Rating: 3.67
(112)

Peanut Butter Cup Trifle

December 15, 2023

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 don’t 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. It’s 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. It’s rich, indulgent, and a guaranteed favorite among both kids and adults. If you’re a fan of chocolate and peanut butter, this trifle might just become your new go-to dessert.

Peanut butter cup triffle
Peanut Butter Cup Trifle
3.67 from 112 votes
A delicious and indulgent dessert that features layers of peanut butter, chocolate, and whipped cream.
Servings 12 people
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 9gFat: 27gFiber: 2g
Calories: 450kcal
Meal Type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: peanut butter, Peanut Butter Cup Trifle, trifle
Cooking Method: Nobake
Time: <30 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar elijah.jones3 says:

    3 stars
    I followed the recipe but it turned out too sweet for my taste. Maybe less sugar next time?

  2. 4 stars
    This trifle is the bomb! I did half the sugar and added nuts! soooo good!

    1. User avatar gale.stanton1950 says:

      5 stars
      That sounds delicious! I love the idea of adding nuts. I’m definitely gonna try that next time!

    2. User avatar leisa.fritsch2007 says:

      2 stars
      I dunno, half the sugar? Isn’t that like… not a dessert anymore? I think you might’ve ruined it, sorry!

  3. User avatar bernardo.prosacco says:

    5 stars
    This trifle is amazing! I made it for a family gathering and everyone loved it! Rich and delicious!

    1. User avatar Trin Tragula says:

      3 stars
      Looks good, but isn’t it too sweet? I dont think my family will like it. Maybe less candy next time.

    2. User avatar tanesha.torp43 says:

      5 stars
      Wow, that sounds delicious! I’m gonna try this for my next family BBQ. Thanks for sharing!

  4. User avatar Dremora Lord says:

    4 stars
    I don’t have a trifle dish, can I just use any bowl?

  5. User avatar tad.gislason says:

    4 stars
    So rich and sweet! Maybe a lil too much peanut butter for my taste but my kids loved it!

    1. User avatar antonetta.skiles2018 says:

      2 stars
      Kinda sounds gross to me. Peanut butter and chocolate together? No thanks.

    2. User avatar Miss Antone Boyle says:

      4 stars
      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.

  6. User avatar page.damore1983 says:

    5 stars
    Peanut butter cups are life. This dessert is so good I need to go get another bowl! 😍

    1. User avatar mazie.volkman8 says:

      2 stars
      I dunno… it seems like way too much sweet stuff. How can you even eat that? 🤔

    2. User avatar kaitlyn.renner73 says:

      5 stars
      This looks amazing! I love peanut butter and chocolate together. Can’t wait to try it! 😍

  7. User avatar jame.champlin29 says:

    5 stars
    This was super delicious! I added some crushed Oreos on top too. Definitely making it again!

  8. User avatar Casey Rosenbaum I says:

    2 stars
    I messed it up a bit. Used crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy, and it was a disaster. But still tasted okay lol.

  9. 2 stars
    Not gonna lie, I followed it and mine came out kinda runny, like it never really “layered.” Maybe my cream cheese wasn’t soft enough or I didn’t whip the peanut butter mix long enough. Flavor was good though, just not the presentation.

    1. User avatar Uh Shenlong says:

      4 stars
      Ugh, that’s frustrating 😕 But your instincts make sense—if the cream cheese wasn’t really soft or you didn’t whip it well, the peanut butter mixture can stay looser and won’t “set” into neat layers. I’d try beating the peanut butter/condensed milk/cream cheese longer (like 3–5 minutes) until it looks fluffy, then chilling longer than 2 hours.

  10. User avatar lavonne.moen says:

    5 stars
    Yum! My husband couldn’t get enough of this! Would make again!

  11. 3 stars
    It was delicious but a bit too complicated for me.

  12. User avatar clayton.goodwin says:

    3 stars
    Honestly, too much peanut butter for my taste. Didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.

  13. User avatar kristofer.ohara2003 says:

    3 stars
    Okay the ingredient list is pretty sweet—like, I could barely taste the chocolate after all the peanut butter. Still, it tasted like a Reese’s dessert on purpose, so… maybe that’s the point? Next time I might cut the syrup a little.

  14. 4 stars
    I made this for my friend’s birthday and everyone went crazy for it. But I think you need more chocolate syrup!

  15. User avatar felix.jakubowski45 says:

    5 stars
    Yum! My kids loved it. They couldn’t get enough. Super easy too!

  16. User avatar Michael83 says:

    4 stars
    Yummm!!! 😋 I used almond butter instead and it turned out great! Can’t wait to make it again!

    1. User avatar liberal.hero says:

      5 stars
      That sounds delish! Almond butter is a great swap! 🌰 Can’t wait to try it like that! What topping did you use?

    2. 3 stars
      Uhh, almond butter? Isn’t that kinda different from peanut butter? Not sure how that works… 🤔

  17. User avatar matt.wintheiser says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical about mixing peanut butter with cream cheese, but this turned out delicious. Just wow!

  18. User avatar lucien.kirlin1981 says:

    2 stars
    Just okay. I prefer my brownies without all this mix stuff.

  19. User avatar houston.kemmer26 says:

    5 stars
    Super easy—no baking besides the brownie mix. I followed everything and it set nicely in the fridge. The chopped peanut butter cups floating on top were chef’s kiss.

  20. User avatar dell.feest55 says:

    4 stars
    I was skeptical about this recipe being too sweet, but dang, it’s actually perfect! Not overly sweet at all!

    1. User avatar elina.maggio says:

      5 stars
      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!

  21. User avatar shera.shields1988 says:

    5 stars
    This is absolutely delicious! I made it for a party and it was a hit! Everyone wanted the recipe. Thx!

    1. User avatar jere.quigley2015 says:

      2 stars
      I don’t know, that sounds way too sweet for me. I feel like I’d get a sugar rush just looking at it!

    2. User avatar philip.little40 says:

      5 stars
      So glad to hear it was a hit! It’s such an easy recipe but really impressive too!

  22. User avatar Ben O'Drill says:

    3 stars
    My girlfriend liked it but I thought the texture was kinda heavy? Like, rich rich. Maybe next time I’ll fold the whipped topping more gently. Otherwise it’s pretty easy.

    1. 4 stars
      I get what you mean—mine always comes out super rich too. Folding the whipped topping more gently sounds like a good fix. I might try that next time!

    2. User avatar rebeca.durgan says:

      3 stars
      Heavy?? I like heavy 😅. But if you’re worried, maybe use less cream cheese or don’t mix it quite so long—texture can get kinda dense. Also I’ve accidentally overbaked the brownie before and it made it worse.

  23. User avatar Jayson Borer says:

    5 stars
    Yum! My kids ate it all in one sitting. Highly recommend!

    1. User avatar suspiciousCommentator says:

      5 stars
      Wow, that sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try it out for my kids too. Thanks for the recommendation!

  24. User avatar Falmer Shadowmaster says:

    5 stars
    Love it! My kids devoured it in seconds. Definitely gonna make it again!

  25. User avatar Frankie and Benjy says:

    4 stars
    I’m usually skeptical of “trifle” recipes because they can get weirdly soggy, but this one actually worked. I used a thicker brownie (baked slightly longer) and it held up great in the layers. Would make again for sure.

    1. User avatar Falmer Nightprowler says:

      4 stars
      Wait—thicker brownie I can get behind, but 2 hours feels kinda short? Mine always needs more time to set. Still, the peanut butter cup topping is a no-brainer. Gonna test it though.

    2. 5 stars
      I’m so glad it worked for you! The soggy trifle fear is real 😅 Thicker brownie + longer bake sounds like the exact fix. I’ll try that next time.

  26. User avatar margret.wisoky78 says:

    5 stars
    OMG! So good! I ate the entire bowl by myself! 😋

  27. User avatar tonda.kautzer says:

    3 stars
    I wonder if I can use almond butter instead of peanut butter? Any thoughts?

    1. 5 stars
      Absolutely! Almond butter would taste great in this recipe! Just keep in mind it might change the flavor a bit but still delicious!

  28. User avatar steve_maga says:

    3 stars
    I don’t have a trifle dish, can I just use a regular bowl? Or will it mess up the layers?

  29. User avatar morris.hudson says:

    4 stars
    I made something similar but skipped the cream cheese once and it was way less creamy. This version sounds like it fixes that. Also, layer stacking in a glass bowl is always impressive.

  30. User avatar Falmer Gloomlurker says:

    3 stars
    I dont understand why you layer things… just mix it all together. Tasted good but hard to serve.

3.67 from 112 votes
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