Dessert lovers, prepare to meet your match. This Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Trifle is the ultimate indulgence, featuring layers of rich, fudgy brownie cubes, a light and creamy peanut butter mousse, and loads of chopped Reese’s cups. It’s a dessert that doesn’t hold back—decadent, dreamy, and designed to impress.
Perfect for parties, potlucks, or special occasions, this trifle delivers big flavor with minimal fuss. The beauty of this dish lies in its layers: the dense chewiness of brownies against the smooth, whipped mousse offers a luxurious contrast, while the peanut butter cups add that crave-worthy burst of salty sweetness in every bite. It’s a crowd-pleaser in every sense, and the presentation in a glass dish makes it as stunning to look at as it is to eat.
Even better, this recipe is adaptable. You can make it ahead of time and let it chill until you’re ready to serve—meaning less last-minute stress and more time to enjoy with your guests. The components can be homemade or semi-homemade, depending on how much time you have. Whether you use a brownie mix or whip up a batch from scratch, the results will still be next-level indulgent.
Each spoonful is a texture dream: creamy, crunchy, fudgy, and fluffy all at once. It’s the kind of dessert that leaves people asking for the recipe and going back for seconds (and thirds). For peanut butter and chocolate fans, this might just become the gold standard of layered desserts.
Servings and Timing:
- Serves: 10–12
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Assemble Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 15–30 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour (plus chilling)
Ingredients:
- 1 box brownie mix (plus ingredients to prepare) or homemade brownies
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups
Optional Toppings:
- Extra whipped cream
- Chocolate sauce drizzle
- Additional chopped Reese’s
Instructions:
- Prepare the brownies according to the box instructions or your favorite homemade recipe. Once baked, allow them to cool completely. Cut into small, bite-sized cubes.
- In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream using an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture to create a fluffy mousse.
- In a trifle dish or large clear glass bowl, begin layering: add half of the brownie cubes to the bottom, top with half of the peanut butter mousse, and sprinkle with half of the chopped Reese’s.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining brownies, mousse, and Reese’s.
- If desired, finish with extra whipped cream, a generous drizzle of chocolate sauce, and more chopped peanut butter cups for a picture-perfect presentation.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 15–30 minutes before serving to let the layers set and flavors meld together.
Variations:
- Chocolate mousse twist: Replace half the peanut butter with melted chocolate for a chocolate-peanut butter mousse.
- Mini trifles: Assemble in small jars or cups for individual servings—perfect for parties or picnics.
- Nut-free version: Use a nut-free chocolate spread and candy alternative for an allergy-friendly option.
- Crunch factor: Add a layer of crushed cookies or pretzels between the mousse and brownies for added texture.
Tips:
- Be sure the brownies are fully cooled before cutting to avoid crumbling.
- Don’t overmix the mousse when folding in the whipped cream—keep it light and airy.
- For easy slicing, freeze the peanut butter cups for a few minutes before chopping.
- Make the trifle a few hours ahead to allow the flavors to blend beautifully.
This Peanut Butter Cup Brownie Trifle is not just a dessert—it’s a celebration of everything indulgent and delicious. Whether you’re serving it to a crowd or sneaking a late-night bite from the fridge, it never fails to impress.
