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Halloween Spooky Trifle

This colorful Halloween trifle layers dense cake cubes with creamy vanilla or pumpkin custard, topped with whipped cream and fun spooky decorations. The dish is assembled in clear glasses or a large trifle bowl, showcasing its chaotic, vibrant layers that evoke a festive, haunted vibe. Each spoonful offers a mix of textures—soft cake, silky custard, and crunchy toppings—making it a lively centerpiece for any spooky celebration.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Halloween
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box dense chocolate or spice cake baked or store-bought, cooled and cut into cubes
  • 2 cups milk dairy or plant-based
  • 3 large egg yolks for custard
  • 1/2 cup sugar adjust sweetness as desired
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch for thickening
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or pumpkin spice
  • 1 cup heavy cream for whipped topping
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar for sweetening whipped cream
  • assorted candy eyes, gummy worms, edible glitter, chocolate shavings, crumbled cookies for decoration

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Sharp knife
  • Glass Trifle Bowl or Jars
  • Whisk or electric mixer
  • Spatula

Method
 

  1. Gather all your ingredients and equipment to ensure a smooth assembly process.
  2. Cut your cooled dense cake into small, spooky-sized cubes using a sharp knife. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth and slightly pale, about 2 minutes.
  4. Warm the milk in a saucepan until just steaming, then slowly pour it into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
  5. Pour everything back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until the custard thickens and starts to bubble, about 5 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and transfer to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
  7. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form, about 3-4 minutes.
  8. Once the custard is chilled and set, gently fold it into the whipped cream until combined and silky.
  9. Start layering your trifle by placing a layer of cake cubes at the bottom of your glass bowl or jars.
  10. Spoon a generous layer of custard mixture over the cake, spreading evenly with a spatula.
  11. Add more cake cubes on top, followed by another layer of custard, creating multiple layers until the container is nearly full.
  12. Refrigerate the assembled trifle for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld and textures to set.
  13. Just before serving, decorate the top with whipped cream, candy eyes, gummy worms, edible glitter, chocolate shavings, or crumbled cookies for a spooky, festive look.

Notes

Ensure the custard is thick enough to hold the layers without sinking. Decorate just before serving to keep toppings vibrant and fresh. Feel free to tweak toppings and layers each year for a new spooky twist!