If you want to wow your friends and family with a dessert that screams spooky fun, this Halloween Trifle is exactly what you need! Imagine layers of moist chocolate cake, creamy pudding, fluffy whipped topping, and all the best Halloween candies and cookies—each spoonful is a delicious surprise with just the right amount of festive flair. This treat looks stunning in a glass dish and is as fun to assemble as it is to eat, making it the ultimate crowd-pleaser for your October celebrations.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chocolate Cake
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients as listed on the box)
Pudding Layer
- 1 (3.9 oz) box instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
Toppings and Garnishes
- 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (thawed)
- 1 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos)
- 1 cup candy corn or Halloween candies
- Halloween sprinkles
- Gummy worms or candy eyeballs (optional for garnish)

How to Make Halloween Trifle

Step 1: Bake and Cool the Chocolate Cake

Start by preparing your chocolate cake according to the directions on the box, using a 9×13-inch pan. This step fills your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of chocolate and sets the foundation for your Halloween Trifle. Make sure to let the cake cool completely—this makes it easier to cut or crumble into bite-sized pieces, and it keeps your layers neat as you assemble.

Step 2: Make the Chocolate Pudding

While the cake cools, grab a medium bowl and whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix with the cold milk. Whisk for about 2 minutes, until it thickens up to a luscious, creamy consistency. This quick step is key for that dreamy, velvety layer you’ll love.

Step 3: Build the First Layer

Now comes the fun part—layering! In a large trifle bowl or a clear glass dish, start with half of your cake pieces on the bottom. Spread on half of the pudding, then add a layer of whipped topping. Sprinkle with half the crushed cookies and toss on a generous handful of candy corn or your favorite Halloween candies. The colors and textures already start to come alive!

Step 4: Repeat and Finish the Layers

Repeat your layers with the remaining cake, pudding, whipped topping, cookies, and candies. Each new layer adds more excitement and flavor, building up to a truly show-stopping centerpiece. Don’t worry if it looks a little imperfect—trifles are all about those gorgeous, rustic layers.

Step 5: Decorate and Chill

Time to get creative! Top your Halloween Trifle with extra Halloween sprinkles, gummy worms, or candy eyeballs for a spooky finish that’s almost too cute to eat. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving—this helps all the flavors meld together beautifully.

How to Serve Halloween Trifle

Garnishes

Go wild with the decorations on your Halloween Trifle! Pile on more candy corn, festive sprinkles, and don’t forget those gummy worms or candy eyeballs for a playful, eerie effect. You can even tint the whipped topping with a drop of orange food coloring for an extra pop of Halloween spirit.

Side Dishes

Since this trifle is quite rich and chocolatey, a simple side like fresh fruit or a big mug of hot apple cider works beautifully. If you’re hosting a party, consider pairing it with salty snacks like popcorn or pretzels to balance out all those sweet flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Individual mini trifles in clear cups are always a hit at parties—everyone gets their own spooky dessert! Or, use mason jars for a rustic vibe. Layer in extra candies or colored whipped topping for a more dramatic look, and let kids help create their own custom Halloween Trifle masterpieces.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover any leftover Halloween Trifle tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator, where it will stay tasty and fresh for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld together even more overnight, making it a delicious next-day treat!

Freezing

While you can technically freeze trifle, the texture of the whipped topping and pudding may change once thawed. If you do want to freeze leftovers, spoon portions into individual containers and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge before serving for best results.

Reheating

There’s no need to reheat your Halloween Trifle—it’s meant to be served chilled! Just scoop and enjoy straight from the fridge. If it’s been stored for a while, give it a quick stir or add a fresh sprinkle of candies and cookies for renewed texture and color.

FAQs

Can I make Halloween Trifle the night before?

Absolutely! In fact, letting your Halloween Trifle chill overnight helps the flavors meld and ensures each layer is extra delicious. Just add your most delicate garnishes right before serving for the best presentation.

What can I use instead of chocolate cake?

If you’re looking to switch things up, you can use brownies, vanilla cake dyed orange, or even store-bought chocolate loaf cake. Anything that can be cut or crumbled into chunks will work great.

Can I make this Halloween Trifle gluten-free?

Yes! Simply use a gluten-free cake mix and gluten-free sandwich cookies. Double-check your pudding mix and candies to be sure they’re gluten-free, and you’re all set for a festive, allergy-friendly treat.

How long does it take to assemble?

Once your cake is baked and cooled, assembling the trifle only takes about 15 minutes. It’s a wonderfully quick dessert that looks like you spent hours making it!

Can kids help make this?

Definitely! Kids love layering the cake, pudding, and candies in the trifle bowl, and decorating the top is always a blast. Just make sure a grown-up handles the baking part.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a dessert that’s spooky, scrumptious, and sure to get everyone talking, this Halloween Trifle is your new go-to. It’s the perfect blend of creativity and chocolatey goodness—so grab your favorite candies, gather your friends, and get ready to celebrate Halloween in the sweetest way possible!

Halloween Trifle Recipe

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4.6 from 29 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 10 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Halloween Trifle is a festive and delicious layered dessert perfect for spooky celebrations. It combines rich chocolate cake, creamy chocolate pudding, and fluffy whipped topping with a crunch of crushed chocolate sandwich cookies and colorful Halloween candies for a fun and eye-catching treat everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Cake

1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients as listed on the box)

Pudding Layer

1 (3.9 oz) box instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups cold milk

Toppings and Garnishes

1 (8 oz) container whipped topping (thawed)
1 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos)
1 cup candy corn or Halloween candies
Halloween sprinkles
Gummy worms or candy eyeballs (optional for garnish)

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Instructions

Bake the Chocolate Cake: Prepare the chocolate cake according to the package instructions using a 9×13-inch pan. Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely before cutting or crumbling it into bite-sized pieces.
Prepare the Pudding: In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes until the mixture thickens.
Layer the Trifle – First Layer: In a large trifle bowl or clear glass dish, spread half of the chocolate cake pieces evenly. Then, spread half of the prepared chocolate pudding over the cake, followed by a layer of whipped topping. Sprinkle half of the crushed chocolate sandwich cookies on top and add a handful of candy corn or Halloween candies.
Layer the Trifle – Second Layer: Repeat the layering process using the remaining chocolate cake pieces, pudding, whipped topping, crushed cookies, and candies.
Garnish and Chill: Top the trifle with Halloween sprinkles, gummy worms, or candy eyeballs to create a spooky appearance. Refrigerate the trifle for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the layers to set.

Notes

For parties, make individual servings by layering the ingredients in clear cups for a festive presentation.
To add a Halloween twist, mix orange food coloring into the whipped topping before layering.
Ensure the cake is completely cooled before layering to prevent the pudding from melting.
Use crushed sandwich cookies with cream filling for added richness and texture.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake + Baking
Cuisine: American