Scoop of Heaven Trifle: A Decadent Dessert with Devil’s Food Cake, Caramel, and Toffee
There are desserts that stand out and become memorable for their delicious balance of flavors and textures, and then there are those that exceed all expectations. The Scoop of Heaven Trifle falls into the latter category. This indulgent treat combines layers of rich, moist Devil’s Food cake, smooth whipped cream, sweet caramel syrup, and crunchy Heath English Toffee bits. With each bite, you get the perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and crunch, making it the ideal dessert to serve at any celebration or for a special family dinner.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Layering, Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box Devil’s Food cake mix (make according to directions)
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 16 oz. whipped cream
- 22 oz. caramel syrup
- 8 oz. Heath English Toffee Bits
- 1 King-Sized Heath bar
Instructions
- Prepare the Devil’s Food Cake: Start by preparing the Devil’s Food cake mix according to the instructions provided on the box. This cake mix is the backbone of the trifle, bringing rich chocolate flavor that provides the perfect balance against the sweetness of the caramel and the lightness of the whipped cream. The Devil’s Food cake itself should bake into a soft, tender crumb, with a slightly moist texture. Once baked, allow the cake to cool just slightly. The cooling time should be enough for you to prepare the next steps without the cake losing its warmth.
- Cut the Cake into Squares: While the cake is still warm, cut it into small, bite-sized squares. The reason we cut the cake while it’s still warm is so that the cake has the chance to soak in the sweetened condensed milk. By cutting it into smaller pieces, you ensure that the milk can easily permeate the cake, making every bite moist and flavorful. If you leave the cake in larger pieces, the milk will not soak through as thoroughly, and you’ll miss out on that signature moist texture.
- Soak the Cake with Sweetened Condensed Milk: Once the cake is cut into pieces, pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top of the cake. This step is essential for infusing the cake with sweetness and moisture. The milk seeps into the warm cake, creating a luscious, custard-like texture that enhances the flavor and makes every bite melt in your mouth. It’s important to pour the milk slowly, allowing it to soak in rather than just pooling on top. The sweetened condensed milk adds an extra layer of richness, making the cake taste even more decadent.
- Layer the Cake in the Trifle Bowl: Once the cake has absorbed the sweetened condensed milk, it’s time to begin assembling the trifle. Start by spreading one-third of the soaked cake pieces into the bottom of a trifle bowl. The layers are what make a trifle so special, and you want to make sure that the bottom layer is even and spread out well. The cake will form a solid base that supports the layers above, so this step is crucial for the structure of the dessert.
- Add Whipped Cream, Caramel, and Toffee: On top of the cake layer, spread one-third of the whipped cream. The whipped cream should be light and fluffy, adding a smooth texture that contrasts with the richness of the cake. It also creates a lovely airy layer that helps balance the denser layers of cake and caramel. After the whipped cream, drizzle one-third of the caramel syrup evenly over the whipped cream. The caramel syrup adds a deep, buttery sweetness that pairs perfectly with the chocolate cake. Then, sprinkle one-third of the Heath English Toffee bits over the caramel layer. The toffee provides a satisfying crunch that contrasts with the soft, creamy layers, and its buttery flavor enhances the caramel’s sweetness.
- Repeat the Layers: Repeat the layering process two more times, using the remaining cake, whipped cream, caramel syrup, and toffee bits. Each new layer should be spread evenly over the previous one, so every bite contains all the elements of the trifle. The beauty of a trifle is in its layers, so take your time to ensure each layer is smooth and evenly distributed. By the time you’re finished, your trifle will have several beautiful layers of cake, cream, caramel, and toffee that look just as stunning as they taste.
- Top with Crushed Heath Bar: Once the layers are complete, take the King-sized Heath bar and crush it into small pieces. Sprinkle the crushed pieces evenly over the top of the trifle. This final touch adds even more crunch and a rich toffee flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the caramel and the smoothness of the whipped cream. The crushed Heath bar also gives the trifle a lovely, textured topping that looks impressive and inviting.
- Chill Before Serving: After assembling the trifle, refrigerate it for at least 2 hours before serving. Chilling the trifle allows all the layers to meld together, letting the flavors fuse and deepen. The cake has time to absorb the caramel and condensed milk fully, and the whipped cream firms up, helping the layers hold their shape. The waiting time may feel long, but the results are well worth the patience. The trifle will be fully set and ready to serve after this time, allowing the flavors to develop and the texture to become perfectly creamy and firm.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the trifle has chilled, it’s ready to be served. Scoop generous spoonfuls of the dessert into individual bowls or serve directly from the trifle bowl for a family-style experience. The layers of rich, moist cake, smooth whipped cream, sweet caramel, and crunchy toffee bits will delight your guests and leave everyone asking for the recipe. This dessert is truly a treat for the senses, providing a beautiful combination of textures, from the creamy whipped cream to the crunchy toffee, all wrapped up in the deep chocolate flavor of the Devil’s Food cake.
Notes
- Cake Mix: If you’d like to make the cake from scratch, you can easily substitute the box cake mix with your favorite chocolate cake recipe. Homemade cake will have a richer, more complex flavor than store-bought mixes, and it’s a great option if you want to take your dessert to the next level. If you’re short on time, you can also try using other flavors of cake mixes, such as chocolate fudge or red velvet, for an interesting twist.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: For a dairy-free alternative, you can swap out the sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk or almond milk, though the flavor may be slightly different. The coconut milk will bring a tropical flavor that pairs well with the caramel, while almond milk will make the trifle lighter in texture. Both alternatives will still give you the creamy consistency that’s essential to the dessert.
- Whipped Cream: You can easily make your own whipped cream at home by whipping heavy cream with a little sugar and vanilla extract. However, if you’re short on time, store-bought whipped cream will work just fine. If you’re looking for a lighter version, you can substitute the whipped cream with whipped coconut cream or Greek yogurt. While these alternatives are lighter, they still offer a creamy texture that’s perfect for the trifle.
- Caramel Syrup: If you’re feeling adventurous, homemade caramel sauce is a great way to add even more richness to the trifle. You can make it by cooking sugar, butter, and cream until they come together into a smooth, golden sauce. The homemade caramel will have a deeper, more complex flavor than store-bought syrup, but both work well in the recipe.
- Heath English Toffee Bits: If you can’t find Heath Toffee bits, don’t worry! You can use chopped-up pieces of any toffee bar, such as Skor or Dove, or even use caramelized nuts like pecans or almonds. These alternatives will still provide a delicious crunch and bring the flavor of toffee to the dessert. If you prefer a different flavor, you can also substitute the toffee with crushed chocolate cookies or even mini chocolate chips.