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A Chocolate Trifle made with layers of brownies, chocolate pudding, caramel and whipped topping offers the perfect easy dessert recipe for any occasion! Prepare the treat in one large dish or in individual cups for a convenient, make-ahead option that will wow your guests!

Layered easy chocolate trifle in an individual cup

If you can bake a boxed brownie mix, then you can certainly prepare this easy Chocolate Trifle recipe!

The trifle is best when made in advance so that the brownies have time to soak up the caramel sauce and pudding, so whip up a batch and stash it in your refrigerator for a stress-free dessert the next time you entertain.

What is an English Trifle?

A classic English trifle is a dessert made with fruit, a thin layer of sponge fingers soaked in sherry or another fortified wine, and custard. It’s often topped with a layer of whipped cream.

My chocolate caramel trifle is a fun twist on the original, using brownies instead of the lady fingers, and caramel sauce instead of sherry. Fruit is optional, too!

How do you make easy Chocolate Trifle?

This easy dessert is so rich and decadent, I should have called it a Death By Chocolate Trifle recipe!

To start, you’ll need a 13 x 9-inch pan of baked brownies. You can either purchase brownies from the bakery section at your grocery store, or whip up a batch of your own.

I used a box of brownie mix, plus the ingredients called for on the box.

Boxed brownie mix for chocolate trifle

Bake the brownies according to package instructions and allow them to cool completely before preparing the rest of the dessert.

Tray of baked brownies

Once the brownies are cool, cut them into small pieces (about 3/4-inch squares).

Brownies cut into small squares on a cutting board

You can use a trifle dish to make one large trifle, or you can assemble 8 individual chocolate trifle cups (as shown here). Small mason jars or short, wide glasses work well for the single servings.

Place a layer of brownies at the bottom of the dish, breaking the brownies as needed so that they will fit.

Chopped brownies in the bottom of a glass

Drizzle the brownies with caramel sauce.

Squeezing caramel sauce over brownies to layer chocolate trifle

I like this Sea Salt Caramel Sauce, but any brand or variety will work!

Bottle of Ghirardelli Sea Salt Caramel sauce

Add a layer of chocolate pudding:

Chocolate pudding layer in a chocolate trifle glass

These prepared snack cups are a great shortcut!

Jello Chocolate Pudding Snack Cups

Next you’ll need a layer of thawed whipped topping.

Layer of whipped topping in a chocolate trifle glass

What is frozen whipped topping thawed?

My recipe calls for frozen whipped topping, thawed. I use the Cool Whip brand, which you can find in the freezer section at just about any grocery store. Allow the whipped topping to thaw in your refrigerator overnight — do NOT try to thaw the whipped topping on your countertop.

Container of Cool Whip

Finally, top the Cool Whip with a sprinkling of Heath Bar bits.

Heath baking bits sprinkled on top of chocolate trifle

These milk chocolate and toffee Heath Bar baking bits are a nice option because they’re already crushed; however, if you can’t find the baking bits, you can crush regular Heath bars instead.

Bag of Heath baking bits

Repeat the layers to fill the dish, finishing with whipped topping and Heath bits. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight).

Just before serving, drizzle with caramel sauce, if desired.

Spoon inside a glass of easy chocolate trifle with another mini trifle in the background

Can you freeze Chocolate Trifle?

If you have leftover trifle, it keeps well in the refrigerator for at least 4-5 days. I don’t recommend freezing the trifle, since the consistency of the whipped topping and pudding will be a bit “off” when thawed again.

Cook’s Tips and Recipe Variations:

  • Substitute with chunks of chocolate cake instead of the brownies in this recipe.
  • For a no-bake trifle that you only need to assemble, purchase a tray of baked brownies from the bakery section of your grocery store.
  • Make a Chocolate Trifle with Oreo by substituting crushed Oreo cookies in lieu of the Heath Bar bits.
  • Other chopped up candy bars would also be a nice substitute for the crunchy Heath bars. You could try chopped up Snicker’s or Milky Way bars, for instance.
  • Make a Chocolate Trifle with Fruit! Add layers of fresh berries for a Chocolate Strawberry Trifle or a Chocolate Trifle with Raspberries.
  • Add some booze to your dessert by making a Chocolate Trifle with Kahlua. Simply drizzle the brownies with the alcohol as your layering the dessert.
  • Allow at least 2 hours of chilling time before serving (or you can make the trifle up to 24 hours in advance).

Easy chocolate trifle with layers of brownies and whipped cream topped with caramel sauce and toffee Heath Bars

Other easy chocolate dessert recipes that you might enjoy:

Layered easy chocolate trifle in an individual cup

Easy Chocolate Trifle

5 from 1 vote
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total: 40 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 683.4 kcal
A Chocolate Trifle made with layers of brownies, chocolate pudding, caramel and whipped topping offers the perfect easy dessert recipe for any occasion! Prepare the treat in one large dish or in individual cups for a convenient, make-ahead option that will wow your guests!

Ingredients
  

  • 1 (18.3 ounce) box brownie mix, plus additional ingredients called for on the package
  • 8 tablespoons caramel sauce
  • 8 individual snack cups (110 grams each) prepared chocolate pudding found in refrigerated aisle
  • 4 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed
  • 1 cup Heath chocolate toffee bar bits (or substitute with Heath bars that have been crushed into small pieces)

Instructions

Prepare the Brownies:

  • Bake brownies in a 9 x 13-inch pan according to package instructions. Allow to cool completely. Cut into ¾-inch pieces.

Assemble the Trifle:

  • Using 1 large trifle dish or 8 individual cups, place a few pieces of brownie in the bottom of the dish. Break the brownies, as necessary, in order to get them to fit.
  • Drizzle caramel sauce over the brownies. Add a layer of chocolate pudding, a layer of whipped topping, and a sprinkling of Heath bar bits. Repeat layers to fill dish, finishing with whipped topping and Heath bits.
  • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) until ready to serve.
  • Just before serving, drizzle the top of the trifle with a small amount of caramel sauce, if desired.

Notes

  • Substitute with chunks of chocolate cake instead of the brownies in this recipe.
  • For a no-bake trifle that you only need to assemble, purchase a tray of baked brownies from the bakery section of your grocery store.
  • Make a Chocolate Trifle with Oreo by substituting crushed Oreo cookies in lieu of the Heath Bar bits.
  • Other chopped up candy bars would also be a nice substitute for the crunchy Heath bars. You could try chopped up Snicker's or Milky Way bars, for instance.
  • Make a Chocolate Trifle with Fruit! Add layers of fresh berries for a Chocolate Strawberry Trifle or a Chocolate Trifle with Raspberries.
  • Add some booze to your dessert by making a Chocolate Trifle with Kahlua. Simply drizzle the brownies with the alcohol as your layering the dessert.
  • Allow at least 2 hours of chilling time before serving (or you can make the trifle up to 24 hours in advance).

Nutrition

Serving: 1/8 of the recipeCalories: 683.4kcalCarbohydrates: 101.2gProtein: 6.8gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 9.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8.7gMonounsaturated Fat: 5.4gCholesterol: 52.3mgSodium: 652.8mgFiber: 1.1gSugar: 64.2g
Keyword: brownie trifle, chocolate trifle
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Blair Lonergan

This post was originally published in April, 2013. It was updated in February, 2019.

blair

Hey, I’m Blair!

Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you’ll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It’s down-home, country-style cooking!

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Comments

    1. Hi Heather! For this photo, I used the small jelly jars (I think they are the 6 ounce size). You can really use whatever you want, though. One large trifle dish would be great, and so would any larger mason jars that you might have on hand. Enjoy!

    1. Hi Trish! Yes, they will definitely be fine in the fridge for a day. It will just give the flavors more time to mix together and taste delicious! 🙂

  1. Is it the same prep time for bake and no-bake? Can I also combine the Strawberry and Raspberry for the toppings? How much is the costing of all the ingredients?

    1. Hi, Jan! The prep time will still be about 20 minutes (because you need time to assemble the trifle), but you will not need the additional 20 minutes of baking time (or extra cooling time for the brownies).

      You can definitely combine strawberries and raspberries in this dish. That would be delicious.

      I have no idea how much the ingredients cost all together. 🙂

  2. This dessert is easy and deliciously mouthwatering. I can choose my favorite fruit for my topping. I and my family will guarantee love this. Must try soon. Thank you for your delicacy recipe.

  3. 5 stars
    I think I need to prepare a plan to include ingredients before making desserts and other things for your family. When there is a plan, the time will be done faster.
    Thanks for sharing.

  4. I’m planning to use this recipe for camping and prep them ahead of time in mason jars (leaving the whipped topping only for the top and just before serving). Do you think this can keep in a cooler for 2 days? Thanks so much for the recipe!

    1. Hi, Mary! Absolutely! I think it will be perfect for the camping trip, and should be fine for 2 days if kept cold. Enjoy and have fun!