Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

Heaven on Earth. This was delicious and looked so pretty. It was also fairly easy to make so bonus points for that. It is VERY rich tasting so you only need a little. 

• 1 fudge brownie mix (13x9 inch pan size) and ingredients required on box
• 1 package (10 oz) peanut butter chips
• 2 packages (13 oz each) miniature peanut butter cups
• 4 cups cold 2% milk
• 2 packages (5.1 oz each) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 4 tsp vanilla extract
• 24 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare brownie batter according to package directions; stir in peanut butter chips. Bake in a greased 13x9 inch baking pan 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs (do not overbake). Cool on a wire tack; cut into 3/4 inch pieces. 

Cut peanut butter cups in half; set aside 1/3 cup for garnish. In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mixes for 2 minutes (mixture will be thick). Add peanut butter and vanilla; mix well. Fold in 12 oz of whipped topping. 

Here's Tyler, contemplating life. 

Place a third of the brownies in a 5 qt glass bowl; top with a third of the remaining peanut butter cups. Spoon a third of the pudding mixture over the top. Repeat layers twice. Cover with remaining whipped topping; garnish with reserved peanut butter cups. Refrigerate until chilled. 

NOTES: You could tone down the peanut butter if you wanted by excluding the peanut butter chips in the brownies. It still tasted good but it might be less rich that way. I also, possibly, did not have a big enough trifle dish so there was no way I was fitting 12 oz of whipped topping on my finished dish. I would dare to say you don't NEED 12 oz on the top. It's your call. I just made mine look pretty and didn't need the rest. 

Serves 20 

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour + chilling

Recipe from Taste of Home