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Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Trifle: A Decadent Dessert for Every Occasion

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This Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Trifle is the ultimate dessert for chocolate and peanut butter lovers! With fudgy brownies, creamy peanut butter pudding, and mini Reese’s cups, it’s an easy-to-make treat that’s sure to impress. Perfect for any occasion, this dessert is simple, indulgent, and guaranteed to satisfy your sweet cravings!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Brownie Layer:

  • 1 package of fudge brownie mix (you can use any brand you like)
  • Eggs, oil, and water as required by the brownie mix (usually 2 eggs, ¼ cup of oil, and 1/4 cup of water)

For the Peanut Butter Pudding Layer:

  • 4 cups of cold milk (using 2% milk will give a creamier texture, but any milk of your choice works)
  • 2 packages of instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 1 cup of creamy peanut butter (smooth peanut butter works best, but you can use chunky for a bit of texture)
  • 4 teaspoons of vanilla extract (this will enhance the flavor of the pudding)
  • 1 ½ cups Cool Whip (this lightens up the pudding and adds fluffiness to the trifle)

For the Garnish and Assembly:

  • 2 packages of miniature Reese’s cups (cut in half)
  • 2 cans of Cool Whip (8 oz each), thawed (for topping and layering)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Brownie Layer

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12×9-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray to prevent the brownies from sticking.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the brownie batter according to the package instructions. This will usually require you to combine the brownie mix with eggs, oil, and water. Follow the recommended measurements on the box.
  3. Once the brownie batter is mixed thoroughly, pour it into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly.
  4. Bake the brownies for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter). This will ensure your brownies are perfectly cooked without being too dry.
  5. Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting them into ¾-inch squares. You want them to be cool so they don’t melt the pudding when you layer them into the trifle dish.

Step 2: Prepare the Peanut Butter Pudding Layer

  1. In a large mixing bowl, add the 4 cups of cold milk. Sprinkle the two packages of instant vanilla pudding mix over the milk.
  2. Whisk the pudding mix and milk together for 2 minutes or until it starts to thicken. Instant pudding doesn’t need any cooking—just whisking.
  3. Add the 1 cup of creamy peanut butter and 4 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the pudding and mix until smooth.
  4. Gently fold in 1 ½ cups of Cool Whip to give the pudding a light, fluffy texture. This step is important because it makes the pudding less dense and adds to the trifle’s airy feel.

Step 3: Assemble the Trifle

  1. Once the brownies have cooled and you’ve prepared the pudding, it’s time to start assembling the trifle.
  2. Begin with one layer of brownies at the bottom of your trifle dish (or large bowl). You want to ensure that the brownies are evenly spread out across the bottom.
  3. Add one-third of the peanut butter pudding mixture on top of the brownies. Use a spatula to smooth it out gently.
  4. Sprinkle half of the halved Reese’s cups over the pudding layer for that rich peanut butter and chocolate crunch.
  5. Repeat the process by layering the brownies, peanut butter pudding, and Reese’s cups. Finish with a final layer of pudding.
  6. Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the top of the pudding layer to create a smooth finish.
  7. Garnish with the remaining halved Reese’s cups for a delicious and visually appealing finish.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

  1. Cover the trifle with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and helps set the pudding layer.
  2. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Notes

  • Brownie Tip: Make sure the brownies are fully cooled before cutting them. If the brownies are too warm, they may crumble or melt the pudding when layered.
  • Pudding Tip: If you want an extra smooth texture, sift the pudding mix before adding it to the milk. This prevents any lumps from forming.
  • Cool Whip Tip: Be gentle when folding the Cool Whip into the pudding mixture. Over-mixing can deflate the whipped cream and make the pudding too dense.
  • Layering Tip: For a clean trifle, layer the ingredients carefully, but don’t worry too much if the layers are not perfectly neat. The beauty of a trifle is in its rustic, layered appearance.
  • Peanut Butter Tip: If your peanut butter is very thick, microwave it for a few seconds to soften it. This makes it easier to mix into the pudding.

Find it online: https://susanrecipes.com/peanut-butter-cup-brownie-trifle-a-decadent-dessert-for-every-occasion/