridge to thicken a little more until we need it.
  • Make whipped cream by adding heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla to the bowl of a mixer. Beat with whisk attachment until thickened and stiff peaks form. Set aside.
  • Remove cooled cake from pan and cut into 1-inch cubes (see below for making the cake). Layer 1/2 of the cubes on the bottom of a trifle dish. Layer 1/2 of the prepared coffee vanilla pudding over the cake making sure that the cake is completely covered. Layer 1/2 of the whipped cream over the pudding, completely sealing it in.
  • Repeat layers. Crush the almond biscotti into small pieces. Sprinkle biscotti pieces and chocolate cake crumbs over the top layer of whipped cream. Let the mixture set in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving (ideally overnight, if possible).
For the cake:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 1 9×5 inch loaf pan by spraying thoroughly with non-stick spray. Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking soda together until combined. Set aside until the final step of making the batter.
  • In a bowl of a stand mixer, add sugar and oil and mix until combined. Add egg and egg yolk, together and mix on medium-low until combined. Add vanilaa extract and mix together. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
  • Mix coffee together with sour cream in a separate mixing bowl or measuring cup. Add ⅓ of the flour mixture to the batter and mix on low until combined. Add half of the coffee-sour cream mixture and mix on low until smooth. Repeat with another ⅓ of flour mixture and then the last of the coffee-sour cream mixture. Finally, add the last of the flour, mix, and stop when combined. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth into an even layer.
  • Bake in center of preheated oven for about 1 hour. Remove the cake when a knife comes out clean when inserted in the center. Let it cool for 20 minutes before removing from the pan. To remove from the pan. slide a knife around the edge to loosen up the cake. Place a plate on top of the pan and, with pot holders on, invert the pan so it's on top of the plate. Gently tap the pan on the plate to loosen up the cake. Remove pan and let cake sit to cool completely, about 40 more minutes.

Pin for later:

pin of mocha trifle

More recipes that you’ll love:

Dark Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes
picture of dark chocolate caramel cupcakes with caramel dripping down
Black and White Bundt Cake
Mocha Brownie Pie
a slice of Mocha Brownie Pie with a bite out of it on a plate with a pie in the background with chocolate chips sprinkled around it, shot from a side angle

Share this:

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

7 Comments

« German Sweet Dumplings
Holiday Mule »

Comments

  1. Tisha says

    December 18, 2022 at 8:07 pm

    Absolutely perfect and easy dessert for the holiday season

    Reply
  2. Nadalie says

    December 17, 2022 at 11:24 am

    Coffee and chocolate really does go well together! This mocha trifle looks really good and is a must try!

    Reply
  3. Eni says

    December 16, 2022 at 2:19 pm

    This dessert looks terrific! I think I may add it to my Christmas menu. Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
  4. mandy says

    December 16, 2022 at 10:59 am

    Such a gorgeous and beautiful trifle recipe! Making it for a holiday party this weekend!

    Reply
  5. Beth says

    December 16, 2022 at 10:42 am

    Oh, yes! I’m absolutely in love! Chocolate and coffee is always a great bet, and you can’t beat the creamy goodness of trifle.

    Reply
  6. Tayler says

    December 16, 2022 at 10:34 am

    I made this trifle for dessert last night and it was incredible! Each layer is so fun and delicious!

    Reply
  7. Shadi says

    December 16, 2022 at 10:13 am

    I’m always ready for a delicious dessert! Can’t wait to make it this weekend!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hi, my name is Sharon. I’m an accountant by day, risk-taking baker and food enthusiast by night. Come join me as I share my favorite recipes and test out new ones along the way!

ORDER MY NEW COOKBOOK NOW!

photo of entertaining made easy cookbook available for preorder now

fall flavors

styled shot of Salted Caramel Apple Pie Parfaits with a pan of pie and a can of whipped cream behind it

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Parfaits

zoomed in shot of Smashed Sweet Potatoes with cheese being shredded over them

Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Garlic Butter

Butterscotch Pear Turnovers on a baking sheet with parchment paper, shot from overhead

Butterscotch Pear Turnovers

vinaigrette dressing being poured over a plate of Orchard Harvest Salad (Panera Copycat) from a glass bottle with a half and whole pair and cherry preserves in the background, shot from a side angle

Orchard Harvest Salad (Panera Copycat)

a slice of chocolate pecan pie on a plate with another plate of pie in the background, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Pecan Pie Brownies

Breakfast
Appetizers
Entrees
Salads
Sides
Drinks
Desserts
Roundups
Holidays

Browse by Date

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
  • Privacy Policy

fall flavors

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

stacked maple walnut cookies on a red orange napkin and one cookie with a bite removed

Maple Walnut Cookies

zoomed in shot of a plate of stacked chocolate gingerbread truffles with one with a bite out of it, shot from a side angle

Chocolate Gingerbread Truffles

slices of iced pumpkin scones drizzled with frosting on a wire rack on top of parchment paper, shot from overhead

Iced Pumpkin Scones

closeup of mini pumpkin doughnut muffins with one with a bite out of it

Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

 

Apple pie egg rolls have cinnamon apples rolled in Apple pie egg rolls have cinnamon apples rolled into an egg roll wrapper with cream cheese and air-fried until crispy. They are finished with an enrollment of cinnamon sugar.

To find this recipe, search for apple pie egg rolls on certifiedpastryaficionado.com

#apples #appledesserts #applecinnamon #appleseason #falldesserts #desserteggrolls #eggrollwrappers #airfryer #airfryerdesserts #airfryercooking #yum #eatingfortheinsta #instayum #picoftheday #foodblog #delicious #nomnomnom #feedfeed #foodietribe #eeeeeats #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #buzzfeedfood #TODAYfood #foodblogeats
Apple cider bundt cake is a perfectly spiced Bundt Apple cider bundt cake is a perfectly spiced Bundt cake sweetened with apple cider.

To find this recipe, search for apple cider bundt cake on certifiedpastryaficionado.com

#bundtcake #applecider #appledesserts #falldesserts #fallcakes #autumnbaking #cider #homebaking #spicedcake #yum #eatingfortheinsta #instayum #picoftheday #foodblog #delicious #nomnomnom #feedfeed #foodietribe #eeeeeats #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #buzzfeedfood #TODAYfood #foodblogeats
Apple cinnamon Charlotte has brioche stuffed with Apple cinnamon Charlotte has brioche stuffed with cinnamon apples, baked, and covered in a cinnamon sabayon sauce

To find this recipe, search for apple cinnamon Charlotte on certifiedpastryaficionado.com

#apples #appledessert #brioche #stuffedbrioche #applecinnamon #cinnamon #falldesserts #homemadedesserts #bakedapples #yum #eatingfortheinsta #instayum #picoftheday #foodblog #delicious #nomnomnom #feedfeed #foodietribe #eeeeeats #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #buzzfeedfood #TODAYfood #foodblogeats
Oatmeal dinner rolls are homemade dinner rolls mad Oatmeal dinner rolls are homemade dinner rolls made with oatmeal and brown sugar.

To find this recipe, search for oatmeal dinner rolls on certifiedpastryaficionado.com

#dinnerrolls #rolls #sidedish #bread #baking #oatmeal #bakedrolls #brownsugar #homebaking #yum #eatingfortheinsta #instayum #picoftheday #foodblog #delicious #nomnomnom #feedfeed #foodietribe #eeeeeats #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #buzzfeedfood #TODAYfood #foodblogeats
My favorite pumpkin loaf is the most moist, perfec My favorite pumpkin loaf is the most moist, perfectly spiced pumpkin loaf. I make this every year and freeze extra for leftovers. It’s my all-time favorite loaf cake.

To find this recipe, search for pumpkin loaf on certifiedpastryaficionado.com

#pumpkin #pumpkinbread #pumpkinloaf #spicedpumpkin #pumpkinrecipes #falldesserts #autumndesserts #bakeddesserts #yum #eatingfortheinsta #instayum #picoftheday #foodblog #delicious #nomnomnom #feedfeed #foodietribe #eeeeeats #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #buzzfeedfood #TODAYfood #foodblogeats

Copyright © 2023 Certified Pastry Aficionado · Web Design by Viva la Violet

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.