This Brownie Trifle recipe is a rich and creamy dessert that makes quite a statement. An indulgent treat with layers of chocolate brownie, caramel, creamy cheesecake pudding, and whipped cream. What's not to love about trifle with brownies?
This brownie trifle recipe will make you want to skip dinner and go straight for dessert. Don’t worry, we don’t judge around here.
When you mix fudgy brownies, rich caramel sauce, and cheesecake pudding, you get this mind-blowingly delicious chocolate brownie trifle. Trifle with brownies will be your new favorite thing!
It is sinfully delicious and has ruined my diet, but it was worth every single bite. I almost wish there were something wrong with it so I could make it again. There are perks to being your own taste-tester!
This brownie trifle is a showstopper of a dessert, but it is very simple to make. You can easily assemble this creamy and decadent chocolate dessert in less than 20 minutes.
I love how a trifle looks like a work of art on the table, yet it is one of the simplest desserts to pull off. It is nice when things work out like that.
If you're a fan of amazing desserts that are simple to make, take a look at this no-bake chocolate pie and strawberry charlotte cake.
I'm not going to lie. This Caramel Brownie Trifle is so good you're likely to indulge a little too much. I recommend having it after a light meal such as honey smoked salmon paired with a nice salad.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- It is worth saying again that this trifle with brownies is very easy to make.
- You can easily customize this brownie dessert to suit your tastes.
- It travels well in the car for a potlucks. Just be sure to hold it upright!
- Brownie trifle will keep longer than those made with angel food cake or pound cake.
- Just about everyone will love the combination of caramel, brownies, and cheesecake.
Ingredients in Caramel Brownie Trifle
Only a few ingredients are needed to make this delicious caramel brownie trifle dessert. Exact measurements are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Brownie Mix, plus ingredients needed to make
- Instant Cheesecake Pudding Mix, plus ingredients to make
- Whipped Topping
- Caramel Topping
- Caramel Filled Chocolate Candy (optional topping)
- Chocolate Shavings and Toffee Bits, if desired
Substitutions and Variations
Don’t have the correct ingredients on hand? Want to personalize this chocolate caramel trifle with brownies? Trifle recipes are highly adaptable. Here are some helpful ideas to change this chocolate trifle recipe.
- Instead of brownies you can use chocolate pound cake or prepared chocolate cake mix.
- Not a fan of caramel? Make this with a raspberry topping instead!
- Swap the frozen whipped topping for a homemade whipped cream.
- Add a layer of crushed OREO cookies.
- Use a salted caramel topping to balance the sweetness of this dessert.
- Make them mini. Use dessert cups or canning jars to make individual trifles. This is great for a party.
- Trade the blondies for something truly unique like these butterscotch brownies or vanilla brownies.
- Mix in some candy. Chop up your favorite candy bars into bite-sized chunks and add them between the layers of caramel and brownies.
How to Make Caramel Brownie Trifle
Here's how to create the layers of this delicious caramel and chocolate trifle. You're going to love how simple this is to make! See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for detailed instructions.
Step One: Brownie Layer
Layer cut-up brownie squares at the bottom of your serving bowl. Be sure to squeeze the brownies together so that they will hold up the wet ingredients. Note you will want to make sure that you cut enough brownies for three separate layers of brownies.
Step Two: Pudding Layer
Add a layer of cheesecake pudding. To layer your cheesecake pudding, you can use about half or one-third of your pudding, depending on how many layers you want to make. I made two large layers in my trifle bowl, so I used half of the pudding for each layer.
Step Three: Whipped Topping Layer
Top the cheesecake pudding layer with half of the whipped topping mixture. If you are making a third layer and using smaller layers, instead, use only a third of this whipped topping. Spread your whipped topping evenly to cover all of the cheesecake pudding layers.
Step Four: Caramel Topping Layer
For the final layer of your brownie trifle, pour on about half of your caramel topping. Just a little note do not warm up your caramel sauce as that could use your whipping topping to melt and become runny. Your caramel sauce should be thick and gooey. I don’t know about you, but I just want to eat the caramel sauce by the spoonful.
Step Five: Repeat
Now it is time to repeat your layers a second time. Start again with brownies and then cheesecake, whipped topping, and caramel layer. End with brownies on the top of your trifle.
Step Six: Trifle Toppings
Top the trifle with the remaining whipped topping, brownie pieces, and caramel candy.
Storage
Refrigerator: This Caramel Brownie Trifle recipe can be stored well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Unfortunately, trifle cannot be frozen. Milk based products do not freeze well, so the pudding would not hold up in the freezer. Not to worry though, because there is not likely to be any leftover after 3 days.
What to Serve with Brownie Trifle
When serving a delicious brownie trifle, you might wonder what other dishes or beverages can complement its rich, wonderful, chocolatey flavor. Here are a few suggestions to create the perfect menu:
Appetizers: Consider offering a variety of cheese and crackers, a fruit salad, crispy parmesan bacon bites, cheesy mushroom appetizer toasts, easy mushroom on toast appetizer with avocado, or crispy cheese bruschetta bites.
Main Course: Balance out the richness of the brownie trifle with a lighter main course like margarita grilled chicken, one of our healthy chicken and shrimp recipes, tex-mex shrimp bowl, easy tortellini pesto salad, or Mediterranean tortellini caprese salad can also be excellent choices.
Another option is a baked pasta dish, such as best baked stuffed pasta shells or copycat Olive Garden stuffed shells that are not too heavy.
Tips
- Prepare all the separate components of a trifle before assembling.
- If possible, prepare the brownies a few hours ahead and chill in the refrigerator before cutting. This will make them easier to cut, and you can get more uniform pieces.
- Once you've mixed up the pudding layer, store in the fridge until ready to assemble the trifle.
- Individual trifles served in glasses are a fun way of serving this dessert.
- There are no set rules to making trifle. Use your own preferences to make something delicious that you will enjoy.
- I have a beautiful trifle bowl with a stand that I LOVE to serve this trifle in, because it sits up high on the table for everyone to see. It showcases the trifle beautifully! Occasionally I will use my glass salad bowl and it works just fine.
- Refrigerate the chocolate brownie trifle for 2-3 hours before serving. This makes serving more manageable, and the layers hold together better. It also allows the flavors to meld together.
FAQ
Do you have questions about making this caramel brownie trifle recipe? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this dessert.
Since the trifle is layered, using a glass bowl with straight edges is best to show off the beautiful layers. A large glass bowl or glasses with individual servings will suffice, as well.
Yes, you can make trifle the night before and store in the refrigerator. While it is not required, trifle is best when served 4 to 24 hours after making. For best presentation add any top layer of whipped cream just before serving.
A traditional English trifle consists lady fingers that have been soaked in sherry, berries, custard, and whipped cream.
More Trifle Recipes
If you're specifically looking for more trifle recipes, take a look at these:
Caramel Brownie Trifle
Ingredients
- 2 boxes brownie mix I used Ghirardelli triple fudge brownie mix
- 2 boxes (3.4 oz) instant cheesecake pudding mix
- 2 cups milk
- 1 large tub whipped topping
- 1 jar or bottle jar caramel topping
Options
- caramel filled chocolate candy optional for topping
- add chocolate shavings and toffee bits, if desired
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the pudding and milk until smooth. Place in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble.
- Bake the brownies according to package instructions in 2 9x9 baking pans. Let the brownies cool completely, the invert onto a cutting board and cut into 2 inch by 2 inch bite-sized pieces.
- Place ⅓ of the brownie pieces in a single layer on the bottom of a trifle dish. Top with ⅓ of the cheesecake pudding and smooth into an even later.
- Add ⅓ of the whipped topping on top of the pudding and smooth.
- Top the whipped cream with about ⅓ of the caramel sauce and smooth as well as you can. Repeat for two more layers.
- Top the trifle with the remaining whipped topping, brownie pieces, and caramel candy.
- Refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. After this time, the cake can get soggy.
- NOTES:
- If possible, prepare the brownies a few hours ahead and chill in the refrigerator before cutting. This will make them easier to cut and you can get more uniform pieces.
- Refrigerate the trifle before serving, this make serving easier and the layers hold together better. It also allows the flavors to combine nicely.
Notes
- Prepare all the separate components of a trifle before assembling.
- If possible, prepare the brownies a few hours ahead and chill in the refrigerator before cutting. This will make them easier to cut, and you can get more uniform pieces.
- Once you’ve mixed up the pudding layer, store in the fridge until ready to assemble the trifle.
- Individual trifles served in glasses are a fun way of serving this dessert.
- Refrigerate the chocolate brownie trifle for 2-3 hours before serving. This makes serving more manageable, and the layers hold together better. It also allows the flavors to meld together.
Nutrition
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