EASIEST Chocolate Trifle Recipe

This chocolate trifle tastes as heavenly as it looks!

With layers of brownies, chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings, this dessert is a chocolate lover’s dream.

I love how all the layers are displayed beautifully in a clear glass bowl for all to see. It definitely has that wow factor.

And it’s just as delicious as it is gorgeous. The layers complement each other wonderfully, giving you a fudgy, creamy, chocolatey delight in every bite.

While it looks majestic, it’s shockingly easy to make. Sure, it has several individual layers, but they’re all a cinch to prep.

So, if you’re looking for the ultimate party dessert, you’ve just found it! 

Chocolate Trifle

This chocolate trifle has repeating layers of brownies, chocolate pudding, and whipped cream. It’s topped with chocolate shavings for the perfect finish.

It looks indulgent, but you’ll be surprised by the flavor balance.

The brownies provide decadence, but the mousse-like pudding and fluffy whipped cream dial it down.

With the perfect balance of flavors, it’s hard to stop at one serving. 

Ingredients

You only need four ingredients to make this incredible trifle.

• Brownies – Use your favorite boxed brownie mix and bake according to package instructions. Aside from the mix, you also need an egg, vegetable oil, and water.
  
• Chocolate Pudding Mousse – A simple mix of instant pudding mix, condensed milk, water, and whipped cream. Be sure to use instant pudding mix, so you won’t have to cook it.
  
• Whipped Cream – While fresh is best, Cool Whip is ideal for this recipe. It’s more stable and won’t melt like homemade whipped cream.
  
• Chocolate Shavings – The cherry on top. You can also use toffee bits and other crushed candy.

How to Make Chocolate Trifle

Follow these simple steps to make this easy dessert:

1. Bake the brownies. Bake the brownies according to the package instructions. You need the brownie mix, an egg, vegetable oil, and water. Let the brownies cool for about 30 minutes, then chop them into 1-inch squares.

2. Make the pudding. Whisk the pudding mix with condensed milk and water until smooth. Gently fold in the whipped topping just until well combined.

3. Assemble the trifle. Layer the ingredients in a trifle bowl in this order:

• Half of the brownies
• Half of the pudding
• Half of the whipped topping

Repeat with the remaining layers. Sprinkle the chocolate shavings on top.

4. Chill the trifle. Cover the trifle bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 8 hours. 

5. Serve and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Trifle

To make your trifle even better, here are a few tips:

• Get the pan nice and greasy. You don’t want the brownies stuck to the pan! You can also line it with parchment paper instead for easier cleanup. 
  
• Take a shortcut. Use instant pudding. It’s easier to prepare since it doesn’t require cooking.
  
• No trifle bowl? Just use any tall glass bowl. Or, serve the trifle in smaller bowls or as parfaits.
  
• Give it some chill time. Chill the trifle for 8 hours or overnight. It needs time for the flavors to marry. If you can’t wait that long, give it at least 2 hours.

Recipe Variations

There are endless ways to customize chocolate trifle to make it your own! Give these suggestions a try:

• Build your base. Instead of brownies, try cake. Any variety works: angel food cake, chocolate cake, vanilla cake, you name it. Use a boxed mix for convenience, or bake it from scratch.
  
• Pudding power. Switch up the flavor! Just be sure it goes well with the base you’re using. You can also use chocolate mousse. 
  
• Try fun toppings. Fresh berries, caramel or chocolate sauce, chopped candy, crushed cookies, chopped nuts, and chocolate chips all work well.

Homemade Whipped Cream 

If you don’t like to use Cool Whip, make your own. The only downside is it’s not as stable, so consume the trifle immediately.

Here’s how to make homemade whipped cream:

Ingredients:

1 cup refrigerated whipping cream

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Tools:

Electric mixer

Beater attachments, chilled for 10-15 minutes

Large metal bowl, chilled for 10-15 minutes

Directions:

1. Add the whipping cream and powdered sugar to a large metal bowl. Beat it with an electric mixer, starting at low speed for 1 minute.

2. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 3-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form.

Making Ahead, Storing, and Freezing

This treat is so easy to make ahead! And if you have leftover trifle, you can store it to make it last longer.

To Make Ahead: Trifle tastes better the next day, so I highly recommend you make it ahead! 

Prepare and assemble the layers up to 2 days in advance. Cover the trifle bowl in plastic wrap and refrigerate it until ready to serve.

You can also store the brownie and pudding layers separately in air-tight containers 2 days in advance. Refrigerate them until you’re ready to assemble.

To Store: Cover the trifle bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 2 to 3 days.

To Freeze: Freeze the brownies and pudding separately in freezer-safe containers until ready to assemble. Let them thaw fully before assembling.

You can also freeze the entire truffle. Transfer it into smaller, freezer-safe containers. Cover the containers in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze them for up to 2 months.

More Chocolate Desserts To Try

Chocolate Poke Cake
Chocolate Milkshake
Homemade Chocolate Brownies
Old Fashioned Chocolate Cobbler