Heaven In A Bowl is the ultimate layered dessert that combines all the best flavors in one decadent trifle. With fudgy brownie chunks, creamy peanut butter, rich vanilla pudding, and layers of mini Reese’s cups, each spoonful is a blissful mix of chocolatey, peanut buttery goodness. This dessert is perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or whenever you need a sweet treat that’s sure to impress!
The process is simple, yet the results are show-stopping. Start with a base layer of chewy brownie pieces, followed by a smooth, peanut butter-infused vanilla pudding. Add in a sprinkle of halved Reese’s cups for extra texture and flavor, and repeat these layers to build a gorgeous, indulgent trifle. Topped with a layer of fluffy Cool Whip and garnished with even more Reese’s cups, this dessert looks as heavenly as it tastes.
After a short chill in the fridge, the layers meld together into a creamy, dreamy dessert that’s easy to serve and sure to disappear fast. Each layer complements the next, creating a dessert that’s rich, sweet, and perfectly balanced. Serve it in a large glass trifle dish to show off the beautiful layers, and get ready for everyone to ask for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle:
Ultimate Indulgence: Every layer is a treat—soft brownies, creamy peanut butter pudding, and crunchy Reese’s peanut butter cups. It’s like a decadent sundae in a bowl!
Easy to Make: With pre-made ingredients like brownie mix and instant pudding, you can create a dessert that looks fancy but requires minimal effort.
Perfect for Sharing: This trifle serves a crowd, making it ideal for gatherings, holidays, and potlucks. Trust me, it’ll be gone in no time!
Customizable: Add extra toppings, swap flavors, or even make it lighter with some easy ingredient tweaks. This dessert is flexible, and you can get creative!
Key Ingredients:
Brownie Mix: For a truly fudgy brownie layer, opt for a high-quality brownie mix or add a handful of chocolate chips into the batter before baking. If you prefer a homemade approach, feel free to make brownies from scratch, just make sure they’re not too cakey.
Peanut Butter: Smooth, creamy peanut butter gives the pudding mixture a delightful richness. Stick to regular creamy peanut butter for this; natural varieties can sometimes cause separation in the pudding mix.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: The miniature size works best here for easier layering and cutting, but if you have larger ones on hand, simply chop them into smaller pieces.
Cool Whip: This whipped topping adds lightness to the layers. Be sure it’s fully thawed so it folds easily into the pudding mixture. You could substitute with homemade whipped cream if you want a fresher flavor.
Instant Vanilla Pudding: The pudding mix is key to creating that creamy texture. Instant pudding sets quickly and doesn’t require stovetop cooking, making it a simple choice for this no-bake dessert.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
How to Make a Decadent Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle
Step 1: Prepare the Brownies
Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 12×9-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
Mix the Batter: Prepare the brownie batter according to the package instructions, typically combining the brownie mix with eggs, oil, and water. Stir until smooth and well combined.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter).
Cool and Cut: Allow the brownies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut them into 3/4-inch thick slices. Set aside.
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Step 2: Prepare the Peanut Butter Cups
Halve the Reeses: Cut each miniature Reese’s peanut butter cup in half. These will be used throughout the layers and as a garnish. Set aside.
Step 3: Make the Pudding Mixture
Mix Pudding and Milk: In a large mixing bowl, beat the instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk for about 2 minutes until thick and creamy.
Add Peanut Butter and Vanilla: Blend in the creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
Fold in Cool Whip: Gently fold in 1 1/2 cups of thawed Cool Whip to lighten and add a creamy texture to the pudding mixture.
Step 4: Assemble the Trifle
Layer the Brownies: In a 5-quart glass trifle dish, place one-third of the sliced brownies at the bottom.
Add Pudding and Reeses: Top the brownie layer with one-third of the pudding mixture, then sprinkle half of the halved Reese’s cups over the pudding.
Repeat Layers: Continue layering with another third of the brownies, another third of the pudding, and the remaining half of the Reese’s cups.
Final Layer: For the top, add the last third of brownies and pudding, smoothing out the top for an even finish.
Step 5: Garnish and Chill
Top with Cool Whip: Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the top, creating a fluffy white layer.
Garnish: Sprinkle the remaining halved Reese’s cups over the Cool Whip for a finishing touch.
Chill: Place the trifle in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set and allow the flavors to meld.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve this trifle in a beautiful glass dish to showcase the layers. Pair it with a strong coffee or an espresso martini to balance the sweetness. You could also serve it alongside a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for an extra treat. For a festive touch, sprinkle some colorful sprinkles or edible glitter on top—perfect for holidays or special occasions.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
Refrigerate: This trifle keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap to keep it fresh.
Make Ahead: You can make each component a day ahead (bake and cut the brownies, make the pudding mixture) and assemble it right before serving.
Leftovers: The layers meld over time, so if you do have leftovers, don’t worry—the flavors only get better! Just note that after 2-3 days, the brownies may become softer.
Freezing: While it’s possible to freeze the components separately, this dessert is best enjoyed fresh. Freezing the assembled trifle can cause the pudding and Cool Whip to lose their texture.
Variations:
Chocolate Lovers’ Twist: Add a layer of chocolate pudding or chocolate mousse for an even richer chocolate experience.
Healthier Version: Swap the Cool Whip for Greek yogurt or a low-fat whipped topping. You can also use a low-sugar brownie mix or substitute sugar-free pudding.
Peanut Butter and Jelly: Add a layer of strawberry or raspberry preserves for a PB&J-inspired twist that adds a bit of tartness.
Oreo Brownie Trifle: For an extra layer of crunch, add crumbled Oreo cookies between the layers, and sprinkle some on top as a garnish.
Mini Trifles: For an elegant presentation, layer this trifle in individual mason jars or dessert cups. This is perfect for dinner parties or to make portion control easier.
Conclusion:
This Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle truly is heaven in a bowl. It’s a show-stopping dessert that’s easy to assemble and guaranteed to impress. Whether you’re a chocolate fanatic, peanut butter lover, or just looking for a fun dessert to share, this trifle checks every box.
Heaven In A Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 package fudge brownie mix
- 2 packages miniature Reese’s cups cut in half
- 4 cups cold milk preferably 2%
- 2 packages instant vanilla pudding
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 4 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cans Cool Whip thawed, 8 oz each
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 12x9-inch baking pan. Prepare the brownie batter according to package instructions, then pour into the pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely, then cut into 3/4-inch slices.
- Cut each miniature Reese’s peanut butter cup in half and set aside to be used in the layers and as garnish.
- In a large bowl, beat the instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk for about 2 minutes until thick and creamy. Blend in peanut butter and vanilla extract until smooth, then fold in 1 1/2 cups of Cool Whip.
- In a 5-quart trifle dish, layer one-third of the brownies at the bottom. Top with one-third of the pudding mixture, then sprinkle half of the halved Reese’s cups. Repeat layering with another third of brownies, another third of pudding, and the remaining half of Reese’s cups. For the top layer, add the last third of brownies and pudding, smoothing out the top.
- Top with remaining Cool Whip, then sprinkle with the remaining halved Reese’s cups. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set.