Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle is an easy layered dessert made with homemade brownies, creamy peanut butter filling, and chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Perfect for parties, potlucks, holidays, or anytime a chocolate peanut butter craving hits!
If you're a chocolate peanut butter lover like I am, this peanut butter brownie trifle is for you! I've been making this recipe for years, and it's one of my favorite desserts to bring to parties or serve when we have people over. Plus, it can be prepared ahead of time, which makes entertaining even easier. If you love layered brownie desserts, be sure to try my Chocolate Mousse and Brownie Trifle.
Quick Look: Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle
A brownie trifle is a layered dessert made with brownie pieces and a creamy filling. This version combines homemade chocolate brownies with a creamy peanut butter filling and chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 20-24 minutes
- Assemble Time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Flavor: Chocolate and peanut butter
- Best For: Parties, potlucks, holidays, and entertaining
Add me as a trusted Google source.Ingredient Notes
See printable recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and step-by-step instructions.
- Cream Cheese: Use softened cream cheese so it blends smoothly with the powdered sugar and creates a creamy, lump-free filling.
- Peanut Butter: Regular creamy peanut butter works best for this recipe and gives the filling a smooth texture. I recommend avoiding natural peanut butter since the oils can separate.
- Cool Whip: Adds a light and creamy texture to the peanut butter mixture. Keep it refrigerated until ready to use, then gently fold it into the filling.
- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: Chop the peanut butter cups into bite-sized pieces to use as a garnish on top of the finished trifle.
Variations & Substitutions
- Boxed Brownies: Short on time? Use your favorite boxed brownie mix instead of making the homemade brownies. Prepare and bake according to package instructions, then cool completely before assembling the trifle.
- Whipped Cream: Homemade whipped cream can be used in place of Cool Whip. Whip until stiff so the peanut butter filling holds its shape.
- Individual Trifles: Instead of one large trifle bowl, assemble the layers in clear dessert cups or small mason jars for individual servings. This is a great option for parties!
- Candy: Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are my favorite, but other chocolate peanut butter candies can be used. You can also garnish the top with chocolate chips or chocolate shavings.
How to Make Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle
Step 1. In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt until combined.
Step 2. Add the eggs, water, melted butter, and vanilla extract, stirring until combined. Spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 20-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
Step 3. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 4. Add the peanut butter and milk, mixing until smooth and combined. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until fully incorporated.
Step 5. Cut or crumble half of the cooled brownies into bite-sized pieces and arrange them in the bottom of a trifle dish or large glass bowl.
Step 6. Spread half of the peanut butter mixture evenly over the brownie layer.
Step 7. Add the remaining brownie pieces evenly over the peanut butter layer.
Step 8. Spread the remaining peanut butter mixture evenly over the brownie layer.
Step 9. Garnish the top with chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.
Step 10. Cover and refrigerate the trifle until ready to serve. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Brownie Trifle
- Cool the brownies completely. Warm brownies can soften the peanut butter filling and make it harder to create clean, distinct layers.
- Don't overbake the brownies. Bake just until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. You want the brownies soft and fudgy, but sturdy enough for layering.
- Use softened cream cheese. This helps it blend smoothly with the powdered sugar and prevents lumps in the peanut butter mixture.
- Fold the Cool Whip gently. Gently folding rather than vigorously mixing keeps the filling light and creamy.
- Use a clear trifle bowl. The chocolate brownie and creamy peanut butter layers look so pretty through the sides of a glass bowl! If you love easy layered desserts, my Death by Chocolate Trifle is another reader favorite to try.
- Keep it chilled. Store the assembled trifle in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.
Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle Recipe FAQs
Yes. You can assemble the trifle ahead of time, cover it tightly, and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve. I love this option when entertaining because dessert is already taken care of before guests arrive.
Store leftover trifle covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The brownies will soften the longer it sits, so it's best enjoyed within the first day or two.
More Trifle Recipes You’ll Love
Tried this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and let me know what you think in the comments! You can also follow me on Pinterest for even more easy, family-friendly recipes.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle
Ingredients
Brownies
- 1 ⅔ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoon water
- ¾ cup butter melted
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Peanut Butter Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese *softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ⅔ cup milk
- 16 oz Cool Whip thawed
- 4 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt until combined.
- Add the eggs, water, melted butter, and vanilla extract, stirring until combined. Spread the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 20-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- In a separate large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add the peanut butter and milk, mixing until smooth and combined. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until fully incorporated.
- Cut or crumble the cooled brownies into bite-sized pieces. Arrange half of the brownie pieces in the bottom of a trifle dish or large glass bowl.
- Spread half of the peanut butter mixture evenly over the brownie layer.
- Add the remaining brownie pieces evenly over the peanut butter layer.
- Spread the remaining peanut butter mixture evenly over the brownie layer.
- Garnish with the chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Brownies must be completely cool before assembling the trifle.
- Regular creamy peanut butter works best; natural peanut butter may make the filling oily or cause it to separate.
- For a shortcut, use a boxed brownie mix prepared according to package directions.
- Homemade whipped cream can be substituted for Cool Whip. Whip it until fairly stiff before folding it into the filling.
- Keep the trifle covered in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Jessica says
I found the receipt on Facebook a while ago and have made it for several parties and pick nicks…and it was a BIG hit! So much so that its been requested for the next party I’m attending. The only bad thing was that I saved the webpage on a phone that got stolen so for the last 6 months I’ve been trying to find it…AND JUST DID. This totally made my day.
By the way it’s a great dessert!!!
Kristin says
Awww so glad you enjoy it and were able to find the recipe again. That is always exciting finding things after a long time 🙂
Rachel says
I was wanting to make these in individual servings for a cookout. Like in clear punch cups. Any suggestions on how many one recipe would do?
Janet Schager says
I cannot get cool whip where I live. What can I use instead of it??
Kristin says
You can use whipped cream. To make your own, buy a container of heavy whipping cream and blend it in your food processor or blender until it is the consistency of cool whip. You can use this in place of cool whip, 🙂 Enjoy!!
Kristin and Adriana says
Hmmmm, good question! Do you have any type of peanut butter chocolate candy such as peanut butter m & m’s? If not, you could use chocolate shavings or any chocolate candy crushed up : )
Anonymous says
It looks delicious and I would love to try it. But we don’t have peanut butter cups where I live. What can I substitute it with?
Mary says
It is so good, even without the peanut butter chips. You could use peanut butter and chocolate chips or choc shaving. The paint butter chips are just decorations and will not effect the outcome of the trifle.
Kristin, Tammy and Adriana says
Our thoughts exactly!!! Its quite delicious!! Im sad that we ate it all, time to make it again, haha
Shell says
This looks so delicious and you can never go wrong with chocolate, peanut butter, and cream cheese!!!!