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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle with Brownies

    Published: Sep 25, 2022 · Modified: Jun 26, 2024 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    There's nothing trivial about this Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle. Cool and creamy, it's a chocolate, peanut butter lover's dream come true! This decadent trifle with brownies and pretzels is a treat you will not soon forget.

    A far cry from the typical British trifle, this Chocolate peanut butter trifle with brownies and pretzels is a fresh take on an old tradition. 

    Don't get me wrong. Layers of sponge or pound cake, sometimes soaked in alcohol, with fresh fruit, custard or cream, jelly or jello is lovely and is something I wouldn't turn down.

    But, being a lifelong chocolate and peanut butter lover, this brownie trifle wins every time! On top of being incredibly delicious, this peanut butter brownie trifle is a feast for the eyes.  

    After I made this peanut butter brownie trifle, I took a sample over to my neighbor and amateur food critic, Renate. She had company and introduced me to her friend, Enzo. Recently widowed, Renate had been friends with his wife for a very long time.

    He mentioned that Renate had given him a slice of my No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie and if I made it again, he would gladly come over and pick up another slice or two! For now, I could treat him to my chocolate peanut butter trifle.

    After the first bite of my chocolate trifle, he offered to assist with taste-testing and to give his honest opinion on any of my recipes. 

    If you also love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, take a look at my recipes for chocolate peanut butter cheesecake, air fryer chocolate peanut butter swirl cake, and chocolate chip pound cake with peanut butter frosting.

    close up of the top of trifle in a bowl with pretzels and peanut butter cups on top.

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    • Everyone will love this dessert!
    • You can't beat the combination of chocolate and peanut butter.
    • The salt and crunch from the pretzels put this trifle over the top.
    • This chocolate peanut butter trifle is simple to make!
    • Easy to customize to suit your tastes.
    • A rich, decadent treat!

    Ingredients in Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle with Brownies

    A lot of these ingredients can be swapped out, but as the recipe stands, it is as close to perfection as it's going to get.

    Ingredients for Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle with Brownies
    • Chewy Fudge Brownie Mix
    • Peanut Butter Chips
    • Creamy Peanut Butter
    • Vanilla Instant Pudding
    • Milk
    • Heavy Whipping Cream
    • Sugar
    • Cocoa Powder
    • Pretzels
    • Mini Peanut Butter Cups
    • Toffee Bits or Caramel Pearls (or cut caramels into four)
    • Salted Peanuts 

    How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle with Brownies

    Here are the step-by-step photos and instructions for making this easy brownie trifle. For the complete instructions, check the printable recipe card further down on the page.

    Step One: Brownies

    1. Prepare the brownies per box instructions, with the addition of 10 ounces peanut butter morsels.

    Brownie mix in glass bowl with eggs, oil, and water.
    Stirring peanut butter chips into prepared brownie batter.

    2. Allow peanut butter brownies to fully cool before breaking apart and layering it into the bottom of your serving dish.

    Brownie batter in a baking dish.

    Step Two: Peanut Butter Pudding

    3.  Heat the peanut butter in a bowl for 30 seconds to soften.

    4. Prepare the instant pudding mix as per package instructions. After adding the milk and while stirring, slowly add the softened peanut butter.

    5. Place pudding mixture in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.

    Pouring milk into pudding mix.
    Adding softened peanut butter to milk and pudding mixture.
    Combined pudding and peanut butter in a large glass bowl.

    Step Three: Chocolate Whipped Cream

    6. In a large bowl, add heavy cream, cocoa powder, and sugar. Using a hand mixer, beat until whipped cream forms into peaks. Refrigerate until ready to put together.

    In a large bowl, adding the heavy whipping cream, cocoa powder and sugar.
    Mixing whipping cream, cocoa powder and sugar until stiff peaks form.

    Step Four: Trifle Assembly

    7. To assemble, break apart the brownies and place in an even layer on the bottom of the dish. Spoon the pudding over the brownies.

    Hand holding a piece of brownie above pan of brownies.
    A bowl full of brownie pieces.

    8. Spoon the pudding all over the brownies.

    Brownie pieces in a single layer on the bottom of a trifle dish.
    A layer of pudding covering the brownie pieces in the bottom of a trifle dish.

    9. Try and cover the brownies as best as you can.

    Peanut butter pudding on top of brownie chunks in a trifle bowl.
    Mini peanut butter cups and peanut butter morsels on top of peanut butter pudding.

    10. Add a layer of half the pretzels, half of the remaining peanut butter morsels, half of the peanuts, and half of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

    Side view of first 3 layers of chocolate peanut butter brownie trifle.

    11. Next, layer the chocolate whipped cream.

    12. Finish the top with remaining pretzels, peanut butter morsels, peanuts and peanut butter cups. Doesn't this look amazing?!

    Overhead shot of whipped cream layer in trifle dish. Small bowls of pretzels and mini peanut butter cups are next tot he trifle bowl, resting on a blue kitchen towel.
    Overhead view of finished Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Trifle.

    13. Chill or serve and enjoy every bite!

    Close Up of Fork Full of peanut butter trifle with glass of milk in the background.

    Substitutions

    Don’t have the correct ingredients on hand or want to change something up? Here are some tips for you to change this chocolate peanut butter brownie trifle recipe.

    • Brownies: Feel free to make your favorite homemade brownie recipe or use a brownie mix with nuts.
    • Pudding: Instead of the vanilla pudding mix, use a caramel pudding mix or any flavor you like with peanut butter.
    • If you don't have mini peanut butter cups, use any combination of chocolate, butterscotch and peanut butter morsels or any other candy bar you like.
    • Make a from-scratch chocolate pudding recipe if you're so inclined.
    • Swap chopped pecans, walnuts, or mixed nuts for the salted peanuts.
    • Use crushed cookies instead of the pretzels. OREO cookies would be delicious.
    white plate with black fork filled with dessert and glass of milk.

    Variations

    Want to personalize this peanut butter brownie trifle recipe? Here are some ideas to change things up.

    • Use chocolate cake instead of brownies.
    • Add additional pudding. Perhaps, in a different flavor.
    • Add additional chopped candy bars. Some suggestions are Snickers and Twix.
    • Drizzle some chocolate and/or caramel syrup over the trifle.

    If you enjoy recipes like this, take a look at this easy pumpkin trifle or our Lemon Brownie Recipe.

    Equipment

    Only a few kitchen tools are needed to make this decadent chocolate peanut butter trifle with brownies.

    • Trifle Dish or Large Glass Bowl
    • Mixing Bowl
    • Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
    Glass bowl with pudding, layers of browines, pretzels and peanut butter cups.

    Storage

    Refrigerator: Trifle can be stored well covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Freezer: Trifle is not a dessert that freezes well. Not to worry though, because there is not likely to be any leftover after 3 days.

    Very close up shot of chocolate peanut butter trifle on fork with bowl in background.

    Tips

    • Prepare all the separate components of a trifle before assembling.
    • 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.
    Bowl of peanut butter trifle in glass bowl on table with blue napkin

    FAQ

    Do you have questions about making this chocolate peanut butter and brownie trifle recipe? Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about this dessert.

    Do I need a trifle bowl to make trifle?

    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.

    Do I have to chill trifle before serving?

    While it is not required, trifle is best when served 4 to 24 hours after making.

    What is a trifle dessert?

    A traditional trifle consists of multiple layers of crumbled or cubed cake, pudding and fruit. As with this recipe that uses brownie, pudding, and an assortments of toppings, you can create layers with whatever you like.

    bowl and plate of chocolate peanut butter trifle with blue napkin background

    More Trifle Recipes

    Berry Trifle with Angel Food Cake

    Banana Pudding Cheesecake

    Caramel Brownie Trifle

    Triple Berry Trifle with Cheesecake

    As always, it's a pleasure to hear your comments. Don't be shy. We'll see you next time! 

    Side view of chocolate peanut butter brownie trifle in bowl with pretzel tops.

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle with Brownies

    Karin and Ken
    There’s nothing trivial about this Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle. Cool and creamy, it’s a chocolate, peanut butter lover’s dream come true! This decadent trifle with brownies and pretzels is a treat you will not soon forget.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 hour hr
    Chill Time 2 hours hrs
    Total Time 3 hours hrs
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20 Servings
    Calories 240 kcal

    Equipment

    • Trifle Bowl
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • brownie pan
    • microwave safe bowl
    • mixing bowl
    • whisk
    • Hand mixer
    • Rubber spatula
    • large bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 box (18.3 oz) Chewy Fudge Brownie mix, family size, 13x9
    • 20 ounces peanut butter morsels
    • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
    • 1 pkg (3 oz) package of vanilla instant pudding
    • 2 cups milk, per instant pudding instructions
    • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
    • 2 TB sugar
    • 2 TB cocoa powder
    • 2 cups pretzels
    • 15 ounces Reese’s mini peanut butter cups unwrapped

    Options

    • salted peanuts, if desired
    • toffee bits or caramel pearls (or caramels cut into four pieces)
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Pull out and measure all of your ingredients.
    • Prepare the brownies per box instructions,
    • With the addition of 10 ounces peanut of butter morsels.
    • Allow to cool fully before breaking apart and layering into the bottom of your serving dish.
    • Heat the peanut butter in a bowl for 30 seconds to soften.
    • Prepare the instant pudding mix per package instructions. After adding the milk and during the stirring,
    • Slowly add the softened peanut butter.
    • Place in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.
    • In a large bowl, add the heavy whipping cream, cocoa powder and sugar.
    • Using a hand mixer, beat until whipped cream forms stiff peaks. Refrigerate until ready to put together.
    • Now we are going to assemble the trifle.
    • Break apart the brownies.
    • Place in an even layer on the bottom of the dish.
    • Spoon the pudding all over the brownies.
    • Try and cover the brownies as best you can.
    • Add half of the remaining peanut butter morsels, and half of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
    • Add a layer of half the pretzels too.
    • You're going to LOVE this dessert.
    • Next, layer the chocolate whipped cream.
    • Finish the top with the remaining pretzels, peanut butter morsels and peanut butter cups.
    • Serve and enjoy every bite!

    Notes

    Tips
    • Prepare all the separate components of a trifle before assembling.
    • 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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1ServingCalories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 222mgPotassium: 174mgFiber: 2gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 226IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword chocolate peanut butter trifle, peanut butter brownie trifle
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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