Blood Splatter Orange Cheesecake Trifle (Dexter)

Nothing says Dexter like a Blood Splatter Orange Cheesecake Trifle perfect for your Halloween party!

Vegan | Soy-free | Gluten-free option available in the recipe notes

When it comes to Dexter, we think of Miami, crime scenes, and blood splatter analysis – not exactly the usual inspiration for a dessert! But for fans of this dark, edgy show, this vegan Blood Splatter Orange Cheesecake Trifle will bring all the deliciously sinister vibes of your favorite crime drama straight to the dessert table. This plant-based treat combines layers of citrusy orange-olive oil cake, creamy vegan orange cheesecake filling, and an eerie “blood” orange syrup that adds the perfect finishing touch of Dexter-worthy drama. The final touch? A generous topping of fluffy vegan whipped cream.

Perfect for Halloween, a Dexter watch party, or just when you want a dessert that’s wickedly indulgent, this trifle will have your guests coming back for more – no forensic analysis required!

Blood Splatter Orange Cheesecake Trifle

One of the highlights of this trifle is the orange-olive oil cake, which is a delightful adaptation of my original lemon-olive oil cake recipe. While the original version delivered a zesty, tangy punch with lemon, this variation embraces the bright, sunny flavors of orange, perfectly capturing the vibrant, tropical feel of Miami—the setting of Dexter. The olive oil adds a richness and moist texture to the cake, balancing the citrus beautifully. This cake layer forms the heart of the trifle, providing a fragrant, soft base that soaks up the vegan cheesecake filling and blood orange syrup, creating a truly indulgent and harmonious flavor experience.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the show or just looking for a fun, spooky dessert, this recipe delivers on taste, texture, and twisted fun.

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Blood Splatter Orange Cheesecake Trifle (Dexter)

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Serves: 6-8 Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cooking Time: 1 Hour 1 Hour Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

Orange Olive Oil Cake:

• ¾  cup olive oil
• ½  cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk, I use coconut
• 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 2 tbsp fresh orange zest
• ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½  cup brown sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½  tsp baking powder
• ½  tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt

Orange Cheesecake filling:

• 16oz vegan cream cheese
• 1 ½ cups confectioners sugar
• 3 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Blood-y Orange Syrup:

• 2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
• 2-4 tbsp orange juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• A few drops of red food coloring, oil-based

Other ingredients:

• Vegan Whipped Cream

Procedure

Orange Olive Oil Cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line the bottom of an 8″ or 9″ cake pan with a piece of parchment paper. Generously spray the pan with cooking spray and set it aside.
2. In a mixing bowl whisk together olive oil, apple sauce, non-dairy milk, orange juice, orange zest, almond & vanilla extract, and sugar until the mixture is thick and consistent. 
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet, whisking until the dry ingredients are evenly hydrated and the batter is thick and smooth.
5. Pour cake into the prepared pan and bake for 50-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. 
6. When done, remove from oven and let cool for about 30 minutes. Then flip the cake onto a cooling rack, and allow it to cool completely.

Orange Cheesecake Filling:

1. Using a stand or a hand mixer, mix all of the cheesecake filling ingredients on high speed for about 2 minutes. 
2. Once done, transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover with lid, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Blood-y Orange Syrup:

1. In a bowl, whisk together sifted powdered sugar, orange juice, vanilla extract, and food coloring. 
2. Adjust orange juice as necessary to achieve a thin glaze for drizzling or pouring over the trifle. The glaze should be smooth with no lumps.
3. Store in an airtight container. Note: When stored in a refrigerator, this “syrup” will harden as it’s more like a glaze. For serving, allow the mixture to melt at room temperature and remix if separation happens. 

Assemble:

1. Once the cake is completely cooled, decide how you want to assemble the trifle. You can either cut the cake in small cubes, cut it in circles using a cookie cutter, or break it with your hands into medium-sized pieces for a messier look. 
2. Either in a tall glass or whiskey glass, layer the trifle as follows: a drizzle of the blood-y orange syrup, followed by pieces of cake and then cheesecake filling. Repeat that pattern until you reach the top of the glass, and top the trifle with some whipped cream. 
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve, and ENJOY!

Notes

For a gluten-free cake, use gluten-free flour.

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Now go ahead and enjoy your sweet, blood-splattered masterpiece – just be careful not to leave any forensic evidence behind!

Make sure to check out my other Halloween recipes here.

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