This easy Chocolate Trifle recipe is rich and decadent with layers of fudgy brownies, chocolate pudding, and whipped cream. It's a chocolate lover's dream and perfect for feeding a crowd! It's often called a chocolate brownie trifle.
Luscious Chocolate Chip Trifle is another popular recipe!
Not only is this Chocolate Trifle Dessert pretty, but look at its yummy, colorful layers! I find it's the perfect recipe for parties or family gatherings. The oohs and aahs I receive when I make it prove it!
There are so many occasions for Chocolate Trifle Recipes! Birthdays, holidays, and even brunch with the girls. They are such an easy dessert. Try Our Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Trifle for a fun twist!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's so easy to make. I highly recommend this chocolate brownie trifle recipe for anyone, no matter what skill level they have in the kitchen.
- It feeds a crowd. No matter the holiday or get-together, a trifle dessert works wonders!
- It's creamy and dreamy with a little crunch. The taste and texture are very satisfying. The creamy layers with the crunchy toffee bits are perfect.
Trifle Ingredients
I make dark chocolate brownies from scratch for this recipe, so I didn't need a brownie mix, but mixes are great for this recipe, too!
- Boxed Brownie mix or homemade brownies (+ ingredients to make brownies).
- Instant chocolate pudding mix - plus milk to make it.
- Whole milk - to make the pudding.
- Frozen whipped topping, thawed (or whipped cream) - such as Cool Whip.
- Bar chocolate candy like Heath Bars or toffee bits
Adding our crunchy Heath English Toffee bits for a topping is an excellent alternative to a chocolate bar.
We've got all the best Trifle Recipes, so you can try each one! One of our favorites is Chocolate Caramel Trifle.
Substitutions
- You can substitute whatever candy bar (like a Heath Bar) or chocolate you prefer for the topping.
- If you like, you can substitute Cool Whip for whipped cream.
- Depending on your preference, it's okay to use cut chocolate cake instead of brownies.
What To Serve It In
This layered dessert recipe is exceptional and eye-catching when displayed in a stemmed trifle dish. If you need a Trifle Bowl
The good news is it's inexpensive and holds up well year after year.
If you're a trifle fan, here are several more Trifle Recipes you must try! Fruity, creamy, and chocolatey, they're all here. The Berry Trifle is ahhhmazing!
Our all-time favorite is this No-Bake Caramel Apple Cheesecake Trifle.
Steps-by-Step Instructions (with Pictures)
Gather all your ingredients for your chocolate pudding trifle, and let's get going!
Here's an overview of the best way to layer a trifle.
- BROWNIE OR CAKE LAYER. You create the base layer with 1-inch pieces of brownies or cake. Push them to the side of the trifle dish and then fill in the center.
- PUDDING LAYER. Spoon in a layer of pudding, creating an even layer and making sure it goes all the way to the sides for the best presentation.
- CRUNCHY LAYER. To create the best texture, layer a few pieces of toffee or candy bar bits.
- WHIPPED TOPPING LAYER. Top with whipped cream of whipped topping. Again, make sure to take it to the edge of the bowl.
- REPEAT. Repeat the layers and end with the fluffy whipped topping or whipped cream.
- GARNISH. For the final layer, shave chocolate or place Heath Candy Bars or toffee bits on top.
Step 1 - Prepare Brownies (or cake)
Prepare your brownie mix according to the package directions, or make your chocolate brownies from scratch and cool completely. Then, cut the brownies into 1-inch squares.
Step 2 - Make Pudding
In a large bowl, combine the chocolate pudding mix and cold milk. Beat with a wire whisk or electric mixer for 2 minutes.
Now, fold in 8 ounces (just over half of the whipped topping)(or whipped cream) until no streaks remain.
Step 3 - Start Layering
In a trifle bowl, pretty glass serving dish, or individual serving cups, place half of the cut brownies, half of the pudding mixture, a few crunchy toffee bits, and half of the 12-ounce container of whipped cream or whipped topping.
Repeat layers. For the final layer, shave chocolate or place Heath Candy Bars or toffee bits onto the top layer for garnish. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight before serving.
Helpful Tips & Tricks
- MAKE AHEAD: This chocolate trifle dessert can be made several hours to a day ahead. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
- You can make this recipe in a large trifle dish or individual trifle cups. If making in individual trifle cups, divide your brownies into however many servings you want to make. Then, divide each of those servings into 2 to create the brownie layer within the trifle cups.
- We don't recommend freezing your trifle as the texture will not remain the same.
- See nutritional information in the recipe card, including saturated fat.
More Trifle Recipes
Chocolate Cherry Trifle
Caramel Chocolate Trifle
Chocolate Chip Cookie Trifle
Pumpkin Trifle
If you need a decadent, hands-off recipe, try our Crockpot Lava Cake! It's so good and also feeds a crowd!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make a trifle a day ahead of time. Just keep it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. It won't get soggy overnight, and the flavors come together nicely this way. However, the cake may get soggy if left in the refrigerator for more than a day.
You can use a large serving bowl or a largemouth glass vase if you don't have a trifle bowl. For mini trifles, use mason jars or glasses.
A Christmas Chocolate Trifle is one of the best desserts for the holidays.
Love this Chocolate Brownie Trifle recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down.
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Enjoy this family-friendly classic! What's your favorite dessert recipe for entertaining?
Printable Recipe
Chocolate Trifle Recipe
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 1 19.8 ounce package brownie mix {or homemade}
- 1 3.9 ounce package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 8 ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed (or whipped cream)
- 1 12 ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed (or whipped cream)
- 1 1.5 ounce bar chocolate candy or toffee bits
Instructions
- Prepare brownie mix according to package directions or make your own and cool completely. Cut into 1-inch squares.
- In a large bowl, combine pudding mix and cold milk. Beat with a wire whisk or electric mixer for 2 minutes, then fold in 8-ounces whipped topping (or whipped cream) until no streaks remain.
- In a trifle bowl or pretty glass serving dish, place half of the cut brownies, half of the pudding mixture, a few crunchy toffee bits, and half of the 12-ounce container of whipped topping—repeat layers. Shave chocolate or place toffee bits onto the top layer for garnish. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours before serving.
Video
Notes
- MAKE-AHEAD: You can make this recipe the day before or several hours ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- TOPPING: For the topping, you can substitute whatever type of candy bar or chocolate you prefer.
- CAKE OR BROWNIES: Depending on your preference, it's okay to use chocolate cake instead of brownies.
- You can make this recipe in a large trifle dish or individual (mini) trifle cups. If making in individual trifle cups, divide your brownies into however many servings you are making. Then divide each one of those servings into 2 to create the 2 brownie layer within the trifle cups.
Nutrition
We updated the images and recipe instructions in this post on 10/13/2019.
You may also like this amazing recipe for Homemade Almond Roca or this Saltine Toffee.
Susan says
Easy to make and delightful!
Erin Henry says
So glad this chocolate trifle worked for you, Susan!
Anna says
I was craving a chocolate dessert and this trifle perfectly hit the spot! It's so easy yet so fancy!
Erin Henry says
So glad to hear it. It's an easy recipe, but does have a fancy way about it 🙂
Beth says
My chocolate lovers absolutely loved this and were all over this! Such a delicious and very rich dessert. Perfect for our family gathering this weekend!
Erin Henry says
We often make this for family gatherings to rave reviews! Enjoy, Beth!
Betsy says
Scrummy! Loved this! So incredibly delicious! Each layer better than the last! Definitely a show stopper in that trifle bowl! EVERYBODY loves this!
Erin Henry says
Trifles are definitely show-stopping desserts! The layers really make the recipe stand out! Glad you enjoyed it!
Brad says
This recipe was wonderful! Everyone Loved the layers of chocolate brownies and chocolate pudding! Thanks.
Erin Henry says
Awesome! Glad you like it!
Tammy says
Hello, I love this recipe!! I plan on making this for Easter. I have a question regarding the pudding... Do I prepare the pudding or just add the pudding powder and mix with the condensed milk?
Thank you
Erin says
Just prepare the pudding milk, not the pudding package recipe. Thanks!
Jill says
Confused by this question and answer. Where in the recipe does it mention water or condensed milk? I only see that it says to mix pudding with whole milk.
Erin Henry says
Yes, you are correct, Jill. Just prepare the pudding with milk.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
This looks soooo good!!! I love the layers and your little fashionista is a doll! Merry Christmas.
Erin says
Hi Julie,
It's delicious! We brought it to my cousin's house the other night and it was wonderful!
Rhonda says
This Trifle looks delicious. I'm Pinning this for a dessert at one of my family gatherings. Trifles are always a big hit at my table. Thanks for sharing.
Erin says
Trifles feed a crowd wonderfully!! I love bringing them to family gatherings or potlucks!
Lou says
Sounds (and looks) delicious. I will be making this dessert for my dinner party tomorrow night! Thank you so much for posting it!
Erin says
Yay! It's perfect for a party and makes a great impression. You all will love it! Let me know how it goes!
Nikki says
Erin, I love trifle, well I guess I should stipulate I love dessert. But trifle is my favorite. I am so excited to see this recipe, as I have a gluten free brownie mix in my pantry begging to be used. And this is it I finally found the perfect recipe for the brownie mix. To me, I love the texture of a trifle as well as the look as it is built in a trifle bowl. This is gorgeous, thanks for sharing the recipe, pinning so I don't lose it.
Erin says
Me too! A trifle is so pretty and has yummy layers!
Thanks for the pin!