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Home » Recipes » Holidays and Events Recipes » Halloween Recipes

Witches Brew Spumoni Trifle (with jello worms): A Halloween Potluck Dessert

Published: Nov 1, 2017 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Oct 12, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

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Witches brew spumoni trifle | with jello worms -foodmeanderings.com
pin with 2 photos of witches brew spumoni trifle with text in the middle

Do you remember the song, "Nobody likes me... Everybody hates me... I'm gonna eat some wor-rr-ms..."? When I was feeling sorry for myself as a kid, my Mom used to try to cheer me up by singing that song to me.

witches brew spumoni trifle in a black plastic cauldron with jello worms

I guess she was attempting to make me realize how silly and trivial I was being. It usually worked. But still, I just couldn't get past the thought of eating worms.  And then there was the book we read back in elementary school, "How to eat fried worms" The title alone completely repulsed me - I couldn't even get through the entire book (just too many horrifying descriptive worm-eating depictions. ) So, when I was thinking about making a gross Halloween dessert, worms immediately sprung to mind. And then a Witches Brew Trifle to put them in!

Jump to:
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 📖 Variations
  • 💭 Top tip
  • 🍽 Equipment
  • ⭐ Reviews
  • 📋 Witches Brew Spumoni Trifle Recipe
  • 🎃More Halloween Recipes!

For the last couple of years, we've had a contest at our Halloween potluck at work with a prize for "best Halloween themed food." This year I was determined to put in some real effort and win that prize!  And since the grossest looking entry (the kitty litter cake) won last year and my cute little Phantom Perogy Pizza Pops just didn't cut it,  I decided to go for repulsive this time round.... A witches brew trifle with worms, dirt, and eyeballs was sure to garner some revulsion!

Witches Brew Halloween Trifle | #halloweenpotluckdessert - foodmeanderings.com

Have you ever made anything that looks too gross to eat? As a cake decorator, food blogger and food photographer, this really goes against my grain, with my goal consistently being to make food look mouth-watering! So, creating something that looked disgusting was a bit of a stretch for me.

However, it's one thing to make something that looks cool and creepy, but it's an entirely different thing to make it taste good as well. But this spumoni trifle is the best of both the spooky, cool-looking and delicious worlds. If you are looking for Halloween potluck ideas for work that actually taste good, then this is your Halloween dessert!

🥘 Ingredients

For this Halloween potluck recipe, you'll need: 

  • cake * red velvet or chocolate
  • pistachio instant pudding
  • cherry pie filling
  • cream cheese * I use light
  • sliced almond
  • whipping cream
  • granulated sugar
  • green scotch mints
  • white scotch mints
  • edible markers
  • candy eyes
  • Oreo baking crumbs
  • jello worms (optional)
Witches Brew Halloween Trifle | #halloweendessert - Foodmeanderings.com

📖 Variations

  • You can use gummy worms in place of Jello worms (but they don't look as realistic)
  • Although this witch's brew dessert recipe is a Halloween dessert, it's also perfect for a scary birthday party or oddly enough, a spring garden theme party. Seriously. Layer it in a clear trifle dish and you have yourself a spring color themed trifle, complete with worms! Just skip the eyeballs and bubbling cauldron mint toppings, add a gardening tool and you're good to go!
  • Or you can make this Earth Day Recipe !
Witches Brew Spumoni trifle | #halloweenpotluckdessert - foodmeanderings.com

💭 Top tip

The worms take an investment of prep time, but they are well worth it if you are going for that gross look. In fact, I consider them the crowning glory on this Halloween trifle! *** Make the worms a day in advance, as they need to set overnight

🍽 Equipment

You don't need any special equipment to make this recipe, but it definitely makes it look even cooler when you use a cauldron! (affiliate link). If you can't get your hands on a cauldron, then you could use a trifle bowl. 

Jello worms - foodmeanderings.com

In the end, I did win the "best Halloween food" at the potluck this year and scored an excellent foodie prize - a restaurant gift card! At least I don't have to feel sorry for myself and go eat some worms. But I think I will anyway- they really are delicious!

Happy gross, scary, spooky cooking!! If you are looking for more witch-themed Halloween potluck recipes, then give this Melting Witch Punch a try!

melting witch Halloween punch in punch bowl with black material in the background
Melting Witch Halloween Punch

And if you're looking for additional Halloween Potluck Recipes, check out this post!

collage of 4 photos of Halloween potluck foods with white text on black background in the middle

⭐ Reviews

Did you make this recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

Please SUBSCRIBE  (get my FREE E-cookbook) and be sure to FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

Halloween dessert witches brew trifle, with jello worms in black cauldron, with wooden spoon
Food Meandering Logo

📋 Witches Brew Spumoni Trifle Recipe

This Witches Brew Spumoni Trifle is the perfect dessert for your Halloween potluck. A trifle consisting of layers of cake, pistachio pudding, whipped cream and cherry almond cream cheese, topped with mint eyeballs, bubbles and jello worms, this dessert is both scary -looking and delicious!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: North American
Keyword: Halloween, trifle, witches brew
Servings: 30 people
Calories: 89kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 45 minutes
making worms (setting time): 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 45 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

Spumoni trifle

  • 1 -8 inch chocolate cake or red velvet cake use store-bought or mix or homemade
  • 2 -99 g pkgs pistachio instant pudding
  • 1 -540 ms can of cherry pie filling
  • 1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese I use light cream cheese
  • ½ cup sliced almonds
  • 2 cups whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoon white granulated sugar

Toppings:

  • large green mints (scotch green mints) (20- 25)
  • white mints for eyeballs (scotch white mints) 5 approximately - or use Jumbo candy eyes
  • black edible marker
  • red edible marker
  • small candy eyes 5-10
  • oreo cookie crumbs sprinkling

Jello worms: (Optional) https://foodmeanderings.com/jello-worms-and-dirt-cup/

    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    *** Make the worms a day in advance, as they need to set overnight (see recipe below)

      Spumoni Trifle:

      • Make pistachio pudding, as per package instructions.
      • Beat whipping cream to soft peaks and then add white granulated sugar. Beat to stiff peaks.

      Toppings:

      • Beat cream cheese for 30 seconds, then add cherries and beat until smooth. Add almonds
      • Assemble: break the cake up and put in bottom of cauldron or trifle dish. Add ½ the pistachio pudding, then top that with cream cheese cherry mixture. Add all the whipped cream, then top with remainder of pistachio pudding.

      Worms: (Optional) https://foodmeanderings.com/jello-worms-and-dirt-cup/

        Assembly:

        • Draw black circle on white mints with edible black markers. Draw red lines for bloodshot eyes, if desired. Or use jumbo candy eyes.
        • Add green mints and small candy eye mints to the top of the trifle.
        • Add a little oreo cookie crumbs under the worms and sprinkle a little on top, if desired. Serve. 

        Notes

        💭 Top tip
        The worms take an investment of prep time, but they are well worth it if you are going for that gross look. In fact, I consider them the crowning glory on this Halloween trifle! *** Make the worms a day in advance, as they need to set overnight
        *NOTE: if mints are left on the trifle the mint flavor will seep in to the dish . If you like mints, then you can put them on in advance. If you do not like mints, then put them on just prior to serving!
        🍽 Equipment
        You don't need any special equipment to make this recipe, but it definitely makes it look even cooler when you use a cauldron! (affiliate link). If you can't get your hands on a cauldron, then you could use a trifle bowl. 
        My Amazon Recommendations (affiliate links)

         
        Nutrition Facts
        📋 Witches Brew Spumoni Trifle Recipe
        Amount Per Serving
        Calories 89 Calories from Fat 72
        % Daily Value*
        Fat 8g12%
        Saturated Fat 5g31%
        Cholesterol 29mg10%
        Sodium 10mg0%
        Potassium 29mg1%
        Carbohydrates 1g0%
        Vitamin A 320IU6%
        Vitamin C 0.2mg0%
        Calcium 20mg2%
        Iron 0.1mg1%
        * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
         

        Nutrition

        Calories: 89kcal (4%) | Carbohydrates: 1g | Fat: 8g (12%) | Saturated Fat: 5g (31%) | Cholesterol: 29mg (10%) | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 29mg (1%) | Vitamin A: 320IU (6%) | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 20mg (2%) | Iron: 0.1mg (1%)
        Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
        Rate this Recipe

        🎃More Halloween Recipes!

        • No Bake (Inside out) Boston Cream Moon Pie
        • Halloween Phantom Pierogi Pizza Pockets
        • Boo Batter Ice Cream (no churn)
        • Halloween Jack o'lantern Bucket Cupcakes
        • Salted Toffee Halloween Caramel Apples
        • Melting Witch Halloween Punch (non-alcoholic)

        More Halloween Recipes

        • Slow Cooker Halloween Buffalo Chicken Dip
        • 25 Halloween Potluck Foods
        • Leftover Halloween Candy Tarts
        • Halloween Pasta Recipe: Frankenstein Fettuccine

        Reader Interactions

        Comments

        1. Charlotte

          November 02, 2017 at 9:01 am

          I'm so glad you won the potluck contest this year! These trifle is definitely spooky and I can't stop looking at those worms but I'm also super excited to make it next year.

          Reply
          • Terri Gilson

            November 02, 2017 at 8:42 pm

            Hi Charlotte - Thanks! I hope you enjoy it when you do get a chance to make it!

            Reply
        2. Redawna

          November 03, 2017 at 8:32 am

          Very cool Halloween dessert!
          The worms add that nice gross touch.
          Definitely worthy of the win.

          Have a fantastic weekend!

          Reply
        3. Daire

          October 26, 2018 at 5:32 pm

          This is so creepy and fun! I just featured this recipe in my Halloween Foods roundup on my blog!

          Reply
          • Terri Gilson

            October 26, 2018 at 5:47 pm

            Thank you 🙂 I'll check it out!

            Reply
        4. Anita

          September 23, 2019 at 8:41 am

          This looks amazing! I am going to make this for a Halloween party coming up. Not sure if I will be able to find the scotch mints $30 online!?!? I may use green grapes instead. Hope mine turns out looking like that!!!

          Reply
          • Terri Gilson

            September 23, 2019 at 10:27 am

            Hi Anita,
            Great- hope you enjoy it! I found the mints at my local Grocery store for much cheaper!

            Reply

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        I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

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