Reese’s Peanut Butter Trifle
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This Reese’s Peanut Butter Trifle is a decadent, make-ahead dessert layered with peanut butter pudding, brownies, and chopped Reese’s cups—perfect for chocolate and peanut butter lovers and ideal for feeding a crowd.
This chocolate and peanut butter twist on a classic layered dessert is so decadent. It’s amazing. It’s sinful. It’s delicious. It is everything you want in a dessert – and more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Using a box brownie mix and instant pudding make this dessert so simple to put together.
- You can bake the brownie ahead of time so it is fully cooled and then assembling the trifle takes no time at all.
- Peanut butter and chocolate are the perfect combination and the whole party is going to love this dessert.
This was so good the family really enjoyed it. And especially with it having brownies and peanut butter cups.
Ingredients Needed
- Brownie mix – We love the simplicity of a box brownie, but if you really want to make homemade, go for it.
- Miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – These are the perfect size for this dessert and you won’t have to unwrap them individually.
- Milk – Use 2% or full fat milk for the creamiest custard mix.
- Instant pudding mix – Use vanilla so that the peanut butter and chocolate brownie flavors really shine through.
- Creamy peanut butter – Use smooth because crunchy won’t give your custard that nice smooth consistency. Do not use natural as it will seperate.
- Vanilla extract – Vanilla always elevates the flavor of desserts.
- Cool Whip – Cool Whip is the perfect, stable consistency for a trifle.
how to make an easy peanut butter brownie trifle
- Bake brownie mix according to package directions.
- Cool completely and slice into 3/4-inch pieces.
- Slice Reese’s peanut butter cups in half and set aside 1/3 cup for garnish.
- Whisk the milk and pudding mixes together. Add peanut butter and vanilla and combine well.
- Fold in 1-1/2 cartons of Cool Whip.
- Place a third of the brownies in a trifle bowl.
- Top with a third of the remaining peanut butter cups.
- Spoon a third of the pudding mixture over the top.
- Repeat the layers twice.
- Cover with the remaining whipped topping; garnish with reserved peanut butter cups.
- Refrigerate until chilled.
Pro Tips
- If you don’t have a trifle dish, any large serving bowl will work in its place. Remember that glass bowls make the prettiest trifle because you can see all of the wonderful layers.
- If all of the layers are cooled before assembly, they will hold together better.
- When assembling this trifle, leave the reserved Reese Cups off the top until ready to serve.
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
This showstopper dessert is best served chilled so you can make it a day in advance. It is also helpful to bake the brownies and whip up the custard in advance to save prep time.
Storage
Fridge: Store leftovers right in the trifle dish by covering with plastic wrap. If there isn’t a lot left, you can also scoop it into an airtight container.
Freezer: I do not recommend storing this dessert in the freezer because the custard may change consistency when thawed.
Just one bite and you’ll be in heaven with this chocolatey peanut butter dessert. You’ll definitely be keeping all of the ingredients for this peanut butter cup trifle recipe in the pantry from now on.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Peanut Butter Trifle Recipe
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 18.2 ounces brownie mix + ingredients to prepare
- 2 packages Reese's Minis Peanut Butter Cups Candy (14 ounces each)
- 4 cups 2% milk
- 2 packages instant vanilla pudding mix (5.1 ounces each)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 16 ounces Cool Whip thawed
Instructions
- Prepare brownie mix according to package directions using a 9×13 inch pan. Make sure not to over bake the brownies.
- Cool completely on a wire rack; cut into ¾-inch pieces.
- Cut Reese's peanut butter cups in half; set aside ⅓ cup for garnish.
- In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes. Add peanut butter and vanilla; mix well. Fold in 1 ½ cartons whipped topping.
- Place a third of the brownies in a trifle bowl evenly on the bottom. Top with a third of the remaining peanut butter cups. Spoon a third of the pudding mixture over the top. Repeat layers twice. Cover with remaining whipped topping; garnish with reserved peanut butter cups.
- Refrigerate until chilled.
Tips
Freezer: I do not recommend storing this dessert in the freezer because the custard may change consistency when thawed.
Nutrition Information
Mor Trifle Recipes
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- No Bake S’Mores Trifle is such a great summer twist on this classic dessert with yummy layers of graham crackers, milk chocolate and marshmallow and chocolate creams.
- Vanilla cake, homemade pudding and all of your favorite banana split toppings make this Banana Split Dessert Trifle the perfect throwback to the old school drive in.
- Light and airy angel food cake layered with vanilla pudding, strawberries, pineapple and bananas give you a traditional Strawberry Trifle that always hits the spot.
Sandra says
I’m making this dessert on Saturday for a crowd of co-workers. I’ve got all the ingredients listed. Does Anyone have any hints that I should know about? My party is a huge deal & I need everything perfect. I’m going out on a limb by making this for the 1st time for a party. Thanks in advance
Julie Evink says
You’ve got this! That trifle is always a crowd-pleaser. Chill each layer a bit before adding the next so it sets nicely, and don’t skip the garnish—crushed Reese’s or a drizzle of chocolate really makes it pop. If you’re transporting it, keeping it chilled will help it hold up. Bold move making it for the first time at a big event, but I’m sure it’ll be a hit!
judi says
Does the recipe really call for 2 – 5.1 oz pkgs of pudding or is it 1.5 oz and why so little milk?
Brooke Kill says
Yes it calls for 2 5.1 oz packages.
Valerie says
How far in advance can this be made? Thank you.
Julie Evink says
I wouldn’t make it more than 24 hours in advance.
Kerry says
What size trifle bowl should be used?
Sarah Hill says
The bowl used is about 10 inches in diameter and it holds around 14 cups in capacity.
Jo says
What is a serving? You never said the measurement.
Delicious however!
Courtney says
One cup.