Chocolate Brownie Trifle

Indulge in the ultimate chocolate dessert with this easy trifle recipe! Layers of fudgy brownies, velvety chocolate pudding, fluffy whipped topping, and your favorite candy bar combine to create a stunning and irresistible treat fit for any occasion.

Whether you’re celebrating a special event or simply satisfying your chocolate cravings, this rich and decadent Chocolate Trifle is sure to delight chocolate lovers everywhere. With its effortless preparation and exquisite presentation, it’s the perfect dessert to impress your guests or enjoy with loved ones.

This Chocolate Brownie Trifle dessert is easy to make and will feed a crowd. It looks amazing layered in a bowl and will certainly impress your guests and family.

Chocolate Brownie Trifle shown in a trifle dish with text overlay.

A Home at Cedar Springs Farm reader and friend, Jeana, brought this Chocolate Brownie Trifle to our Easter celebration, and no bite was left! This is a true chocolate lover’s dream dessert. It has chocolate brownies, chocolate pudding, and a chocolate candy bar, all in this one dessert. A big bowl of heaven!

Chocolate Brownie Trifle is definitely a crowd-pleasing dessert. We had 30-plus people gathered together for Easter, and everyone loved this dessert. I mean..what’s not to love? There’s chocolate on top of chocolate on top of chocolate!!

The brownies are fudgy and chocolatey and oh-so-good. Yes, you could eat the brownies on their own, but mix them in with some chocolate pudding, sweetened condensed milk, whipped topping, and a chocolate candy bar, and you have one heavenly dessert!

Why This Dessert Is Fabulous

If you’ve ever found yourself craving an elegant and indulgent dessert, look no further than the Chocolate Brownie Trifle. This delightful concoction combines layers of fudgy brownies, creamy pudding, and fluffy whipped topping, creating a mouthful of flavors and textures that’s sure to satisfy even the most sophisticated sweet tooth. 

  • Layers of Chocolate Goodness:  If you’re a chocolate lover, this trifle is the ultimate indulgence, with layers of brownies and creamy, rich chocolate in every bite.
  • Perfect Balance of Textures: The soft brownie, creamy pudding, and fluffy whipped topping add a party of flavors and textures with each bite.
  • Crowd Pleaser: This dessert is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family dinner, a potluck, or a special celebration; this dessert adds a touch of elegance and indulgence to any gathering. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply craving something sweet, this trifle is guaranteed to be an impressive dessert. Its layers of rich chocolatey goodness make it a standout dessert for any occasion. One of the best desserts around.
  • Easy to Prepare: This dessert is easy to prepare only requiring basic ingredients and a little time. The brownie mix and instant pudding make this dessert fast and easy, and in no time, you can create a show-stopping treat that’s sure to wow your guests.
  • Customizable: Top with your favorite candy bar for the garnish.   You can customize it to suit your taste preferences by swapping out ingredients or adding your favorite toppings. The possibilities are endless!

What Is A Trifle Dish 

A trifle dish is a large glass bowl/serving bowl designed to showcase the beautiful layers of a trifle dessert. With its wide, deep shape, it allows for easy layering of ingredients, creating a stunning visual presentation that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat.

Layered brownie trifle in a dish with text overlay.

What Is A Trifle Dessert

A trifle dessert is essentially a layered delight, offering many possibilities for creative combinations. The options are endless, whether it’s cake paired with fruit, brownie with pudding, or sponge cake and whipped topping. Trifles come in various forms, each offering a delightful experience perfect for feeding a crowd. Typically served in clear glass containers, these desserts allow you to admire the layers of cake, pudding, fruit, and whipped topping, with the option to add your favorite toppings. Trifle bowls serve as a beautiful way to showcase the layers of goodness, making them a popular choice for special occasions and holidays, where their presentation and flavorful combinations shine.

Ingredients Needed For Brownie Trifle Recipe

The ingredients for this recipe are easy to find and simple, making it a convenient and straightforward dessert to prepare. Please see the printable recipe card below for a complete list of ingredient amounts.

  • Brownie Mix – The boxed brownie mix is designed to simplify the process of making brownies from scratch. You’ll need one package of brownie mix. You’ll also need the ingredients on the back of the box to prepare the batter. Ensure you have enough mix to fill a 9″x 13″ pan.
  • Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix – Instant pudding mix is a great way to make chocolate pudding quickly. You will only need the dry mix for this recipe. Do not make the pudding according to the package.
  • Water – Water is mixed with the pudding mix and the sweetened condensed milk in this recipe.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk – I like to use sweetened condensed milk for this recipe because it’s rich, creamy, and has a very sweet flavor.
  • Whipped Topping – Frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip), when thawed, is light and fluffy, making it a must for this dessert.
  • Chocolate Candy Bar – The chocolate candy bar adds the final touch to this delightful dessert. Break it apart, finely chop, or grate the candy bar to sprinkle on top of the trifle for added texture and visual appeal. 
chocolate brownie trifle shown in a trifle bowl with text overlay.
Chocolate Brownie Trifle

How To Make Chocolate Brownie Trifle

The steps for making this Chocolate Brownie Trifle are simple and straightforward. It comes together quickly, allowing you to create a stunning and delicious dessert with ease. Whip up this dessert today and treat yourself to a little slice of chocolatey heaven!

  1. Prepare the Brownies: Follow the instructions on the brownie mix package to prepare the batter. Once baked, allow the brownies to cool completely. Once cooled, cut the brownies into 1-inch squares or brownie pieces. Feel free to bake up a batch of your favorite brownies. You can make the brownies from scratch or use a box. If you would like a delicious Homemade Chocolate Brownie recipe, check out this link for another heavenly dessert.
  2. Prepare the Pudding Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the instant pudding mix, water, and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
  3. Fold in Whipped Topping: Gently fold in 8 ounces of thawed whipped topping until the mixture is smooth and no white streaks remain.
  4. Assemble the Trifle: Create the first layer in a trifle bowl or glass serving dish by evenly placing half of the brownie squares at the bottom. Top the brownie layer with half of the pudding mixture, spreading it evenly over the brownies. Follow the pudding layer of half of the remaining whipped topping.
  5. Repeat the Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining brownie squares, pudding mixture, and whipped topping, creating a second layer on top of the first.
  6. Finish and Garnish: Finish the trifle by topping it with your favorite chocolate candy bar, finely chopped or grated.
  7. Chill and Serve: Serve the trifle immediately for a delightful treat, or for best results, chill it in the refrigerator for several hours to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.

Can You Make This Dessert In Advance

Yes, you can definitely make this dessert ahead of time. Assemble the trifle dessert according to the instructions, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. You can make this dish up to a day ahead before serving. Making this dish in advance will save you time on the day of your event or meal.

How To Store Chocolate Brownie Trifle

To store any leftovers of this delicious trifle, simply cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate. It will keep well for up to 2-3 days, although it’s unlikely to last that long once your family gets a taste of it!

Brownie trifle shown in a trifle bowl with text overlay.

How To Serve A Trifle Dessert

When you’re ready to serve the trifle, simply remove it from the refrigerator, uncover it, and garnish it with a sprinkle of chocolate shavings or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra touch of decadence. Then, scoop out generous portions into individual serving dishes and watch as your guests enjoy every bite. A big spoon is the best and only way to serve this dessert. This would be perfect for a dinner party or holiday gathering. It would make for a show-stopping display on a table.

Expert Tips

With its irresistible combination of rich chocolate, creamy pudding, and fluffy whipped topping, the Chocolate Brownie Trifle is truly a chocolate lover’s dream. Here are some tips to get you started:

  • For an extra decadent twist, try adding layers of toffee bits or chopped Heath bars between the brownie and pudding layers. Choose your favorite candies; you can’t go wrong!
  • The best part of this Brownie Trifle is that you can customize it to your preference. If you like Snickers candy bars, throw them in! If you like Reese Cups, use them! Just do whatever makes you happy, and that will make every bite delicious.
  • This Chocolate Brownie Trifle is Awesome, and you can easily double the recipe to fit any size bowl or trifle bowl you have on hand! The more, the better!
  • Make sure you grab a box of brownie mix for a 9″ x 13″ pan.
Chocolate Brownie Trifle shown in a trifle bowl with text overlay.
Chocolate Brownie Trifle

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

  • Experiment with different types of brownie mixes to create unique flavor combinations. 
  • Make a strawberry dessert in a trifle bowl.
    Make a cheesecake and fresh fruit layered trifle.
    Use your favorite fruits, candies, and toppings. The possibilities are endless. Have fun with this dessert.
  • Add some crushed Oreo cookies to the layers and the top.

Recipe FAQs

Can I Use Homemade Brownies Instead Of A Boxed Mix?

Absolutely, you can use homemade brownies for this recipe. Feel free to use your favorite brownie recipe if you prefer.

What If I Can’t Find A Trifle Dish?

You can use any large glass bowl or dish to assemble your trifle. The important thing is to make sure it’s deep enough to accommodate all the layers.

More Chocolate Desserts

Chocolate Lush–Chocolate Lush is a creamy, luscious layered dessert with chocolate pudding, cream cheese, and cool whip on top of a graham cracker crust. A fabulous dessert for potlucks, get-togethers, or just anytime you need a chocolate fix. 

Chocolate Pecan Pie–Chocolate Pecan Pie is perfect for any holiday table or special occasion. Just add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you have completely pushed it over the top! Chocolate and pecans–could it get any better?

Milk and Cookies Oreo Dessert–If you’re looking for a simple, no-bake dessert, then this is it — Oreo cookies, milk, chocolate pudding, Cool Whip, and chocolate chips. It’s cool, creamy, chocolatey, and oh, so good!

More Favorite Desserts

Old-Fashioned Tea Cake Cookies

Southern Caramel Cake

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

No Churn Oreo Ice Cream

 
Chocolate Brownie Trifle in a bowl with text overlay.
Chocolate Brownie Trifle
Chocolate Brownie Trifle

Chocolate Brownie Trifle

Gina Abernathy
This Chocolate Brownie Trifle dessert is easy to make and will feed a crowd. It looks amazing layered in a bowl and will certainly impress your guest and family.
5 from 15 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 package Brownie Mix enough to make a 9 x13 pan
  • 1 (3.9 oz.) package Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix
  • 1/2 Cup water
  • 1 (14 oz.) Can Sweetened Condensed Milk Eagle Brand
  • 2 (8oz.) Containers frozen whipped topping, thawed Cool Whip
  • 1 Chocolate Candy Bar your choice

Instructions
 

  • Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and cool completely. Cut into 1 inch squares.
  • In a large bowl, combine dry pudding mix, water, and sweetened condensed milk and mix until smooth.
  • Fold in 8 ounces of whipped topping and stir until smooth and no white streaks show.
  • In a trifle bowl or glass serving dish, layer half of the brownies, half of the pudding mixture, and half of the remaining whipped topping. Repeat layers and top with cool whip.
  • Garnish the top with your favorite candy bar.
  • Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for several hours.

Notes

You can serve this immediately but it is so much better if you can chill it for several hours.
Keyword chocolate brownie trifle, chocolate dessert
 

44 Comments

  1. oh my gosh! this looks absolutely delicious! I have some birthdays to celebrate coming up and I’ll defenitly have to make this for the celebrations! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Mich | simplymich.com

  2. O M G ! This looks to die for! I cant believe it is so simple to make. I would however make a slight change….that’s well, I am a chocoholic so I would actually add more chocolate. I would add a chocolate bar inbetween the layer of the pudding and the whipped cream! 🙂 That’s just me though!

    D, xo || from https://livedreamcreate-d.com

  3. Oh wow! I have printed off this recipe and will be making it very soon. It sounds (and looks) heavenly! The only problem I can see is that I won’t be losing that extra 10 pounds any time soon…but boy will this be worth it! 🙂

  4. This looks fabulous!! I can’t wait to try it!! I love how you can really customize the recipe depending upon your tastes. I’m thinking maybe a caramel brownie recipe and then drizzling caramel on top at the end. Thank you so much for sharing!! 🙂

  5. Hello beautiful!! This looks absolutely delicious! I love trifle, but I’ve never had brownie trifle before. Will definitely be making this. Thanks!

  6. I love desserts that are both decadent and easy to make. This chocolate trifle recipe looks perfect! I am gluten free and could easily make a GF version of this. Also my husband LOVES Cool Whip so he will be a huge fan. lol. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!

  7. 5 stars
    OMG…yes! I can’t wait to make this for my in-laws when they visit over the holidays. We are all chocoholics. (I think I might spike everything with Frangelico and use Ferrero Roche…love hazelnuts, too!)

  8. 5 stars
    So easy to make and delicious! We made this for a get together with the family and everybody loved it. Will definitely be making it again.

  9. 5 stars
    You are right, “what’s not to love?”! This is amazing & I love your variation tip of carrot cake and cream cheese – perfect for b-days or Easter!

  10. 5 stars
    We live in the UK and make traditional fruit and custard trifles often, but I’ve never made one with brownies and condensed milk, so was really intrigued by this recipe! And it turned out great! Very decadent and sweet, and super easy to make! Children in the family are your biggest fans now 😀

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