Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

We sure are missing our families this holiday season as we are thousands of miles away from all of them, but overall I must say that it has been a relaxing time.  No rushing around from house to house, eating 3 dinners in one night, etc.  We ate our Christmas dinner this year with some other friends that didn't make the trek back West to visit their families as well.  I was in charge of a few items on the Christmas dinner menu, one of them being dessert. I had just seen this and thought it would be great to take on over.  It was.  It is very rich, but really...you can never go wrong with a trifle!

Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

1 batch of your favorite brownies, cooled and cubed

1 large box instant chocolate pudding, prepared as directed

1 bag of peanut butter cups, chopped

2 cups heavy cream

4 tablespoons sugar

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

With electric mixer, beat heavy cream and sugar until thick. Refrigerate. 

In another bowl add peanut butter and cream cheese. Mix until incorporated. Add powdered sugar, and milk. Fold in 1 cup of the cream mixture.

Now layer. Starting with brownies, then peanut butter mixture, peanut butter cups, chocolate pudding and whipped cream...and repeat. Refrigerate before serving. 

Recipe Source:  Our Family Treat

Caramel Apple Trifle

First off, I just wanted to let you all know that I am posting over with Kiki today, so click HERE and check it out!  

Here is a ridiculously decadent dessert that tastes like an ooey gooey caramel apple.  And what says Halloween more than caramel apples?!  Is this calorie friendly....not at all.  But hey, sometimes splurging is SOOO worth it!  One of the things I love about trifles is that they look really impressive for any occasion, but are really easy to  put together.


Caramel Apple Trifle

1 baked cake (apple, white, pound, or even angel food cake would be great!)
1 can apple pie filling
1 jar caramel sauce
Apple Cider donuts (approx 4-6 depending on size) (or just use more cake...I think I will next time.  It was a little too sweet with the glazed donuts)
1 large box vanilla pudding, prepared
Coarsely chopped oatmeal cookies (Store-bought is fine)
whipped topping (Cool Whip)

In a trifle pan, layer all your ingredients starting with the donuts, pudding, cookies, caramel, cake, apple pie filling, pudding, cookies…etc.

Continue layering until the trifle dish is full finishing with whipped topping and a drizzle of caramel.  I recommend refrigerating for 2-3 hours in advance)

Recipe Source:  Cookies and Cups