Heaven In A Bowl: Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

There’s something magical that happens when chocolate, peanut butter, and pudding get layered together in a single glorious dessert. Enter: Heaven In A Bowl. If you’ve ever stared down the dessert table at a potluck and made a beeline for that mysterious creamy mountain with chopped Reese’s on top… yep, that’s her. And she’s ready for her close-up.

This dreamy peanut butter brownie trifle is rich, ridiculously easy, and always disappears faster than you can say “save me a spoonful.” My cousin Beth calls it “therapy in a trifle dish,” and honestly? She’s not wrong. We all need a little edible hug sometimes, and Heaven In A Bowl delivers, with layers of fudgy brownie, creamy peanut butter pudding, and Cool Whip fluffiness that’s as nostalgic as it is indulgent.

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, a backyard birthday bash, or a Tuesday night with a Hallmark movie lineup, this one’s a hit. No oven anxiety. No fussy ingredients. Just pure dessert bliss.

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Why You’ll Love This Heaven In A Bowl

• Zero stress, all reward – It’s a trifle. That means no fancy piping bags, no waiting on mousse to set, just quick assembly and done.
• Chocolate + peanut butter = the dream team – This combo is timeless. Like denim jackets and good bangs.
• Crowd-pleaser alert – This dessert feeds a crowd and earns fan mail. (Seriously. My aunt got a thank-you card after bringing it to a church potluck.)
• Make-ahead magic – It only gets better the longer it chills. Hello, prep-ahead perfection.
• Kid and adult approved – Every age group dives in like it’s dessert royalty. Because it is.

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Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own bowl of heaven:

• 1 (15–18 oz) box fudge brownie mix (plus ingredients to prepare it)
• 2 (10 oz) bags mini Reese’s peanut butter cups, unwrapped and halved
• 4 cups cold 2% milk
• 2 (3.4 oz) boxes instant vanilla pudding
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 (8 oz) tubs frozen Cool Whip, thawed

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Instructions

Step 1: Bake the Brownies

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 pan and prepare the brownie mix according to the package. Bake for 20–25 minutes. Cool completely and cut into bite-sized cubes (about ¾-inch).

Step 2: Mix the Pudding Goodness

In a large bowl, whisk the milk, pudding mix, peanut butter, and vanilla for 2 minutes until smooth and thick. Fold in 1½ cups of Cool Whip for extra creaminess.

Step 3: Layer It Up

Start with a layer of brownie cubes in your trifle dish or large glass bowl. Sprinkle half the chopped Reese’s on top. Spread one-third of the pudding mixture evenly over the top.

Step 4: Repeat and Finish

Repeat with more brownies, the rest of the Reese’s, and another third of pudding. Finish with the last of the brownies and pudding mix. Spread the remaining Cool Whip on top and garnish with extra Reese’s.

Step 5: Chill Time

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight!) to let the flavors marry and the texture turn heavenly.

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Melania’s Tips for Perfect Banana Bread

Oops—wrong section! (But hey, banana bread lovers, try my banana bread with brown butter glaze sometime!)

Back to our trifle:

• Use a glass trifle dish for the prettiest presentation—those layers are Instagram-ready.
• Want it ultra-decadent? Swap fudge brownies for triple-chocolate chunk ones.
• Don’t skip chilling. It’s what turns this from “pretty good” to “holy moly.”

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Bake It With the Littles

This recipe is perfect for letting little hands help:

• Have them unwrap and halve the Reese’s (yes, some might disappear in the process—snack tax!).
• Let them do the Cool Whip dolloping and pudding stirring.
• Teach them how to layer—it’s like edible LEGO.

You’ll make memories and dessert.

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Meal-Prep Magic

Heaven In A Bowl is the ultimate make-ahead dessert:

• Assemble the whole thing up to 24 hours in advance.
• Store covered in the fridge.
• Leftovers (if you’re that mythical creature who has them) hold up beautifully for 3–4 days.

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Healthier Swaps Without Losing the Magic

Trying to lighten it up a bit? You can still ride the indulgent train with a few tweaks:

• Use sugar-free pudding and light Cool Whip.
• Sub in natural peanut butter—just make sure it’s creamy, not runny.
• Try black bean brownies or avocado brownies for a sneakily wholesome base (yes, really!).

Still tastes like a party in your mouth.

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Leftover Remix

Leftovers? Blessings in disguise. Here’s how to remix:

• Milkshake it: Blend with vanilla ice cream and a splash of milk. Insta-thickshake.
• Freeze it: Pop in small cups and freeze for a frozen treat on a hot day.
• Turn it into parfaits: Scoop into mason jars for single-serve indulgence.

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Gift It Like a Pro

Package single servings in mini mason jars, tie with a ribbon, and deliver with a sweet note. Great for:

• New moms
• Teachers
• Neighbors
• Your future self (freeze a jar and pull it out after a long week!)

They’ll think you’re Martha Stewart. But with more peanut butter.

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FAQs

Can I use homemade brownies?
Absolutely. Homemade or box mix both work beautifully. Just make sure they’re fudgy, not cakey.

Is this gluten-free?
Not as written, but you can use a gluten-free brownie mix and double-check that your pudding and candy are GF-friendly.

Can I use a different candy?
Sure! Try chopped Butterfingers, chopped Snickers, or even Oreo chunks if peanut butter’s not your thing.

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Final Thought

There’s a reason it’s called Heaven In A Bowl. It’s the dessert equivalent of sweatpants and your favorite rom-com—pure comfort, no pretenses, and always a crowd-pleaser. If you’re looking for something easy, impressive, and just plain fun to eat, this trifle is your dessert soulmate.

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