Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle -This peanut butte brownie trifle features layers of peanut butter mousse, brownies, peanuts, chocolate ganache, peanut butter cups and whipped cream. Needless to say, it is such a fun dessert to make.  I often refer to trifles as edible centerpieces.  They look  spectacular on the dessert table.

This trifle is for all of the chocolate and peanut butter fans.  Layers of brownies, peanut butter mousse, peanut butter cups, peanuts and of course, chocolate ganache.  It feeds a crowd but, works equally well when halved if you need a smaller portion.  The full batch will require a large bowl or trifle bowl. It’s a terrific make ahead dessert, and there’s never a spoonful left over.

Ingredients you’ll need:  
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

Directions:
Prepare the brownies per the package directions.  Bake and cool then cut into bite size pieces.  Set aside.  Melt together 12 oz of dark chocolate chips with 1 cup 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.

To prepare the peanut butter mousse:
In a large mixing bowl, whip together both softened 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.  Add 8 ounces of thawed whipped topping  Continue to whip for 3 minutes until fluffy and light.  The filling will be divided into thirds to layer the trifle.

To layer:
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 chocolate ganache  Repeat, peanut butter mousse, remaining brownie cubes, 1/3 peanuts, 1/3 chopped peanut butter cups.

Spread the final layer of mousse.  Spread 8 oz whipped topping over the top, then arrange the remaining peanut butter cups, chopped peanuts on top.  Drizzle with ganache.  Store chilled.  Yield: 16-20 servings

 

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Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

Servings 16 -20

Author Melissa Sperka

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

1. Prepare the brownies per the package directions. Bake and cool then cut into bite size pieces. Set aside.
2. Melt together 12 oz of dark chocolate chips with 1 cup 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.
3. To prepare the peanut butter mousse: In a large mixing bowl, whip together both softened 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.
4. Add 8 ounces of thawed whipped topping Continue to whip for 3 minutes until fluffy and light. The filling will be divided into thirds to layer the trifle.
5. To layer: Start with 1/3 of the peanut butter mousse in the bottom of the bowl.
6. Arrange 1/2 of the cubed brownie pieces, sprinkle with 1/3 of the peanuts and 1/3 of the chopped peanut butter cups.
7. Drizzle with 1/3 chocolate ganache
8. Repeat, peanut butter mousse, remaining brownie cubes, 1/3 peanuts, 1/3 chopped peanut butter cups.
9. Spread the final layer of mousse.
10. Spread 8 oz whipped topping over the top.
11. Arrange the remaining peanut butter cups, chopped peanuts over the whipped cream.
12. Drizzle with ganache.
13. Store chilled.

Recipe Notes

To garnish the trifle, I recommend having extra peanut butter cups on hand. If preferred, all of the peanut butter cups can be layered in the trifle and the top garnished with chocolate curls.