Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle

If you love the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter (and who doesn’t?), then Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle is about to become your new favorite dessert. Layers of rich chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter mousse, and chunks of Reese’s peanut butter cups, all nestled in a big glass trifle dish. It’s a sweet and decadent treat that’s as easy to make as it is to devour. Seriously, every bite is like a bite of heaven. Get ready to impress your family, friends, or even just yourself with this ridiculously good dessert.

Why You’ll Love Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle

A Dreamy Combination of Flavors

The classic chocolate and peanut butter combo is unbeatable, and this trifle takes it to the next level. The chocolate cake is rich and moist, the peanut butter mousse is smooth and creamy, and the chunks of Reese’s cups? Well, they just make everything better.

Layered for Maximum Indulgence

Each spoonful of this trifle is a perfect bite of sweet and creamy goodness. The layers come together in the most irresistible way, creating a balance of flavors and textures that everyone will love.

No-Bake Convenience

You don’t need to turn on the oven for this one! While you can use a store-bought cake or make your own, this trifle doesn’t require any baking, making it a fantastic option for last-minute desserts or a quick treat to satisfy your chocolate and peanut butter cravings.

Showstopper Dessert

The trifle is served in a beautiful glass dish, showcasing the gorgeous layers and making it perfect for any occasion. Whether it’s a holiday, birthday, or a casual get-together, this dessert is sure to wow your guests.

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Ingredients

For the Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle, you’ll need:

  • Chocolate cake (store-bought or homemade)
  • Peanut butter: Smooth, creamy peanut butter for that luscious texture.
  • Cream cheese: Adds a tangy richness to the peanut butter mousse layer.
  • Powdered sugar: To sweeten the peanut butter mousse.
  • Heavy whipping cream: This makes the mousse light, fluffy, and oh-so-creamy.
  • Milk chocolate chips: To add extra chocolatey goodness.
  • Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: Chopped into chunks to create the best mix-ins.
  • Vanilla extract: A little bit of vanilla adds depth to the mousse.

(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card above.)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chocolate Cake

Start by baking your chocolate cake (or use a store-bought one if you’re short on time). Once it’s cooled, cut the cake into bite-sized cubes. Set aside to cool completely.

2. Make the Peanut Butter Mousse

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and peanut butter. Mix until smooth and well combined. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Then, in a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture, creating a light and fluffy mousse.

3. Chop the Reese’s Cups

While the mousse is coming together, chop your Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups into bite-sized pieces. These little chunks will give the trifle that perfect balance of peanut butter and chocolate in every bite.

4. Layer the Trifle

Now comes the fun part—layering! Start with a layer of chocolate cake cubes at the bottom of a trifle dish. Follow with a layer of peanut butter mousse, then sprinkle on a few chopped Reese’s cups. Repeat these layers until the dish is full, ending with a top layer of mousse and a sprinkle of Reese’s cups on top.

5. Chill and Set

Refrigerate the trifle for at least 3 hours, or overnight if you have time. This gives the layers time to set and meld together, creating a deliciously cohesive dessert.

6. Serve and Enjoy

Scoop out generous portions and serve chilled. Each spoonful will have the perfect ratio of cake, mousse, and Reese’s chunks, making this dessert a total crowd-pleaser.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 10
Calories per serving: 390
Total Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 40mg
Sodium: 150mg
Total Carbohydrates: 36g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 27g
Protein: 6g

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes

How to Serve Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle

While this trifle is perfect on its own, here are a few ways to make your presentation even more spectacular:

Top with Whipped Cream

For an extra indulgent touch, top the trifle with a dollop of whipped cream just before serving. A few extra Reese’s chunks or chocolate shavings on top will make it even more irresistible.

Serve with Fresh Fruit

Balance out the richness of this dessert with a side of fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries. The sweetness and acidity of the fruit complement the peanut butter and chocolate layers beautifully.

Coffee Pairing

Pair this trifle with a strong cup of coffee or a dessert wine for a fun and elevated dessert experience.

Additional Tips

  • Make It in Advance: This dessert actually gets better the longer it sits. The layers meld together beautifully, so feel free to make it the night before your gathering.
  • Use a Trifle Dish: If you have a trifle dish, this is the time to use it! It shows off the layers perfectly and gives your dessert a beautiful presentation.
  • Customize Your Cake: If you prefer a different type of cake, you can use a chocolate brownie or even a chocolate sponge cake instead.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I make this trifle ahead of time?
A1: Yes! In fact, this trifle is best when made ahead. The longer it chills, the better the flavors come together. Just refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Q2: Can I use a different kind of cake?
A2: Absolutely! While chocolate cake is ideal, you can use any cake you like, such as brownies or vanilla cake. Just make sure it’s a flavor that pairs well with peanut butter.

Q3: Can I make this trifle gluten-free?
A3: Yes! Simply use a gluten-free chocolate cake, and you’re good to go. Make sure all your ingredients are certified gluten-free if needed.

Q4: Can I substitute the cream cheese in the mousse?
A4: You can substitute the cream cheese with a dairy-free cream cheese if you’re looking to make it dairy-free. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.

Q5: How long will leftovers last?
A5: Leftover trifle can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil.

Q6: Can I freeze this trifle?
A6: It’s not recommended to freeze the trifle, as the mousse may lose its creamy texture when thawed.

Q7: Can I add more layers?
A7: Definitely! You can add extra layers of chocolate or peanut butter for a more decadent trifle. Just make sure to adjust the proportions accordingly.

Q8: Can I make individual servings?
A8: Yes! You can create individual trifles in small glasses or jars for a fun, single-serve version of this dessert.

Q9: How do I make it more chocolatey?
A9: You can add a layer of chocolate ganache between the layers of cake or mix some chocolate chips into the mousse for extra chocolatey goodness.

Q10: Can I use other candy instead of Reese’s Cups?
A10: Of course! You can swap out the Reese’s for any candy you like, such as chopped Snickers or M&Ms, for a fun twist.

Conclusion

This Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle is an absolute showstopper. With layers of rich chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter mousse, and chunks of Reese’s cups, it’s a dessert that’s sure to wow everyone at your table. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a fun treat, this trifle will quickly become a favorite. Make it ahead, chill it, and get ready to dive into the most decadent dessert ever! Enjoy!

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Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle


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  • Author: Olivia
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 1216 servings 1x

Description

This Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle is a decadent, layered dessert that brings together the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter. With layers of chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter filling, whipped cream, and chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups, this trifle is an indulgent treat that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Perfect for parties, family gatherings, or just a special dessert!


Ingredients

Scale


  • For the Chocolate Cake:


    • 1 box of chocolate cake mix (or homemade chocolate cake recipe)


    • Eggs, oil, and water (as required on the cake mix box)


    For the Peanut Butter Layer:


    • 1 cup creamy peanut butter


    • 8 oz cream cheese, softened


    • 1 cup powdered sugar


    • 1 cup heavy cream


    For the Whipped Cream Layer:


    • 2 cups heavy cream


    • 2 tbsp powdered sugar


    • 1 tsp vanilla extract


    For the Topping:


    • 12 Reese’s peanut butter cups, chopped into pieces


    • ½ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)





Instructions

  1. Prepare the chocolate cake:
    Bake the chocolate cake according to the instructions on the box (or your homemade recipe). Let the cake cool completely. Once cooled, cut the cake into bite-sized cubes and set aside.

  2. Make the peanut butter layer:
    In a large mixing bowl, beat the peanut butter and softened cream cheese together until smooth and well-combined. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form, then fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture. This will create a light and fluffy peanut butter filling.

  3. Make the whipped cream layer:
    In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, creating a fluffy whipped cream. Set aside.

  4. Assemble the trifle:
    In a large glass trifle dish or individual dessert cups, start by layering the chocolate cake cubes on the bottom. Then, add a layer of the peanut butter mixture, smoothing it out with a spatula. Next, add a layer of whipped cream. Repeat the layers until you run out of ingredients, finishing with a layer of whipped cream on top.

  5. Add the topping:
    Sprinkle the chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups and mini chocolate chips (if using) over the top layer of whipped cream.

  6. Chill:
    Refrigerate the trifle for at least 3 hours, or overnight if possible, to allow the flavors to meld and the dessert to firm up.

  7. Serve:
    Serve the Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle chilled and enjoy the rich layers of chocolate, peanut butter, and whipped cream!

Notes

  • You can use store-bought chocolate cake to save time, or bake your favorite homemade chocolate cake.

  • If you prefer a crunchier texture, you can add crushed graham crackers or pretzels as an additional layer between the cake and peanut butter.

 

  • Make sure to chill the trifle for at least a few hours to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld.

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Bake
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/12 of the trifle
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 25g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

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