Everyone has their version of this dessert, and this actually comes from my sister, it’s one of her family’s favorite desserts! And it’s so easy to make ahead it’s great for when you’ll be having lots of company over, or going to a party and bringing a treat.
Rather than just make cake this trifles layers all the goopy goodness and ends up SO moist and delicious. My sisters version just uses cool whip, but I like making my own whipped cream. BUT you want to be able to make it a day ahead and not totally dissolve, so STABILIZED whipped cream!
Better than Sex trifle recipe
This better than sex trifle recipe is made with homemade chocolate cake, fresh whipped cream, homemade caramel sauce, toffee, and drenched in sweetened condensed milk for a messy and delicious dessert!
Print Pin RatePrep Time: 30 minutes
chill time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 239kcal
Ingredients
- 1 chocolate cake baked and cooled Devils Food Cake is a good flavor option if you like box mixes
- 16 oz Stabilized whipped cream or cool whip
- 1 1/2 C caramel sauce or jar of store bought caramel sauce
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 5-6 skor bars/ heath bars chopped
Instructions
- Cut the cake into 1 inch sections. Place half on the bottom of your trifle dish.
- Then pour half the can of sweet and condensed milk across the top, then half the caramel, then sprinkle with skor pieces, finish with half the whipped cream.
- Repeat the cake/milk/caramel/skor/cream layer
- Sprinkle the top with MORE skor bars (and a decorative whipped cream border).
- NOW let the trifle sit 8 hours or over night in the fridge! This will let everything set and get extra goopy!
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 168mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 195IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 0.9mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @ashleemariecakes or tag #makesomeawesome!
Serve and enjoy!!! What do you think? Do you have a favorite “better than sex” recipe?
With the right tips and tricks, I believe YOU can make, bake, or create anything. This is what I love to do - make some awesome, teach you how, and give you that boost of culinary confidence you need to rock your own kitchen!
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heather
Yum! I miss this cake! I used to use caramel syrup instead of the condensed milk. I love the idea of turning it into a trifle!
Ashlee
my sister INSISTS on using BOTH the caramel and condensed milk, so I did! Let me know if you try it and what you think of it.
Genevieve
What if you combined the caramel and condensed milk and then poured it over the brownie layer? Would it make much of a difference?
Ashlee
it would just soak in differently, I wouldn’t but you totally can if you want!
April Ciolek
This is devils food cake, right? I don’t think brownies would soak up the goodness as well as the cake?
Ashlee
personally I make my from scratch chocolate cake, but yes, the box devils food cake is the classic one most people use, not a brownie… but I wonder if maybe alternating a brownie would be good… oohhhhh totally trying that next time!
Rhianon
I’ve made it with cake once and brownie once. Hands down, the brownie is way better! I brought it to my husbands work party and people were literally licking the bowl clean! The brownie is fudgier and more moist. Will only make it with brownie from now on. Delicious!
Aydee
I use both an it’s amazing. Always a big hit wherever I take it.
Rita Spackman
I made this already and used brownies. Took it to a party with my sister-in-laws and they loved it!!
sandy
I use Mrs. Richardson’s butterscotch caramel in a jar & lots of pecan chips with Heath chips with chocolate. It’s amazing!!!
Ashlee
I now make my OWN caramel sauce, it’s AMAZING!
hannah
HI! just made this, do i HAVE to let it sit overnight/8 hours?? lol I’m on hour 4 and really wanna dig in!
Ashlee
hahahaha, I know the feeling – but yes it will get better and better with that soaking time, but of course it’s totally edible right away
Kate Rich
You dont have to make your own…Carnation condensed milk also do a tinned caramel sauce where their sweetened condensed milk has been boiled until it turns into a toffee/ caramel sauce. Before this people had to boil the milk up themselves to get the caramel sauce..and it was a faff to say the least
Ashlee Marie
I prefer homemade caramel sauce – boiling the sweetened condensed milk results in a thick sauce, but as long as you like it that’s all that matters
Justin
I LOVE better than sex cake, it’s SO good so I have no doubt this is amazing too! Btw, it totally cracked me up that when I say the direct link to this (I found you via Pinterest) the url extension is “sex trifle..” Yes, I know that sounds totally immature, but can you imagine if you dropped the “better than” part of the recipe name?
Ashlee
ha! I have a plug in that get’s rid of “unnecessary words” poor choice this time around, I should have double checked it!
Justin
That’s even more hilarious that a plug in took out “unnecessary words” and you ended up with that. Again, yes I know I sound totally immature, I just can’t help it sometimes! lol
Ashlee
Apparently I have the same sense of humor, I thought it was hilarious too!
Justin
Ashlee, so glad we have a similar sense of humor so you’re not over there thinking “I SO wish this girl was NOT one of my readers!” lol
Ashlee
ha! not at all!!! I love it. Seriously there is a reason I was sent 3 boys and not just all girls like I grew up with.
Jenifer
Just made this for a St Patrick’s day party. Added green food coloring to your stabilized whip cream and it looks really festive!! Thanks for the great recipe!
Ashlee
ohhhh I bet it looked amazing and tasted great!
GiGi Eats
Naked man in my bed… This trifle in the kitchen… Can I bring it into bed with me? LOL
Ashlee
if he agrees to clean up the mess… 😉
Heather
Should this be refrigerated?
Ashlee
I would, for the whipping cream, but if you stabilize the cream it can stay out during your party/evening without issue
Darren
So. I just used this with carrot cake and added butterscotch pudding to the layers and some diced apples. Amazing.
Ashlee
oh DANG that sounds good!
Regina
How about using the canned apples for pie filling?
Aggie
Hello Ashlee, I have a question about the Better than sex trifle recipe – I will run out of time if I make this recipe ..what will happen to recipe if I leave it in refrig for two day?
Thank you
Aggie
Ashlee
I’m sorry but I’m totally confused by your question – if you run out of time to make the recipe what exactly are you putting in the fridge for 2 days – if it’s not made…
Bee Beam
I can almost taste the Kahlua in the adults only version of this. Traditional trifle often had brandy or liqueur soaked cake for a layer. Another variation would be Grand Marnier or Cointreau as chocolate orange is also yummy. Peppermint Schnapps? Baileys? Too many choices. Thanks for sharing!
Ashlee
Sounds like a solid plan! let me know how it goes!
Gigi
I’m guessing you could replace the Heath with cut up Snickers bars (I love almond!) or any other candy bar you fancy. Delish!
Ashlee Marie
any candy you like
Shelley
Hello,
I’ve had something very similar to this in the past but chocolate pudding was used in place of sweetened condensed milk. Personally I find SC Milk a little too sweet and would prefer to use the pudding but it’s all a matter of personal preference. Someone mentioned brownies which sounds pretty yummy so I think I’m going to add some chunks of brownie to the chocolate cake pieces. My son has discovered a love of trifle and it’s his birthday tomorrow. I think I will make this for his birthday “cake.” Last year he asked for a birthday pie so I’m sure he’ll be totally on board with a birthday trifle. Thanks for the recipe.
Margo
Nommm!
Ashlee, what is the purpose of gelatin in the whipped cream?
Ashlee Marie
it stabilizes the whipped cream so it holds it’s shape over time
Marir
Love this! My husbands birthday is this week (7/13) and I think this will be great!!!! Make cake in advance…. early in morning (it’s really hot in Texas right now) and assemble the day before.
Tammy
Save the method to stabilize the whipped cream w/gelatin. I use it in all of my recipes calling for it! I will try this!
Lynn Rackley
Ashlee, I have a question about the amount of cake needed. Are you saying one, 8 inch single layer cake?
Ashlee
my sister uses a regular chocolate cake from a box mix, so I use my chocolate cake recipe but since mine makes a taller 3 layered cake I either cut it by 2/3rd for this recipe or I make the full recipe and only cut up 2/3rd and eat the scraps of the rest
Tracie
I am a very novice cook, and I am trying this one tonight. However, it says to “let it set 8 hours or over night!” My question is.. let it set on the fridge or on the counter.. I wasn’t sure which and now it’s been setting out for 6 hours and i want to be sure it’s ok to serve to my family later….
Ashlee
refrigerate it wouldn’t be safe to leave anything with whipped cream out that long.
Arpi
Hi,
What can I substitute for the health bar?
Ashlee
homemade toffee, or skor bars
Stefanie Chmura
Love the trifle so much. Can you tell me what mixer that is that you used?
Ashlee
It’s a bosch universal mixer – been around since the 50’s! I grew up with one, my mom’s is 40 years old and still going strong! Their website is here (they have sales around Mothers day and Pre Christmas) http://bit.ly/Ilovemybosch or you can find it on amazon too http://amzn.to/210Eyra I have a full review here http://ashleemarie.com/bosch-universal-mixer-review-love-bosch-series/
Jag
Does it need to be covered with cling wrap before it’s refrigerated?
Ashlee
I do, otherwise the whipped cream will develop a crust – but everything else will be okay
Melba T. Mann
Dear Ashley,
I will try the recipe soon. I would like to know how to pronounce “Trifle”. In the food department i mean. I know if you are using it in a sentence, it would be pronounced Triiiiifle, with a long E. In a dessert is it the same pronunciation? This has always concerned me. Thanks for your help.
Melba T. Mann
Ashlee
here you go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh0UfIMR_n4
Irene Bautista
When wrapping in cling wrap, I usually use chop sticks (or some other barrier) to keep Cool Whip from sticking to the wrap. Additionally, when I make this trifle, I use chocolate pudding with a shot of Kaluha and add Baileys to the Cool Whip for some added oomph!
Carla
Hi! If I use store bought cool whip, & make this the day before a party will it still be good & hold up? Thank you!!😀
Ashlee Marie
yup – that’s why I use stabilized whipped cream (not a fan of cool whip)
Gracie Miller
What kind of gelatin would I use?
Ashlee Marie
normal unflavored gelatin https://amzn.to/36PTORz
Ashley
Hey! I wanted to make this trifle for a Christmas party but wanted to know if you have ideas of what I could add to make for the holidays. Maybe like andy’s mints? Thank you
Ashlee Marie
maybe switch out the caramel sauce for hot fudge and use andes mints, or peppermint chips
Lisa
I’m making mine in parfait cups for Church. Can I use Betty Crocker cake mix?
Also, if I make it Saturday will it be okay to serve for Sunday?
Ashlee Marie
I recommend from scratch cakes as box mixes are so spongy they’ll get super soggy, but personal preference. and yes making it the day before is when you want to make it
Nicole
Making this right now! Do you need to heat store bought caramel to get it to pour over?
Ashlee Marie
maybe slightly, but don’t over heat
Irene Bautista
When wrapping in cling wrap, I usually use chop sticks (or some other barrier) to keep Cool Whip from sticking to the wrap. Additionally, when I make this trifle, I use chocolate pudding with a shot of Kaluha and add Baileys to the Cool Whip for some added oomph!
Elsea Morneau
It was hit on my New Year’s Eve party. I cut the chocolate cake recipe in half and it worked. I will definitely make it again and again. Your recipe is easy to follow, thank you for sharing.
Rea
Genius idea of doing it as trifle- making it for Valentines treat for work, after taking out of fridge putting maraschino cherries in heart shape on top! Thank you <3
Liz
The subscribe option is not popping up.
Could I subscribe to your site? Love your recipes. Thank you.
Ashlee Marie
legally I can’t add you – the sign up is in the side bar
Norene
Since it needs 8 hours to soak up all that goodness, why not wait to put your decorative finish on until closer to time for serving? Cling wrap will mess up the pretty border. Thanks for a great recipe!
Ashlee Marie
i just don’t like making two batches of the stabilized whipped cream but yes that’s a good way to go.
Kathy Glass
I’ve made this with VERY fudgy brownies & it’s YUMMY.
Pam
How do you stabilize whip cream?
Ashlee Marie
here you go https://ashleemarie.com/stabilized-whipped-cream/
Freddie Fabbrizzi
How about sweet potato and cacao and powdered sugar filling covered with chocolate
Dorothy
In your discussion of corn syrup you might mention that commercial corn syrup (like Karo) is NOT high fructose corn syrup; in fact it is pure glucose, and has no fructose at all.
High fructose corn syrup is the “demon” corn syrup people love to hate. Karo isn’t it.
Ashlee Marie
exactly!
Averille Barry
LOL, how could this ever be called “better than sex” cake if it takes this long to prepare? Sounds like you dont pay for your electricity or maybe be sponsored. I can just look at a picture and do my own thing. I guess one could do just about anything with a trifle, however I was drooling when I saw this chocolatey trifle, but 6hrs cooking time? NO WAY. Dont deisre it any more. Should a delicious any kinda meal take this long to prepare…..maybe if you don’t need to do anything else but just preparing food.
Sorry, not meaning to be negative, just my personal and honest opinion. I am from South Africa, not all ingredients are available either and not to mention what we pay for our electricity, government taking their share too.
Ashlee Marie
I think you miss-understood the recipe – the total time is that long because you let it sit overnight to soak up all the caramel, whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk. the only baking is however long it takes to bake whatever cake you choose to make. I do pay my own electricity bill, this is not a sponsored video, the actual work time in putting this together is just 30 mins, the 6 hours is simply chill time in the fridge.
Lisa
I’ve made something similar but with brownies, then pour Kahlua over the brownies and let it soak overnight. Very decadent! A little goes a long way!
Ashlee Marie
I bet it’s a super popular dish!!!
Michelle
I’m just wondering if I am able to make the whipped cream the night before? I was hoping to make everything on Friday night and then prepare the trifle the morning of for a dinner party.
Ashlee Marie
once you stabilize it it will set, so you’ll want to add it to the trifle while it’s still flexible
Ann
Looks great!!!
Vickie
Can you please help me? I live in Australia and have not heard of Scors bars or Heath bars. The trifle sounds wonderful, but would like to make it as close as possible to your recipe. Suggested substitutes please?
Ashlee Marie
it’s commercial toffee bars – any crushed toffee with work
Elize
My husband loves Trifle especially over the Festive Holidays, I think he must use your recipe Ashlee it is not complicated, it looks gorgeous and I am sure we will all enjoy this, Thank you so much for sharing it is going to be really Festive this year, we are in the Southern Hemisphere so it is extremely hot, too hot for the traditional Fruit steam pudding, we use trifles, ice creams and cool deserts. I will shop for a pretty trifle glass container so that the presentation would be spectacular like yours. Happy Holidays.
Deanna
I make this exact recipe but always use Resse’s Peanut Butter Cups! And it always receives rave reviews!
Ashlee Marie
that sounds fantastic!
Nancy Powers
What is the mixer you use. It’s so different looking.
Ashlee Marie
it’s a bosch universal mixer http://bit.ly/Ilovemybosch
Fran
This looks delicious however, does the pretty whipped cream hold up sitting in the refrigerator after all those hours?
Can’t wait to try this out, possibly for one of our Ladies Supper Club night!!!
Ashlee Marie
that’s why I stabilize the whipped cream
Mary Clark
I am definitely going to try this! My aunt has a recipe for Better than sex cake, I have never made, but you have just inspired me.
Elize
Hi Ashlee Marie, this trifle is like death by chocolate! I am going to “save” the recipe, if my husband sees this on the emails, he will wish me to put this together right now! I really would love to make this a bit later, perhaps give them a good treat for Easter, the Easter weekend is 4 days!! I am so trying to loose weight, how can I with such deliciousness floating around? Thanks for sharing, I will make this according to your recipe. Looking forward to also show off a bit, yikes, I need a trifle glass dish!!
Susan
I make this with a yellow cake, drizzle with cold coffee, cover with chocolate pudding, cover with whipped cream a d sprinkle with crushed heath bars, and repeat! It’s delicious!
Jnett
Haha don’t you just love it when people just look at the time and don’t actually read the recipe then comment on things they have no idea about because ….THEY DIDN’T READ THE RECIPE!! Geez. Anyway, I did make something like this recipe but used brownies w/walnuts, beat cheese with the cool whip and powdered sugar and layered it like the recipe using the caramel and condensed milk….didn’t let it set but an hour in the fridge before serving…oh and I added butterfinger bits with the heath bits….totally divine! Big hit at the party….nothing left!
Kathleen
OMG….made this for a bbq and my guest LOVED it!,!!
Jackie
looks heavenly! any suggestions for a spooky Halloween adult party version??
Ashlee Marie
so sorry to get betting back to you late- you can color the caramel sauce red, it makes a gooey thick “blood”. You can dye the whipped cream tan and pipe the tip into a “brain” then add a drizzle of “blood” over it.
Laura Minx
I just made your recipe looks fsntastic,I am wondering if I made it to early.It will set in the fridge overnight and will not be eaten to the following evening. will it be ok?
Ashlee Marie
totally okay