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Heaven In A Bowl is the ultimate layered dessert that combines all the best flavors in one decadent trifle. With fudgy brownie chunks, creamy peanut butter, rich vanilla pudding, and layers of mini Reese’s cups, each spoonful is a blissful mix of chocolatey, peanut buttery goodness. This dessert is perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or whenever you need a sweet treat that’s sure to impress!
The process is simple, yet the results are show-stopping. Start with a base layer of chewy brownie pieces, followed by a smooth, peanut butter-infused vanilla pudding. Add in a sprinkle of halved Reese’s cups for extra texture and flavor, and repeat these layers to build a gorgeous, indulgent trifle. Topped with a layer of fluffy Cool Whip and garnished with even more Reese’s cups, this dessert looks as heavenly as it tastes.
After a short chill in the fridge, the layers meld together into a creamy, dreamy dessert that’s easy to serve and sure to disappear fast. Each layer complements the next, creating a dessert that’s rich, sweet, and perfectly balanced. Serve it in a large glass trifle dish to show off the beautiful layers, and get ready for everyone to ask for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle:
Ultimate Indulgence: Every layer is a treat—soft brownies, creamy peanut butter pudding, and crunchy Reese’s peanut butter cups. It’s like a decadent sundae in a bowl!
Easy to Make: With pre-made ingredients like brownie mix and instant pudding, you can create a dessert that looks fancy but requires minimal effort.
Perfect for Sharing: This trifle serves a crowd, making it ideal for gatherings, holidays, and potlucks. Trust me, it’ll be gone in no time!
Customizable: Add extra toppings, swap flavors, or even make it lighter with some easy ingredient tweaks. This dessert is flexible, and you can get creative!
Key Ingredients:
Brownie Mix: For a truly fudgy brownie layer, opt for a high-quality brownie mix or add a handful of chocolate chips into the batter before baking. If you prefer a homemade approach, feel free to make brownies from scratch, just make sure they’re not too cakey.
Peanut Butter: Smooth, creamy peanut butter gives the pudding mixture a delightful richness. Stick to regular creamy peanut butter for this; natural varieties can sometimes cause separation in the pudding mix.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: The miniature size works best here for easier layering and cutting, but if you have larger ones on hand, simply chop them into smaller pieces.
Cool Whip: This whipped topping adds lightness to the layers. Be sure it’s fully thawed so it folds easily into the pudding mixture. You could substitute with homemade whipped cream if you want a fresher flavor.
Instant Vanilla Pudding: The pudding mix is key to creating that creamy texture. Instant pudding sets quickly and doesn’t require stovetop cooking, making it a simple choice for this no-bake dessert.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
How to Make a Decadent Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle
Step 1: Prepare the Brownies
Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 12×9-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
Mix the Batter: Prepare the brownie batter according to the package instructions, typically combining the brownie mix with eggs, oil, and water. Stir until smooth and well combined.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter).
Cool and Cut: Allow the brownies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, cut them into 3/4-inch thick slices. Set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Peanut Butter Cups
Halve the Reeses: Cut each miniature Reese’s peanut butter cup in half. These will be used throughout the layers and as a garnish. Set aside.
Step 3: Make the Pudding Mixture
Mix Pudding and Milk: In a large mixing bowl, beat the instant vanilla pudding mix with cold milk for about 2 minutes until thick and creamy.
Add Peanut Butter and Vanilla: Blend in the creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
Fold in Cool Whip: Gently fold in 1 1/2 cups of thawed Cool Whip to lighten and add a creamy texture to the pudding mixture.
Step 4: Assemble the Trifle
Layer the Brownies: In a 5-quart glass trifle dish, place one-third of the sliced brownies at the bottom.
Add Pudding and Reeses: Top the brownie layer with one-third of the pudding mixture, then sprinkle half of the halved Reese’s cups over the pudding.
Repeat Layers: Continue layering with another third of the brownies, another third of the pudding, and the remaining half of the Reese’s cups.
Final Layer: For the top, add the last third of brownies and pudding, smoothing out the top for an even finish.
Step 5: Garnish and Chill
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