Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

Published: Feb 18, 2022

Updated: Apr 07, 2024

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The BEST Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle recipe ever! Decadent layers of fudgy brownies and creamy peanut butter pudding adorned with Reese’s peanut butter cups and topped with fluffy whipped cream. This is a great dessert for potlucks or parties!

Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

This trifle dessert is a layered dessert that has plenty of creamy peanut butter pudding and whipped cream in there with a brownie as the cakey layer. This decadent trifle doesn’t have any fruit, like every other trifle you’ve seen.

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Peanut Butter Trifle Ingredients:

Brownie Mix – You can use your favorite brownie mix or homemade brownie recipe. Follow the box instructions for preparation.
Instant Pudding Mix – Make sure that you get instant pudding not Cook ‘N Serve as the other will not thicken properly.
Peanut Butter – Use classic creamy peanut butter instead of natural peanut butter for a smooth pudding layer.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – Miniature Reese’s work best for this recipe due to the chocolate to peanut butter ratio. If you are unable to get miniature Reese’s then you can use ten of the standard 1.6 ounce Reese’s packages and cut them into pieces.

If you love the combo of peanut butter and chocolate this easy brownie trifle will be your favorite. It’s perfect for entertaining because you can make it ahead of time! There are three main layers to this trifle recipe–the peanut butter pudding, homemade brownies, and the toppings in between.

How to Make Peanut Butter Pudding

Prepare brownies according to package directions for a 9-inch square pan. Cool completely.
Cut peanut butter cups in half and reserve 1/3 cup for the garnish.
In a large bowl, whisk milk and vanilla extract together, then whisk in the pudding mix. Once the mixture is smooth, whisk in the peanut butter.
Fold 1 cup of whipped topping into the peanut butter pudding.

Cut the brownies into 1-inch cubes.
To create the trifle layer place half of the brownies into the bottom of a 3 quart trifle dish, then top with half of the pudding mixture, half of the peanut butter cups, and half of the whipped topping. Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining whipped topping.
Sprinkle the reserved peanut butter cups over the top of the trifle.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.

I used a trifle dish, but if you don’t have one of those, use a large glass bowl or large glass vase. The point is to see all those yummy layers in the dessert. It’s a fun dessert to make and looks spectacular on the table. It is served in smaller cups or plates.

Make-Ahead Recipe

The brownies and pudding can be made up to 48 hours in advance, but it is best to assemble the trifle within 24 hours of serving so the brownies do not get mushy.

Homemade whipped cream can be used in place of the whipped topping. For best results, use stabilized whipped cream if you plan to serve more than a couple of hours after preparing.

Variations

You can leave out the peanut butter for a vanilla pudding layer, or use your favorite flavor of pudding. Snickers or Heath bars are delicious substitutions for Reese’s Peanut Butter cups or you can leave the candy out altogether for a brownie trifle.

Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

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Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

Decadent layers of fudgy brownies and creamy peanut butter pudding studded with Reese’s peanut butter cups and topped with fluffy whipped cream.

Prep Time: 1

Total Time: 1

Servings: servings

Equipment

9-inch square baking dish
Knife
Whisk
Mixing bowl
Trifle dish

Ingredients

▢ 1 box (19 ounces) brownie mix, plus ingredients
▢ 2 packages (10.5 ounces each) Reese’s Miniature Peanut Butter Cups
▢ 3 cups whole milk
▢ 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
▢ 2 boxes (3.4 ounces each) vanilla instant pudding mix
▢ 1 cup creamy peanut butter
▢ 16 ounces frozen whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed and divided

Instructions

Prepare brownies according to package directions for a 9-inch square pan. Cool completely.
Cut peanut butter cups in half and reserve 1/3 cup for the garnish.
In a large bowl, whisk milk and vanilla extract together, then whisk in the pudding mix. Once the mixture is smooth, whisk in the peanut butter.
Fold 1 cup of whipped topping into the peanut butter pudding.
Cut the brownies into 1-inch cubes.
To create the trifle layer place half of the brownies into the bottom of a trifle dish, then top with half of the pudding mixture, half of the peanut butter cups, and half of the whipped topping. Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining whipped topping.
Sprinkle the reserved peanut butter cups over the top of the trifle.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle