📋 Witches Brew Halloween Trifle Recipe

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

5 from 3 votes

📋 Witches Brew Halloween Trifle Recipe

This Witches Brew Halloween Trifle is the perfect dessert for your Halloween potluck. A Spumoni trifle consisting of delicious 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!

Course Dessert

Cuisine North American

Keyword Halloween, trifle, witches brew

Special Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 45

making worms (setting time) 8

Total Time 8 45

Servings people

Calories 89kcal

Author Terri Gilson

Equipment

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 powder
4 cups milk
1 -540 m[ 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

Garnish

Jello worms or gummy worms https://foodmeanderings.com/jello-worms-and-dirt-cup/
chocolate baking crumbs for sprinkling

US Customary - Metric

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

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

Spumoni Trifle:

In a large bowl, mix pistachio pudding powder with milk, as per package instructions.
2 -99 g pkgs pistachio instant pudding powder, 4 cups milk
In a large mixing bowl, beat whipping cream to soft peaks and then add white granulated sugar. Beat to stiff peaks.
2 cups whipping cream, 2 tablespoon white granulated sugar

Toppings:

Beat cream cheese for 30 seconds, then add cherries and beat until smooth. Add almonds
1 -540 m[ can of cherry pie filling, 1 - 8 oz pkg cream cheese, ½ cup sliced 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.
1 -8 inch chocolate cake or red velvet cake

Assembly:

Draw black circle on white mints with edible black markers. Draw red lines for bloodshot eyes, if desired. Or use jumbo candy eyes.
white mints for eyeballs (scotch white mints), black edible marker, red edible marker
Add green mints and small candy eye mints to the top of the trifle.
large green mints (scotch green mints), small candy eyes
Add a little chocolate baking crumbs under the Jello or gummy worms and sprinkle a little on top, if desired. Serve.
chocolate baking crumbs, Jello worms or gummy worms

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 into 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!

Expert Recipe Tips:

Plan ahead for the worms:
The Jello worms need to set overnight, so make them the day before you assemble the trifle. This saves time on party day and ensures they hold their shape perfectly.
Use contrasting cake layers:
Red velvet and pistachio pudding not only create a fun, “spooky” color contrast but also give the trifle that classic spumoni flavor combination. If you want a darker look, choose chocolate cake for a more eerie “cauldron” effect.
Don’t skip the real whipped cream:
Homemade whipped cream gives this dessert a light, fluffy texture that balances the richness of the pudding and cream cheese layers. Spray or tub whipped toppings tend to deflate and can make the layers watery.
Keep your layers clean:
To achieve distinct, even layers, spoon each one gently over the previous layer rather than pouring. Use a large spoon or offset spatula to smooth out the surfaces as you go.
Wait to decorate:
Add the mint eyeballs and worms just before serving. Leaving the mints on too long can cause their flavor to seep into the dessert, overpowering the other layers.
Use edible markers sparingly:
When decorating the mint eyeballs, let the edible ink dry completely before placing them on the trifle to avoid smudging.
Chill before serving:
For the best texture and flavor, refrigerate the assembled trifle for at least 2 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and helps the layers set.
Go mini for parties:
For potlucks or kids’ parties, assemble the trifle in individual mini cauldrons or clear cups. It’s neater for serving and makes a fun single-serve option.
Add some “bubbles”:
To make your witch’s brew look like it’s bubbling, sprinkle a few small white mints or round candies on top just before serving. It adds a fun, magical touch!
Make it your own:
Try using different pudding flavors or colored layers to match other holidays or party themes—this trifle is easy to customize beyond Halloween.

🍽 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.

Nutrition