This easy chocolate trifle recipe is quick to make and beautiful to look at! Layers of brownies, instant chocolate pudding, Cool Whip, and Oreos make this the perfect dessert we all need for special occasions and holidays!
Looking for more chocolate dessert recipes? Be sure to try this classic no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies and this chocolate zucchini bread.
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Chocolate Brownie Trifle
There’s something so elegant about a layered dessert. Whether it’s a pumpkin delight, a Christmas lasagna dessert, or a chocolate trifle. It’s as much about the taste as it is the presentation!
I’ve been a longtime fan of trifles but up until now, it’s been mostly all about the fruit trifle. It’s light, airy, and fruity which is great for the summertime. However, what can I say, I need a delicious trifle for every season!
This is why this decadent dessert trifle, made with layers of rich chocolate, is a chocolate lovers dream!
One of the easiest chocolate desserts, made with a boxed brownie mix and just 4 other budget-friendly ingredients.
Trifle Ingredients Needed
One of the easiest chocolate desserts, made with a brownie boxed mix and just 4 other budget-friendly ingredients.
- Brownie Mix: Use whatever brownie mix you like. Don’t forget to include the additional ingredients the mix calls for, which are usually water, eggs, and vegetable oil. You’re going to bake the brownies according to the package directions.
- Instant Chocolate Pudding: This is the powdered pudding, not the ready-to-eat pudding! Once combined with the milk it will become a creamy consistency.
- Milk: I like to use at least 2% milk when making instant pudding, I find it makes it a richer consistency. You can also use whole milk, skim milk, or any milk you prefer.
Cool Whip: Thawed and divided. You don’t need to do anything to it, as it will be a whipped topping layer all on its own! - Oreo Cookies: Crushed cookies will also be its own layer. No need to remove the cream or pulse them into crumbs. Just roughly crush whole Oreo cookies into chunks by placing them in a plastic baggie and hit the bag with a rolling pin a few times.
Variations/ Substitutions
1. If you have the time to bake brownies from scratch, go for it! Use a chocolate cake mix or even angel food cake if you prefer. Both are great options.
2. Looking to make it a bit healthier? I have a great gluten-free brownie recipe for you to try. I even have an avocado chocolate pudding (no, it doesn’t taste like avocados) and coconut milk whipped cream to go along with it!
3. Add chopped pecans or walnuts on top.
4. Try adding mini chocolate chips, heath bar crumbles or toffee bits to the middle layers of the chocolate trifle and finish it off with some more. Chocolate shavings would be great too!
5. Drizzle the chocolate trifle with chocolate sauce or caramel sauce before serving.
How to Make this Easy Trifle Recipe
Serve this chocolate trifle in a clear trifle bowl so everyone can see the contrasting black and white colors and different textures. It’s a true showpiece for holiday dessert or parties anytime!
Step 1: Bake the brownies in a 9-inch pan according to the directions on the package. Once the baked brownies have cooled completely, cut them into small 1-inch squares.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk the chocolate pudding mix and cold milk together.
Step 3: Add just 4 ounces of cool whip to the pudding mixture to lighten it up and give it a bit of an airy texture.
Step 4: Start assembling the chocolate trifle by adding a layer of the brownie pieces (about half the brownies) to the bottom of a large trifle dish or other large glass bowl. Sprinkle ⅓ of the crushed Oreos on top and then half of the chocolate pudding mixture on top of that. Finally, add half of the remaining Cool Whip and spread it evenly over the pudding mixture.
Step 5:
Continue assembling by repeating the pattern finishing with a top layer of Cool Whip and then the last ⅓ of the crushed cookies.
Tips
- For quick prep if you’re short on time, skip baking brownies, and use ready-made store-bought brownies instead.
- Chocolate trifle is best served once it has had a chance to chill in the fridge for a couple of hours.
- Make individual servings by assembling them in martini glasses or mason jars. Chocolate parfaits are just as cute!
FAQ’s
Certainly! You can make the individual layers ahead of time. The brownies, the pudding layer, and thaw your cool whip beforehand. You can also assemble the entire chocolate trifle and keep it refrigerated for up to 1 day. It’s even better after it’s been chilling!
Wait to add the garnishes on top until just before serving. Otherwise, you may end up with soggy cookies.
You can make your own whipped cream to use in a trifle instead of cool whip. Just add 1 ½ cup of cold heavy whipping cream, ¾ cup of powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to a large bowl and whip on high speed until stiff peaks have formed.
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Easy Chocolate Trifle
Ingredients
- 18.3 ounce brownie mix plus ingredients water, eggs, vegetable oil listed on box)
- 7.8 ounces instant chocolate pudding
- 3 cups milk
- 16 ounces cool whip divided
- 13.29 ounce package of Oreo cookies crushed
Instructions
- Prepare and cook the brownies per the package directions in a 9×13 inch baking dish.18.3 ounce brownie mix
- Allow the brownies to cool completely and then slice into small cubes.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the chocolate pudding mixes and milk and whisk together.7.8 ounces instant chocolate pudding, 3 cups milk
- Add 4 ounces of cool whip to the pudding mixture and whisk to combine.16 ounces cool whip
- In a trifle bowl or other large glass bowl, add a layer of brownies to the bottom of the bowl (about half of the brownies)
- Sprinkle approximately ⅓ of the crushed Oreos on top of the brownies.13.29 ounce package of Oreo cookies
- Add half of the pudding mixture as the next layer and spread evenly.
- Add half of the remaining cool whip and spread evenly over the pudding mixture.
- Then, add the remaining brownies for the next layer.
- Sprinkle another ⅓ of the Oreo cookies over the whipped topping.
- Spread the remaining pudding over top of the cookies and spread evenly.
- Top with the remaining cool whip and spread evenly once again and then sprinkle the remaining crushed Oreo’s on top.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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