If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert that’s as easy to assemble as it is to devour, this Peanut Butter Cup Trifle is the answer. With layers of moist chocolate cake, fluffy peanut butter mousse, whipped topping, and loads of chopped peanut butter cups, it’s a sweet treat that’s hard to resist.
The beauty of a trifle lies in its layers. You donât need to be a pastry chef to create a stunning dessert that looks like it came straight from a bakery window. Start with your favorite chocolate cake, boxed mix or homemade, both work great here. Once cooled, cut or crumble it into chunks to create the rich, chocolatey base of each layer.
Next comes the creamy peanut butter mousse. Itâs made by folding whipped topping into a sweet peanut butter and cream cheese mixture, resulting in a light yet luscious filling. Add a generous layer of this mousse on top of the cake, followed by more whipped topping for a cool, airy contrast.
The star of the show? Chopped peanut butter cups. Sprinkle them liberally between the layers and on top to add texture, crunch, and that unmistakable peanut butter-chocolate combo. Every bite delivers the perfect blend of smooth, sweet, and salty.
This trifle is ideal for feeding a crowd at potlucks, holidays, or casual gatherings. It can be made ahead and stored in the fridge, which actually improves the flavor as the layers meld together.
If you want to dress it up even more, drizzle melted chocolate or warm peanut butter over the top just before serving. Or swap in brownies for the cake base for an extra-decadent twist.
Peanut Butter Cup Trifle is the kind of dessert that gets people talking, and going back for seconds. Itâs rich, indulgent, and a guaranteed favorite among both kids and adults. If youâre a fan of chocolate and peanut butter, this trifle might just become your new go-to dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 package chocolate brownie mix prepared according to package instructions
- 1 cup peanut butter creamy
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 ounces
- 1 package cream cheese 8 ounces, softened
- tub whipped topping 12 ounces, thawed
- 12 peanut butter cups chopped
- 1/2 cup chocolate syrup
- 1/2 cup peanuts for garnish, chopped
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, sweetened condensed milk, and cream cheese. Mix until smooth.
- In a trifle dish or large glass bowl, layer half of the brownie, half of the peanut butter mixture, and half of the whipped topping. Repeat the layers.
- Top with chopped peanut butter cups. Drizzle with chocolate syrup and sprinkle with chopped peanuts.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
I followed the recipe but it turned out too sweet for my taste. Maybe less sugar next time?
This trifle is the bomb! I did half the sugar and added nuts! soooo good!
That sounds delicious! I love the idea of adding nuts. I’m definitely gonna try that next time!
I dunno, half the sugar? Isnât that like… not a dessert anymore? I think you mightâve ruined it, sorry!
This trifle is amazing! I made it for a family gathering and everyone loved it! Rich and delicious!
Looks good, but isnât it too sweet? I dont think my family will like it. Maybe less candy next time.
Wow, that sounds delicious! I’m gonna try this for my next family BBQ. Thanks for sharing!
I donât have a trifle dish, can I just use any bowl?
So rich and sweet! Maybe a lil too much peanut butter for my taste but my kids loved it!
Kinda sounds gross to me. Peanut butter and chocolate together? No thanks.
We loved it too! But my husband thought there was too much peanut butter as well. Maybe next time I will reduce it a bit.
Peanut butter cups are life. This dessert is so good I need to go get another bowl! đ
I dunno… it seems like way too much sweet stuff. How can you even eat that? đ¤
This looks amazing! I love peanut butter and chocolate together. Can’t wait to try it! đ
This was super delicious! I added some crushed Oreos on top too. Definitely making it again!
I messed it up a bit. Used crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy, and it was a disaster. But still tasted okay lol.
Not gonna lie, I followed it and mine came out kinda runny, like it never really âlayered.â Maybe my cream cheese wasnât soft enough or I didnât whip the peanut butter mix long enough. Flavor was good though, just not the presentation.
Ugh, thatâs frustrating đ But your instincts make senseâif the cream cheese wasnât really soft or you didnât whip it well, the peanut butter mixture can stay looser and wonât âsetâ into neat layers. Iâd try beating the peanut butter/condensed milk/cream cheese longer (like 3â5 minutes) until it looks fluffy, then chilling longer than 2 hours.
Yum! My husband couldn’t get enough of this! Would make again!
It was delicious but a bit too complicated for me.
Honestly, too much peanut butter for my taste. Didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
Okay the ingredient list is pretty sweetâlike, I could barely taste the chocolate after all the peanut butter. Still, it tasted like a Reeseâs dessert on purpose, so⌠maybe thatâs the point? Next time I might cut the syrup a little.
I made this for my friendâs birthday and everyone went crazy for it. But I think you need more chocolate syrup!
Yum! My kids loved it. They couldn’t get enough. Super easy too!
Yummm!!! đ I used almond butter instead and it turned out great! Can’t wait to make it again!
That sounds delish! Almond butter is a great swap! đ° Can’t wait to try it like that! What topping did you use?
Uhh, almond butter? Isn’t that kinda different from peanut butter? Not sure how that works… đ¤
I was skeptical about mixing peanut butter with cream cheese, but this turned out delicious. Just wow!
Just okay. I prefer my brownies without all this mix stuff.
Super easyâno baking besides the brownie mix. I followed everything and it set nicely in the fridge. The chopped peanut butter cups floating on top were chefâs kiss.
I was skeptical about this recipe being too sweet, but dang, it’s actually perfect! Not overly sweet at all!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! I was worried it might be too sweet for me too, but now I think I’ll try it!