This chocolate Brownie Trifle recipe couldn’t be simpler! Homemade brownies layered with fluffy chocolate mousse, hot fudge, toffee bits, and Cool Whip for a rich dessert.
If you love brownies, don’t miss my Brownie Ice Cream Cake or these Brownie Bites!
Brownie Trifle Dessert Recipe
When I think about trifles, I usually think about something light and fruity like this Jell-O Cake Trifle Recipe.
But the idea to make a more decadent trifle popped into my head and I just couldn’t shake it.
Are you searching for a dessert that packs a chocolate flavor, is super rich, and will definitely please a crowd? This chocolate trifle recipe is it.
It starts with homemade brownies that are fudgy and decadent. Gets even better with layers of creamy chocolate pudding, hot fudge sauce, and crunchy, buttery toffee bits.
It all comes together to make an epic dessert. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love this brownie trifle recipe:
- This is an excellent dessert for a crowd.
- The combination of homemade brownies, rich chocolate cream, hot fudge and toffee bits gives this dessert layers of flavor and texture. I love the crunchy toffee with the chewy brownies and fluffy cream.
- You can easily assemble it ahead of time, making it a great dessert for entertaining.
- You can customize this trifle with brownies with your favorite toppings or add-ins. Add raspberries instead of toffee. Swap in a different flavor of pudding for a unique twist. This is one of those recipes that is almost impossible to mess up!
Important Ingredient Notes
Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card. You will find the full list of ingredients and amounts for this recipe for a chocolate trifle.
- Unsalted butter – My go-to for baking because it allows you more control of the flavor of the finished product.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – You’ll melt these to create a rich base for the brownies.
- Eggs – If you remember to, leave these out on the counter so they come to room temperature. They mix in more smoothly that way!
- Pure vanilla extract – Don’t settle for imitation vanilla extract! Pure vanilla has much more depth. My homemade vanilla extract is perfect.
- All-purpose flour – Lightly spoon this into the measuring cup rather than scooping it. This ensures you don’t use more flour than you need! Use my guide on how to measure flour.
- Instant chocolate pudding mix – You can use another flavor if you’d like, but if you want absolute decadence, go with chocolate!
- Sweetened condensed milk – Not evaporated milk! Condensed milk is sweetened. It can be easy to grab the wrong can!
- Whole milk – I like to use whole milk for a richer, thicker pudding.
- Cool Whip – Thaw this before starting the recipe. You can also use whipped cream or my stabilized whipped cream recipe instead of Cool Whip.
- Hot fudge – Or use chocolate syrup if you prefer. I like to use fudge in this easy trifle recipe because it’s thicker.
- Heath English Toffee bits – Or a chopped candy bar you like.
How to Make a Brownie Trifle
Make the Brownies:
- Preheat your to 350ºF and line a 13×9 pan with parchment paper.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips and sugar until the chocolate melts.
- Stir in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Add the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder and mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the baking dish and bake for 22-24 minutes.
- Cool completely before assembling the trifle.
Make the Filling:
- Whisk the chocolate pudding mix, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk in a mixing bowl.
- Fold in the Cool Whip until it’s incorporated.
Assemble:
- Cut the brownies into bite-size pieces and place half of them in the bottom of a trifle bowl.
- Pour half of the pudding mixture over the brownies.
- Drizzle half of the hot fudge sauce over the pudding.
- Sprinkle with a half cup of the toffee bits.
- Top with half of the Cool Whip.
- Repeat the layers again and finish with the Cool Whip on top and sprinkle the remaining toffee bits over the Cool Whip.
- Cover and chill the brownie trifle for 4 hours, or until ready to serve.
Tips and Tricks
- Use a glass bowl or trifle dish—the fun thing about trifles is being able to peek at the layers through the side of the dish!
- Feel free to use store-bought brownies for this brownie trifle if you’re short on time. Just make sure they’re fudgy and delicious, and not too dry.
- You can use my easy chocolate cake in place of the brownies for a delicious trifle recipe.
- For a boozy twist, add a splash of your favorite liqueur to the pudding mixture. Or drizzle it over the brownie layers before adding the pudding. Kahlua would be fantastic!
- To make individual trifles, use small mason jars or plastic wine cups. This creates a cute, personal-sized chocolate brownie trifle dessert option.
- Don’t hesitate to experiment with different tastes and garnishes! You can adapt this brownie trifle recipe to match your preferences or the occasion. Experiment with different pudding flavors, brownie recipes, sauces, and candies.
More Brownie Recipes
- Baileys Brownies
- French Silk Brownies
- Coconut Brownies
- Slutty Brownies
- Marshmallow Brownies
- Mint Chocolate Chip Brownies Recipe
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
Brownie Trifle Recipe
This chocolate Brownie Trifle recipe couldn't be simpler! Homemade brownies layered with fluffy chocolate mousse, hot fudge, toffee bits, and Cool Whip for a rich dessert.
Ingredients
For the Brownies
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
For the Pudding
- 1 box (3.9 ounce) Instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 can (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 tub (8 ounce) Cool Whip, thawed
For the Filling
- ½ cup hot fudge (or chocolate syrup), divided
- 1 ¼ cup Heath English Toffee bits, divided
- 1 tub (8 ounce) Cool Whip, thawed, divided
Instructions
For the Brownies
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13×9 baking dish with parchment paper, set aside.
- In a medium sized saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Remove from heat and add in the chocolate chips and sugar.
- Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add in eggs one at a time, stirring completely after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Add the cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder. Using big strokes, stir just until mixed and can no longer see the dry ingredients. Do not beat or over stir.
- Pour batter into prepared baking dish. Bake for 22-24 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely before assembling trifle.
For the Filling
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the chocolate pudding mix, sweetened condensed milk, and whole milk. Fold in the tub of Cool Whip until combined.
To Assemble
- Cut brownies into bite size pieces. Lay half the cubes of brownies into the bottom of a trifle bowl (or large glass bowl). Pour half of the chocolate pudding mixture onto the brownies.
- Drizzle the chocolate pudding with half of the hot fudge sauce and sprinkle with half cup of the toffee bits. Top with half of the Cool Whip.
- Repeat layers with brownies, pudding, hot fudge, and 1/2 cup toffee bits. Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the top. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup toffee bits over the top of the trifle.
- Cover and chill for 4 hours until ready to serve.
Notes
- Use a glass bowl or trifle dish—the fun thing about trifles is being able to peek at the layers through the side of the dish!
- Feel free to use store-bought brownies for this brownie trifle if you’re short on time. Just make sure they’re fudgy and delicious, and not too dry.
- You can use my easy chocolate cake in place of the brownies for a delicious trifle recipe.
- For a boozy twist, add a splash of your favorite liqueur to the pudding mixture. Or drizzle it over the brownie layers before adding the pudding. Kahlua would be fantastic!
- To make individual trifles, use small mason jars or plastic wine cups. This creates a cute, personal-sized chocolate brownie trifle dessert option.
- Don’t hesitate to experiment with different tastes and garnishes! You can adapt this brownie trifle recipe to match your preferences or the occasion. Experiment with different pudding flavors, brownie recipes, sauces, and candies.
Nutrition
Calories: 386kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 97mg, Sodium: 144mg, Potassium: 177mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 37g, Vitamin A: 572IU, Calcium: 49mg, Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!
