8 Layer Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle

When I first moved to Tennessee, my friend Candice welcomed me with open arms. We went to Bible college together years ago but have since settled down and started families on separate sides of the country. But when my husband got a job 15 minutes from her home, I was glad to have a friend nearby to help cushion the struggle of moving away from my family. Candice served me this chocolate peanut butter trifle one night and I was instantly hooked! I truly appreciated her kindness and loved the taste of the dessert. She told me how to make it and I have made it for several other friends since.

Here we are at our 4th of July BBQ last year. We both homeschool our children and are in the same co-op so we get to see each other every week! Our kids are great friends! Our husbands get along great and even work on projects together if their schedules allow for it. I thank the Lord for Candice’s friendship…and her chocolate peanut butter trifle recipe, of course!

Bake a regular chocolate cake according to the package directions. Once it is cooled, cut it in half and layer the bottom of your trifle dish with the cake.

Mix up a package of instant chocolate pudding with 3 cups of 2% milk. Let it set in the fridge for at least an hour until it is set. Once it is ready to go, scoop out half of the pudding and layer it on top of the chocolate cake.

Now grab a container of whipped topping and 8 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Layer half of the whipped topping onto the pudding and then crumble 4 of the peanut butter cups on top of the whipped topping.

Repeat the layers one more time: chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, whipped topping, peanut butter cups. End with the peanut butter cups on top. If you want to get the finer flakes of peanut butter, use a microplane zester or miniature grater in addition to the crumbles. See how easy that was? There really is no way you can mess this up…well, unless you eat part of it before serving your friends. Which I have done. Don’t judge me, this is chocolate we’re talking about here!

Let this beautiful chocolate peanut butter trifle chill in the fridge until you are ready to serve. I promise that this treat will be the hit of the night! I have served it multiple times to several different types of groups and every time there is nothing left! It is a little messy to serve, but I have never had a complaint. My friends are too busy licking their spoons (and bowls!) to care about the presentation. But it travels well if you want to take it to a potluck and it always catches everyone’s eyes.

Give it a try if you have a party coming up. Need some potluck side dish ideas? You may want to check out these easy 30 Minute Baked Beans or this simple Broccoli Salad. There are also some great picnic ideas on my 13 Best Summer BBQ & Potluck Recipes. Happy cooking y’all!

8 Layer Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle

Heidi Davison

This 8 layer chocolate peanut butter trifle is always a hit! It is a cinch to make but the flavor combination is irresistible. Everyone will want seconds!

4.50 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 6 -8

Ingredients

  

• 1 box chocolate cake prepared according to package directions
• 1 box chocolate pudding prepared according to box directions will need 3 cups 2% milk
• 8 Reese's peanut butter cups
• 1 container whipped topping thawed

Instructions

 

• Bake the cake per box instructions. Let it cool completely.
• Whisk together the pudding and let it set at least 1 hour.
• Assemble a layer of chocolate cake, half the pudding, half the whipped topping, and 4 crumbled peanut butter cups.
• Repeat the layers a second time, ending on the peanut butter cups.
• Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.