Chocolate cake or brownies layered with no-bake blackberry cheesecake and homemade chocolate pudding — a rich, chocolatey, fruity dessert that’s perfect any time of the year! Make from scratch or use optional shortcuts to keep things quick and easy!
This is another one of my recipe redo’s, and can I just say I was SO happy to update this one?
When I started following the recipe (yes, my own recipe!) I was thinking, “this is way more complicated than it needs to be!” I changed the ingredients and the method quite a bit this time, but only to make it so much simpler and easier to follow!
This recipe was probably my 10th or 12th recipe on the blog, and I had written it when I was still mostly writing recipes for me (and maybe my mom). I added things when I was making it and I’m not sure why they were in there. More than likely I had opened my fridge and said, “oh hey — I’ve got ¾ cup of leftover vanilla pudding and some blackberries and some chocolate cupcakes that were a little too fluffy to be cupcakes — let’s make trifle!”
The flavors were great, though, and I wanted to streamline things a little when I redid it and, taking out unnecessary ingredients and steps that were making things complicated.
There are several ways that you can go the extra mile and do everything from scratch, or take some shortcuts to make things even easier. I will include those options just above the recipe!
I used some leftover brownies that I had in the freezer as my “cake”‘ — the BEST brownies ever, might I add. You can use chocolate cake instead, but for me, fudgier is always better!
The pudding is a little softer than one you would make if you were making pudding just to eat, but I love the way it sneaks into all of the cracks in your brownie cubes!
Here are some different options shortcuts you can use if you’re short on time or you just want to avoid the oven!
Pudding:
- You could use 1 box of instant chocolate pudding (note that it well set much more quickly than cooked pudding)
- You could use prepared chocolate pudding off of the shelf.
- You can make the homemade chocolate pudding in the recipe.
Brownies:
- You can make my favorite brownie recipe here> (I actually used the leftover brownies from this Nutella Brownie Fruit Pizza!)
- You can make a brownie mix.
- You can make your favorite cake recipe or chocolate cake mix.
- Or you can make things super simple and buy some two-bite brownies from the store and chop them up!
Cheesecake:
- There’s really no way to cheat on the cheesecake, unless you were to stir in some seedless blackberry jam instead of pureeing and straining the berries.
Whipped Cream:
- Whip your own cream and sweeten with sugar.
- Use store-bought whipped topping.
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Pin this recipe to your favorite boardChocolate Blackberry Cheesecake Trifles
Ingredients
For the Blackberry Cheesecake Mousse
- 8 oz package cream cheese I used light
- 1/2 cup powdered icing sugar
- 1 1/2 cups blackberries could substitute any berries you like
- 2-3 cups whipped cream or whipped topping
For the Chocolate Pudding
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup corn starch
- pinch of salt
- 3 cups milk
For the trifle
- 1 box prepared brownie mix or 1 homemade 9×13″ brownie
- Whipped cream
- Additional blackberries if desired
Instructions
- For the mousse: In a stand mixer or large bowl with electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and beat until combined.
- Puree blackberries and press through a fine mesh strainer into the cream cheese. Beat until combined.
- Fold in whipped cream, carefully turning the mixture over with a spatula until combined.
- Refrigerate until you are ready to assemble.
- For the pudding: Combine sugar, cocoa, corn starch and salt in a large pot. Slowly whisk in milk. Cook over medium heat stirring often. As mixture begins to thicken, whisk constantly.
- Transfer to a bowl and press plastic wrap onto the top of the pudding. Set aside to come to room temperature(you can refrigerate to speed up the process!)
- Assembly: Cut brownie cake into cubes. Layer first cake, then pudding, then mousse, creating as many layers as you desire. Top with whipped cream and fresh blackberries if desired.
Nutrition Information
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Amanda | The Cinnamon Scrolls says
Beautiful photos! These look downright sinful. Brownies, cheesecake, and blackberries is a winning combo in my books!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
Wow! What a gorgeous dessert! Amazing Ashley!
Christina @ Bake with Christina says
Those trifles look amazing! Blackberry cheesecake sounds SO yummy!! 🙂
LoveCompassionateLee says
This dessert looks refreshing & decadent! I cannot wait to indulge.
Thanks for sharing & Happy Sunday, Ashley 🙂
https://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/thinkoutloud/2015/4/6/4615
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
These look divine! Love blackberries and chocolate! Yum – need to try these soon! 😀
Amanda says
Pinned this for later, YUM!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
I SOOOO need to update some old recipes!!!! such a great idea!!! and LOVE these chocolate-blackberry-cheesecake-trifles!!!!! perfection!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
It totally used to make things way more complicated than I needed to! Love how simple this recipe is! And gorgeous photos Ashley! I will take 10 of these!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I have never thought to make a brownie based trifle before so thanks for the idea. This is DELICIOUS.
Stacey @ Bake Eat Repeat says
Those trifles look fantastic Ashley! Love the colour of that blackberry cheesecake, it’s so pretty!
Car says
These look so good! I love anything made with blackberries in the summer!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
These are some ridiculously delicious looking trifles!! I love anything with blackberries and the chocolate and cheesecake combo…I’m just drooling. Pinned!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
These trifles right here are amazing! I can almost taste them!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
These look lovely! And yes, I need to go back and remake some of my first posts for sure. It’s so fun to personal photography growth!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
These trifles look so GORGEOUS! The cheesecake mousse is such a pretty pink and I love the blackberry and chocolate combo! Delicious!
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Ashley! Blackberry mousse – Oh yeah! No cake for me, fudge brownies are my favorite. Berries are just starting to ripen here, so I know what my husband will be doing soon! 🙂
Ashley says
I’ll take brownies over cake any day!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
Can I have this for breakfast? Looks so pretty and delicious! Glad you redid it so we can all see and try it again! Pinned! 🙂 Happy Weekend!!
Ashley says
Haha, absolutely!
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
Mmm that looks like a scrumptious trifle! Perfect use for fresh blackberries 🙂
Ashley says
Thanks June!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I think I need this for breakfast! This is absolutely stunning, Ashley! I’m so glad that you redid this recipe because it looks SO amazing! Pinned!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
Ashley – These look like such a sweet treat! I can’t wait to try them. The colors alone are gorgeous. My best friend’s favorite things in the world are chocolate and blackberries. I’m going to visit her in July and I’ll have to share this treat with her. 🙂