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.
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.
- 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.
2. Allow peanut butter brownies to fully cool before breaking apart and layering it into the bottom of your serving 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.
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.
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.
8. Spoon the pudding all over the brownies.
9. Try and cover the brownies as best as you can.
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.
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?!
13. Chill or serve and enjoy every bite!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
While it is not required, trifle is best when served 4 to 24 hours after making.
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.
More Trifle Recipes
Berry Trifle with Angel Food Cake
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!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle with Brownies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box (18.3 oz) Chewy Fudge Brownie mix, family size, 13×9
- 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)
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.
- Just like this.
- 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
- 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.
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