Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle with Pretzels

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! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle

As the warmer seasons arrive, so does our desire for cooler meals and treats. A far cry from the typical British trifle, this Chocolate peanut butter trifle with 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!  

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.

I remembered Renate talking about Enzo. She called him her upbeat Italian friend. Always joking, he never has a bad word to say about anyone. His mission in life is to make everyone he meets, smile!

Pretty admirable for someone who just lost his wife. 

Easy Recipe to Share with Friends

Enzo is an incredible handyman, but when it comes to making food, he admits he could use a little help in that department. His wife used to do all the cooking and baking. Enzo could barely boil water. 

We began talking about my recipes, and that he was welcome to check them out any 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!

I knew that meant he loved peanut butter and chocolate. Then I went to get him some of this chocolate peanut butter trifle to try too, and Renate made him wait until after they’d finished lunch to try it.

I could see the look of anticipation on his face as he rushed through eating his sandwich. 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. 

I readily agreed as I’m always open to hearing what others have to say about my dishes. 

And I’ve made it my mission in life to give you recipes that turn into the most fabulous meals and desserts that will put a smile on everyone’s face.

Once I heard the two had lunch and loved this chocolate peanut butter trifle, it put a big old smile on my own face! Frankly, it made my day.

Sounds crazy, but I always wonder when I publish recipes, whether anyone will like them besides me and my family. Know what I mean? Maybe it’s just me.

When it comes to this peanut butter chocolate trifle, it confirmed we’re not the only ones who LOVE it.

Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

As it turned out, Renate shared per peanut butter brownie trifle with Enzo, but kept the other serving for herself for later. She giggled as she told me.

Enzo admitted he’s never been a huge fan of sweets, he said this peanut butter brownie trifle was exceptional.  

On the other hand, Renate loved all of it, and gave this chocolate brownie trifle a two thumbs up.

One bite and I think you’ll agree, it’s a bowl of chocolate peanut butter comfort food. More than that, it’s such a mouthwatering masterpiece, family and friends demand a repeat performance!

Perfect for any occasion or no occasion at all, any old excuse will do. 

What I love about this chocolate peanut butter brownie recipe is that each ingredient is wonderful in and of itself. Put them all together, and you have a real treasure in a bowl! How cool is that?

Brownie Peanut Butter Trifle 

We grew up eating desserts. It’s just what we did. It was the perfect way of ending a good meal, and I carried on that tradition as we raised our son. Over time, the quality of desserts got better and better.

From the first day I made it, Patrick was crazy in LOVE with this chocolate peanut butter trifle. Ditto for my husband. 

Assuming you already have milk, sugar and cocoa powder, with a few extra items like fudge brownie mix, pudding, peanut butter, whipping cream, peanut butter cups and pretzels, you can create one magical treat!

Feel free to add an extra pudding. Maybe a different flavor. Pick your favorites and make this recipe work for you.  Treats are always a welcome sight in my home. Who in their right mind would refuse?

Start from scratch by making brownies homemade or chocolate pudding homemade if you’re so inclined. Homemade always pays off, but so does convenience too. No need to do that extra work if time is a factor which it is for many of us.

Store-bought items will still bring you the results you’re looking for. This Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle with Pretzels recipe is one I come back to over and over again. Try it once and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Peanut Butter Trifle

As mentioned earlier, peanut butter trifle is a far cry from traditional trifle, but it’s divine just the same. Maybe even more so if peanut butter and chocolate are your thing.

Although fruit isn’t in the picture, consider what you’re getting instead. This chocolate peanut butter trifle is a work of art. A chocolate feast for the eyes, and a taste that’s hard to resist. 

Salted peanuts, toffee bits, caramel pearls or caramels cut into pieces are always a welcome addition. 

With fabulous ingredients like these, keeping curious people out of the kitchen could be challenging as you put this dynamite dessert together.

This decadent dessert is sure to impress when feeding a crowd, no matter how big or small. Make it the day before the event, so there’s one less thing to worry about.  

Do I need a trifle bowl to make a trifle?

Since the trifle is layered, using a glass bowl with straight edges is best to show off those beautiful layers!

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.

I’ve even made individual trifles in glass measuring cups for my husband and son. Not a word or complaint was said. And why there be? The taste of the trifle is outstanding no how it’s served. 

Although displaying your trifle in a glass bowl is ideal, it isn’t mandatory. When my son was small, we ate from cute, plastic cups and no one seemed to mind one bit.

Consider serving trifle in shot glasses so everyone gets to sample a few bites. Small and perfectly portioned, it can minimize the guilt, while indulging at the same time. 

Decide what’s best for you and go for it!

Peanut Butter Trifle Ingredients

What excites me about making this trifle is how flexible you can be with the ingredients. For example, if you’re wild about chocolate peanut butter cups, use more. If not, use less.

Peanut butter, chocolate or caramel chips make great alternatives.  

Speaking of caramel, squeezing a little caramel syrup over the trifle makes it all the more decadent. Chocolate syrup works too!

How about adding a package of chocolate pudding to go with the vanilla? Cut up chunks of your favorite chocolate bar, and you’ve got a trifle that’s over the top!  

The possibilities of what you can do with this incredible dessert are truly endless. Here are the basics:

• chewy fudge brownie mix
• peanut butter chips
• creamy peanut butter
• vanilla instant pudding
• 2 cups milk (per instant pudding instructions)
• heavy whipping cream
• sugar
• cocoa powder
• pretzels
• mini peanut butter cups
• toffee bits or caramel pearls (or cut caramels into four)
• salted peanuts 

Topping the whole thing with salted peanuts, gives it that perfect crunchy, salty component completes this dessert and will exceed everyone’s expectations!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle Instructions

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

9. Next, layer the chocolate whipped cream.

10. Finish the top with remaining pretzels, peanut butter morsels and peanut butter cups.

Trifle 

All this chocolate and peanut butter may be too much for some. Make this trifle with any type of cake mix or flavored pudding you’re heart desires. Instead of a fudge brownie cake mix, consider making this trifle with any of these cake mixes:

• Vanilla or French vanilla – classics 
• Butterscotch 
• Caramel
• Rainbow 
• Yellow 
• Devil’s Food 
• Red Velvet
• Angel Food 
• Pound 

These are just some that come to mind that will go nicely with peanut butter. I’m sure there are others.

When it comes to making trifle, there’s no shortage of different flavored puddings either. Here are a few suggestions:

• Strawberry
• Banana
• Vanilla
• Peanut Butter
• Caramel or Butterscotch
• Boston cream
• Tapioca or Rice
• Peach 
• Lemon

With some of these puddings and cake mixes, you may want to take peanut butter out of equation and replace it with layers of fruit, wafers and whipped cream instead. For example, lemon pudding would go beautifully with fresh blueberries, strawberries or cranberries. Or a mixture of all three!

Instead of pretzels for crunch, consider topping the trifle with crumbled Oreos, chopped walnuts or pecans, slivered almonds or shredded coconut. Choose a topping that matches the cake mix and pudding, and you’ve got a trifle that’s unique to your taste!   

The different types of trifles you can make will astound you!  And your tribe will keep coming back for more.   

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!