Chocolate Toffee Trifle

Ingredients

• 15.25 oz Duncan Hines Chocolate Fudge cake mix (1 box; substitutions mentioned in notes)
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup water
• 0.5 cup vegetable or canola oil (Use either vegetable oil or canola oil)
• 0.75 cup sour cream
• 0.5 cup Kahlua, cooled coffee, or store-bought cold brew (Use 1/2–3/4 cup, to taste; choose one option and cool it before use)
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 0.5 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 5.9 oz instant chocolate pudding mix (1 box)
• 2 cups milk
• butter (For buttering the 12 × 17-inch sheet pan; amount not stated)
• chocolate toffee (Amount not stated; divided between the layers. Toffee bits are suggested in the article)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 12 × 17-inch sheet pan.

2. 2

   In a medium bowl, blend the cake mix, eggs, water, oil, and sour cream until fully incorporated.

3. 3

   Pour the batter into the prepared sheet pan and bake for 20–24 minutes, or until cooked through. Cool the cake completely.

4. 4

   Meanwhile, make the whipped cream: combine the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl.

5. 5

   Beat with a whisk or mixer until stiff peaks form.

6. 6

   In a separate bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and milk. Let stand for 3–5 minutes, then fold in half of the whipped cream.

7. 7

   Slice the cooled cake into 1-inch squares or break it into small chunks.

8. 8

   Pour the Kahlua, cooled coffee, or cold brew into a small bowl. Brush the entire top of the cake with your desired amount.

9. 9

   In a trifle bowl or large glass bowl, layer half of the cake, half of the pudding, half of the whipped cream, and half of the chocolate toffee, in that order.

10. 10

    Repeat the layers with the remaining cake, pudding, whipped cream, and chocolate toffee.

11. 11

    Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight before serving.

Notes

The coffee-flavored liqueur can be replaced with cooled coffee or cold brew. Article substitutions include other cake-mix flavors, other pudding flavors, and alternative toppings such as chopped Heath or Skor bars, caramel or butterscotch sauce, chopped nuts, or peanut butter cups; the toffee layer may also be omitted. The recipe lists total time as 45 minutes, while the stated 4-hour-or-overnight chilling is additional.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• make-ahead
• crowd-friendly
• layered
• chocolate
• semi-homemade
• refrigerated