Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Instructions
- Prepare the Devil’s Food Cake: First things first, get that cake baked! Follow the instructions on your box of Devil's Food cake mix precisely. Once it’s out of the oven, the hardest part is waiting: let it cool completely on a wire rack. I mean it – patience here is a virtue. A warm cake will melt your beautiful whipped cream into a sad puddle, and we don't want that!
- Cut the Cake into Squares: Once your cake is thoroughly cooled, grab a knife and cut it into roughly 1-inch squares. Don't stress about perfect symmetry; these pieces are going to be layered and will soften beautifully. Think of them as delicious building blocks.
- Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is where some of the magic happens! Arrange your cake squares in a single layer at the bottom of a large bowl. Pour the entire can of sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cake. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, allowing the cake to soak up all that rich, sweet goodness. This step is key for an incredibly moist and flavorful trifle.
- First Layer in the Trifle Bowl: Now, transfer about half of your milk-soaked cake squares into the bottom of your trifle bowl or clear glass serving dish. Gently press them down to create a relatively even base layer. The clear bowl is great because you can see those stunning layers developing!
- Add the Whipped Cream, Caramel, and Toffee: Dollop about half of your whipped cream over the cake layer, spreading it gently with a spoon or spatula to the edges. Next, drizzle generously with about half of the caramel syrup. Don't be shy here – that caramel is essential! Finally, sprinkle about half of the Heath English Toffee Bits over the caramel layer. The crunch adds such a wonderful contrast.
- Repeat the Layers: You know the drill! Add the remaining cake squares on top of your first set of layers. Then, dollop on the rest of the whipped cream, drizzle with the remaining caramel syrup, and sprinkle with the rest of the toffee bits. Take a moment to admire your handiwork – it's already looking fantastic!
- Top with Crushed Heath Bars: For the grand finale and an extra touch of elegance (and flavor!), take your King-Sized Heath bar. Place it in a sturdy Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat mallet to crush it into fine pieces. Sprinkle these glorious crushed bits evenly over the very top of your trifle. It's the perfect sweet, crunchy crown.
- Refrigerate: This step is non-negotiable for the best results. Cover your trifle loosely with plastic wrap and pop it into the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Ideally, let it chill overnight. This crucial resting period allows all those incredible flavors to meld together, the cake to become wonderfully tender, and the layers to set beautifully. It makes serving a dream!
Notes
Cool Cake is Key: Baking the cake is just the first step. Giving it ample time to cool completely, even chilling it in the fridge for a bit after it’s at room temperature, will prevent your whipped cream from melting. This ensures distinct, beautiful layers. The Right Bowl Makes a Difference: While any large, clear glass bowl works, a dedicated trifle bowl truly showcases the stunning layers of this dessert. It's designed to highlight the visual appeal, making your Scoop of Heaven Trifle even more impressive. Don't Skimp on Soaking: The sweetened condensed milk isn't just for sweetness; it’s what transforms regular cake into an unbelievably moist, almost pudding-like component. Ensure every cake piece gets a good drenching and give it a few minutes to truly soak in before layering. Chill Out, Seriously: This trifle is one of those rare desserts that actually gets better with time. Refrigerating it for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, allows all the flavors to deepen and meld. The cake softens, the caramel permeates, and the entire dessert becomes a cohesive, irresistible treat. It also makes for much cleaner scoops! Layering Technique: When spreading the whipped cream, be gentle. You don't want to compress the cake too much. Just a light touch to get an even layer is perfect.