When I first moved to Tennessee, my friend Candice welcomed me with open arms, and one of the first things she shared was her chocolate peanut butter trifle. We went to Bible college together years ago but had since settled down and started families on opposite sides of the country. When my husband got a job just 15 minutes from her home, I was so grateful to have a friend nearby to help ease the transition of moving away from my family.
The night Candice served me that delicious trifle, I was instantly hooked! I not only appreciated her kindness but also fell in love with the incredible dessert. She shared the recipe with me, and now I’ve made it for several friends of my own.
Cherishing Time Together
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 friendshipā¦ and her chocolate peanut butter trifle recipe, of course!
Step 1: Bake the Chocolate Cake
Start by baking a standard chocolate cake following the package directions. You can use any brand you prefer, but a rich, moist cake works best for this recipe. Once it’s finished baking, let the cake cool completely so it doesn’t melt the layers.
After cooling, carefully cut the cake in half to make it easier to layer. Place one-half of the cake at the bottom of your trifle dish, creating a sturdy base for the dessert. If you don’t have a trifle dish, a clear glass bowl works just as well, it’s all about showing off those delicious layers!
Step 2: Prepare the Chocolate Pudding
Next, whip up a package of instant chocolate pudding by mixing it with 3 cups of 2% milk. Make sure to whisk it until smooth and lump-free. Then, pop it in the fridge and let it sit for at least an hour to fully set.
The texture should be thick and creamy before you use it. Once your pudding is ready, scoop out half of it and gently spread it over the chocolate cake layer, making sure to cover it evenly. This step adds a luscious, velvety layer that pairs perfectly with the cake.
Step 3: Layer Whipped Topping and Peanut Butter Cups
Grab a container of whipped topping (the kind in the freezer section works great) and your Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, eight should do the trick for this dessert. Start by spreading half of the whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer.
It creates a light and fluffy contrast to the rich chocolate pudding. Then, crumble four of the peanut butter cups on top of the whipped topping. You can break them into various-sized chunks to add some texture and a pop of peanut butter flavor in every bite. Don’t worry about perfection, this dessert is all about taste, not precision!
Step 4: Repeat and Add Final Touches
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 upā¦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!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle is A Crowd-Pleasing Treat
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 eye.
Give this chocolate peanut butter trifle 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 in my 13 Best Summer BBQ & Potluck Recipes. Happy cooking, y’all!
8-Layer Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven and prepare the chocolate cake according to the package directions using eggs, oil, and water as specified.
- Bake the cake as directed, then let it cool completely.
- Once cooled, cut the cake in half horizontally.
- Prepare the instant chocolate pudding by whisking the pudding mix with 3 cups of 2% milk until smooth and thick. Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour to set.
- Place one-half of the chocolate cake in the bottom of a trifle dish or clear glass bowl.
- Spread half of the prepared chocolate pudding evenly over the cake layer.
- Spread half of the whipped topping over the pudding layer.
- Crumble 4 Reeseās Peanut Butter Cups and sprinkle over the whipped topping.
- Repeat the layers: add the remaining cake, then the rest of the pudding, then the remaining whipped topping.
- Crumble the remaining 4 Reeseās Peanut Butter Cups and sprinkle on top. For a finer texture, use a microplane zester or grater for some of the peanut butter cups.
- Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Notes
- You can use any brand of chocolate cake mix; a rich, moist cake works best.
- For convenience, use frozen whipped topping (thawed) such as Cool Whip.
- To make ahead, assemble the trifle up to a day in advance and refrigerate until serving.
- For extra peanut butter flavor, drizzle a little melted peanut butter between layers.
- Substitute mini Reeseās or Reeseās Pieces for a fun variation.
- The trifle can be made in a large glass bowl if you donāt have a trifle dish.
- Adjust the number of servings by using smaller or larger serving dishes.
