Delicious Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle in 2 Hours

Okay, let’s talk dessert! I’m a firm believer that *everyone* deserves a little decadence, no matter their dietary needs. And trust me, this Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle? It’s pure bliss. There’s just something magical about chocolate and orange together, isn’t there? That zingy citrus cutting through the rich, dark chocolate… mmm!

I remember my first trifle. It was at a school fair, all bright colours and wobbly jelly. This Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle is, shall we say, a *slightly* more sophisticated affair! But just as fun, I promise. Get ready for layers of pure deliciousness!

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle

Decadent and Delicious

Seriously, who can resist chocolate and orange? This trifle is *packed* with those rich flavors. It’s a dessert that feels like a real treat, not a compromise!

Diet-Friendly Dessert

Being vegan and gluten-free doesn’t mean missing out! This recipe proves you can have an amazing dessert that fits your lifestyle. No compromises here!

Perfect for Any Occasion

Got a birthday? Holiday gathering? Or just a Tuesday? This trifle is always a winner. It looks gorgeous and tastes even better – guaranteed to impress!

Easy to Make

Don’t let the layers fool you! This trifle is surprisingly straightforward. I promise, even beginner bakers can nail this one. You got this!

Ingredients for Your Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle

Alright, let’s gather our goodies! Don’t worry, most of this stuff is easy to find. And hey, even if you need to make a quick substitution, I’ve got you covered later on. But first, the essentials!

For the Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Cake

This is our base, so let’s get it right! You’ll need: 180ml plant-based milk (plus ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar – trust me, it works!), 75g light brown soft sugar (make sure it’s packed!), 40g dairy-free yogurt, 50g vegan butter (melted!), 140g gluten-free self-raising flour, 30g cocoa powder, the zest of 1 orange (a medium-sized one is perfect), ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda, and a pinch of salt. Sorted!

For the Vegan Chocolate Orange Custard

Custard time! Grab 320ml plant-based milk (I usually go for almond, but soy or oat works great too!), 2 tbsp sugar, 4 tbsp cornstarch, and 70g Rhythm 108 dark cocoa orange. This chocolate is the *bomb* in the custard, just wait and see!

For the Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle Assembly

Here’s where the magic really happens. You’ll need 10 Rhythm 108 dark chocolate truffles (halved), 4 Rhythm 108 dark chocolate truffles (whole) – these are the standard size, just FYI – the juice of 1 orange, 250ml vegan double cream (whipped!), 10g Rhythm 108 dark cocoa orange (grated), and 2 slices of dehydrated orange. Doesn’t that sound amazing already?

How to Prepare a Delicious Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle

Okay, deep breaths! This is where we bring it all together. Don’t panic, I’m going to walk you through every step. Get ready for some serious layering action!

Baking the Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Cake

First things first, preheat your oven to 180°c fan. It’s gotta be nice and toasty! Then, grease and line an 8inch cake tin. I like to use a little bit of vegan butter and then a piece of parchment paper – makes life *so* much easier when it comes to getting the cake out.

Now, remember those wet and dry ingredients we prepped? Gently mix the wet into the dry. Don’t overmix! Just until everything is combined. Pour that lovely batter into your prepared tin and smooth it out so it’s nice and even. Bake for about 20 minutes, but keep an eye on it! You’ll know it’s ready when it’s risen nicely and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let it cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience, my friend!

Making the Vegan Chocolate Orange Custard

While that cake is cooling, let’s whip up the custard. This is super easy. Grab a saucepan and throw in your plant-based milk, sugar, cornstarch, and that glorious Rhythm 108 dark cocoa orange chocolate. Pop it over a medium heat and whisk, whisk, whisk! Keep going for about 5 minutes, until it’s smooth and thickened. Don’t worry, it’ll continue to thicken as it cools. Set it aside – resist the urge to eat it all right now!

Assembling Your Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle

Showtime! Grab your prettiest 7-inch trifle dish. Now, roughly chop up that cooled cake. Place half of the cake pieces into the base of the dish. Drizzle over about 2 tablespoons of orange juice – this keeps it extra moist and adds a lovely zing. Then, scatter over half of those halved chocolate truffles (save some for the top, of course!). Spoon over half of your gorgeous chocolate custard.

Repeat with another layer of cake, orange juice, and custard. Finally, top it all off with that glorious whipped vegan double cream, the remaining whole and halved truffles, those fancy dehydrated orange slices, and a dusting of grated chocolate. *Wow!* Doesn’t that look incredible? Now, pop it in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours. This is the hardest part, I know, but it’s worth it! Chilling allows all those amazing flavors to meld together. Enjoy!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle

Vegan Butter

Okay, so for the vegan butter, I usually go for a block-style one, not the spreadable kind in a tub. It just gives a richer flavor, you know? But hey, if all you have is the spreadable stuff, don’t sweat it! It’ll still work. Just maybe add a *tiny* pinch more salt to the cake batter.

Gluten-Free Flour

Right, gluten-free flour can be a tricky one. I like to use a blend that already has xanthan gum in it – makes things *so* much easier. But if you’re using a plain gluten-free flour, just add about ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum to the dry ingredients. Trust me, it helps with the texture! You can learn more about xanthan gum here.

Rhythm 108 Chocolate

Okay, I’m obsessed with Rhythm 108, but I get it, it might not be easy to find everywhere. Don’t worry! Any good quality vegan chocolate that’s also gluten-free will do the trick. Just make sure it’s a dark chocolate with orange notes, if you can. That’s key!

Plant-Based Milk

For the plant-based milk, honestly, whatever you’ve got in the fridge is fine! Almond, soy, oat… they all work. I usually use almond because that’s what I drink, but feel free to experiment! Just avoid anything *too* strongly flavored, like coconut milk, or it might overpower the chocolate orange flavor.

Tips for the Best Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle

Ensuring a Moist Cake

Nobody wants a dry trifle! If your cake seems a little dry (gluten-free can be like that sometimes!), just drizzle a *little* extra orange juice over it. Works a treat!

Achieving the Perfect Custard Consistency

Custard too thick? Whisk in a splash more plant-based milk. Too thin? Mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold milk and whisk *that* in while heating. Easy peasy!

Chilling Time is Key

Seriously, don’t skip the chilling! It lets those flavors get all cozy and meld together. Plus, it helps the trifle set up nicely. Patience, young Padawan!

Preventing a Soggy Trifle

Hate a soggy bottom? (Oops, did I say that out loud?). Lightly toasting the cake pieces before layering can work wonders. Just a few minutes under the broiler, keep a close eye!

Storing Your Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle

So you’ve made this gorgeous trifle…and maybe, *just maybe*, you have leftovers? Here’s the lowdown on keeping it fresh!

How to Store Leftovers

Pop any leftover trifle into an airtight container (a lid is your friend here!). It’ll happily sit in the fridge for up to 3 days. But, let’s be real, it probably won’t last that long!

Can You Freeze Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle?

Freezing? Hmm, I wouldn’t really recommend it. The cream can get a bit weird and the cake might get soggy. Best to just enjoy it fresh, if you can! (And I bet you can!)

Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle FAQ

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are a few things folks often ask about this glorious trifle.

Can I make this Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, I kinda recommend it! You can totally make the cake and custard a day in advance. Just store them separately in the fridge, and then assemble the trifle a few hours before you want to serve it. Makes life *so* much easier, trust me!

What other fruits can I use in my Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle?

Okay, so orange is the star here, but you can definitely play around! Mandarin oranges would be amazing, or even some raspberries or strawberries for a pop of color and tartness. Just make sure whatever you use complements the chocolate!

How do I prevent the cake from becoming soggy in this Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle?

Soggy cake is a tragedy! As I mentioned before, lightly toasting the cake is a great trick. Also, don’t soak it *too* much with orange juice! A light drizzle is all you need. And make sure your custard isn’t too runny, either.

Where can I find Rhythm 108 chocolate?

Okay, so Rhythm 108 can sometimes be a bit tricky to find. I usually grab it online, or check out health food stores. But hey, if you can’t find it, don’t stress! Any good quality vegan and gluten-free dark chocolate with orange will work. Just check the labels!

Nutritional Information for Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle

Okay, so here’s the deal: I’m no nutritionist! But just so you know, nutrition info can vary *a lot* depending on the brands you use. So, this is just a rough guide, okay? Don’t take it as gospel!

Rate This Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Orange Trifle

So, did you try it? What did you think? I’d *love* to hear your feedback! Leave a rating and comment below – your thoughts help other bakers (and me!). Happy Trifle-ing!

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