Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle
This Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle is a chocolate peanut butter lovers dream dessert. Layers of peanut butter mousse, fudgy brownies, salted peanuts, chocolate ganache, peanut butter cups and whipped cream are nothing short of heavenly. It’s a fun dessert to make and looks spectacular on the dessert table.
Easy Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle Recipe
The collective love of the combination of peanut butter and chocolate spans all generations. This decadent trifle is delicious way to showcase this flavor combination. It’s a terrific make ahead dessert, and there’s never a spoonful left over. How to make a Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)
- Make Brownies – Prepare the brownies per the package directions. Bake and cool then cut into bite size pieces. Set aside.
- Melt Chocolate – Melt together dark chocolate chips and heavy cream. Melt in a double boiler or in the microwave in 20 second increments, stopping to stir each time. Repeat until completely smooth. Set aside to cool.
- Peanut Butter Mousse – Whip together cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla until fully combined and smooth. The mixture will be thick.
- Cool whip – Add whipped topping whipping to combine. The filling will be divided into thirds to layer the trifle.
- Assemble – Start with 1/3 of the peanut butter mousse in the bottom of the bowl. Arrange 1/2 of the cubed brownie pieces, sprinkle with 1/3 of the peanuts and 1/3 of the chopped peanut butter cups. Drizzle with 1/3 dark chocolate ganache.
- Repeat layers peanut butter mousse, remaining brownie cubes, 1/3 peanuts, 1/3 chopped peanut butter cups. Spread the final layer of mousse.
- Topping – Frost with remaining whipped topping.
- Garnish – Arrange the remaining peanut butter cups, chopped peanuts over the whipped cream. Drizzle with dark chocolate ganache.
- Chill for 4 hours before serving. Store leftovers chilled.
How to Make the BEST Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle Recipe
This Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle is for all of the chocolate and peanut butter fans with it’s layers of brownies, peanut butter mousse, peanut butter cups, peanuts and of course, chocolate ganache.
- Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle: One 18 ounce box chocolate brownie mix plus ingredients to prepare [i.e. Ghiradelli], plain cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, two 8 ounce frozen whipped topping thawed and divided, one 16 ounce bag miniature peanut butter cups unwrapped and chopped, cocktail peanuts and dark chocolate chips
- Kitchen tools you’ll need: Large bowl, microwave safe bowl or double boiler to make the ganache, measuring cups and spoons, hand mixer or stand mixer, sharp knife and cutting board.
- This trifle makes enough to feeds a crowd, but works equally well when halved if you need a smaller portion.
- You can use the same amount of semi sweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips to make the ganache.
- Begin assembling in a large bowl. The full batch will require a 4 quart or larger salad or trifle bowl.
- Store Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
More Trifle Recipes to Make
I have several popular trifle recipes in the recipe index. Some you may like to try:
- Red Velvet White Chocolate Cheesecake Trifle is a stunner for the holidays.
- This Pecan Praline Caramel Trifle is rich and delicious.
- Irresistible fresh fruit filled Punch Bowl Fruit Salad Trifle for baby and bridal showers or warm weather soirées.
- Easy Blueberry Cheesecake Trifle features angel food cake for the layers.
- Chocolate Fudge Grasshopper Trifle is a chocolate mint lovers dream.
- Outrageous Lemon Lovers Trifle is a viral Pinterest sensation.
- Black Forest Trifle from The Novice Chef.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle
Ingredients
- 1 18 oz box chocolate brownie mix plus ingredients to prepare [i.e. Ghiradelli]
- 2 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 1/2 cup heavy cream divided
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 8 oz frozen whipped topping thawed and divided
- 1 16 oz bag miniature peanut butter cups unwrapped and chopped
- 1 cup sea salt or salted cocktail peanuts chopped
- 1 12 oz package dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the brownies per the package directions. Bake and cool then cut into bite size pieces. Set aside.
- Ganache: In a medium bowl, melt together 12 oz of dark chocolate chips with 1 cup heavy cream. Melt in the microwave in 20 second increments, stopping to stir each time. Repeat until completely smooth. Set aside to cool.
- Peanut Butter Mousse: In a large mixing bowl use a mixer to whip together both cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream and vanilla. Whip for 2-3 minutes until fully combined and smooth. The mixture will be thick.
- To the bowl add 8 ounces whipped topping Continue to whip for 3 minutes until fluffy and light. The filling will be divided into thirds to layer the trifle.
- Assemble: Start with 1/3 of the peanut butter mousse in the bottom of the bowl.
- Next, arrange 1/2 of the cubed brownie pieces, sprinkle with 1/3 of the peanuts and 1/3 of the chopped peanut butter cups. Drizzle with 1/3 chocolate ganache.
- Repeat layers peanut butter mousse, remaining brownie cubes, 1/3 peanuts, 1/3 chopped peanut butter cups. Spread the final layer of mousse on top.
- Topping: Frost with the remaining 8 oz whipped topping. Garnish with reserved peanut butter cups, chopped peanuts. Drizzle with dark chocolate ganache.
- Chill for 4 hours before serving. Store leftovers chilled.
Tummy
Oh my goodness! I served this last night to company and they were so impressed. It looks beautiful when presented, and it’s so so delicious. All your trifles are. I’m on the hunt now for a larger bowl similar to yours in the photo.
Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Barb, as you know, I’m pretty obsessed with trifles. I’m delighted you’re enjoying them!
This recipe is fantastic!!! I’ve made on three different occasions and it was the hit of the party. People were even taking pictures of it. Thanks so much!
Sarah
I’m thrilled to hear it, Sarah! Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know.
Holy cow!! Every Monday I try to do a different dessert for my family movie night and I decided to do a trifel tonight and came across this recipe! Holy Hannah! It was awesome! Best trifle I’ve ever made! Thank you so much!!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, thanks for such a sweet comment!
If stored properly it can be kept safely for several days with no problem. I would think 1 day in advance would be best for serving to guests.
Hi Melissa! I’m just wondering if this could be made on Tues for a Friday event? Could it be frozen? Or just refrigerated? I will be putting them in individual dessert cups with lids. Thanks!
It would be fine if kept tightly covered two-three days in advance I wouldn’t freeze it only to turnaround and thaw.
Thanks so much for this recipe! I made it last night and it looks delish!!! It’s for company today, which is the only reason I didnt dive in yet!
How far in advance can you make this and how long does it keep for? I’m not anticipating leftovers or complaining if there is lol just it made far more than I bargained for!
Thank you again! I will be checking your blogregularly now 🙂
Amanda
By the way, that is 4 cups of whipped sweetened fresh cream.
To replace the frozen whipped topping, a convenience product here, you would need 4 cups of sweetened fresh cream. 2 cups for the peanut butter mousse and 2 cups for the topping. [a bit more would be fine] Thanks so much for your visit!
What is frozen whipped topping? I live in Melbourne Australia and don’t know what it is or what I could use instead, any help or ideas would be great. I buy my Reeses in bulk and would love to make this 🙂
Thank you so much for this recipe! Making it now for Easter tomorrow! All my chocolate lovers are going to LOVE it! Have a wonderful Easter!! Take care! Kathy @The Daily Nest
Hi Kathy! My pleasure, Happy Easter to you and yours.
Wow that is some amazing recipe packed with the best flavours , thank you . Beverley
Oh, that looks so rich and delicious! Bet it would be extra good from scratch.
Hi Beverley thank you!
June, if you prefer to make your own brownies, check out the recipes at the end of the page. Fresh whipped cream in place of whipped topping would be around 4-5 cups total, divided between the mousse and topping.