Black Forest Trifles

Ingredients

For the cake/brownies

• 1 pan of chocolate cake or brownies, torn or cut into small pieces

For the cherries

• 1 pound fresh bing cherries (**or see tip below for using jarred cherries**)
• 6 Tbsp. Kirsch or spiced rum (you can substitute cherry juice or water to make without alcohol)
• 3 Tbsp. sugar

For the whipped cream

• 2 cups chilled heavy whipping cream
• 6 Tbsp. powdered sugar, sifted
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 Tbsp. Kirsch (optional)

Garnish

• bing cherries (with stems)
• chocolate curls or shavings

Directions

To Make Cherries

1. In a small saucepan or medium skillet, stir together pitted cherries and sugar over medium heat. Cook until sugar is dissolved and cherries release their juice, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat, carefully stir in Kirsch, and transfer back to heat. Continue to cook over medium-heat until liquid is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

To Make Whipped Cream

1. In an electric mixer bowl (that has preferably been chilled for at least 5-10 minutes beforehand), beat the cream, powdered sugar, cocoa (and Kirsch, if desired) together until peaks form.

To Assemble Trifles

1. Place a layer of chocolate cake or brownies in a trifle bowl. Then spoon or pipe on a layer of chocolate whipped cream. Then add a layer of cherries. Repeat as many times as desired, and top with a layer of whipped cream garnished with chocolate curls and a cherry.

Tip

1. If using jarred or canned bing cherries, they don�t need to be cooked as long as fresh cherries. Drain and reserve the juice, and add a few tablespoons to the Kirsch and sugar to cook in the skillet. And then after 2 minutes, add the cherries and continue cooking until warmed through.