Layers of fudgy chocolate brownies, cheesecake pudding and cool peppermint combine in this festive candy cane inspired trifle dessert. Chocolate peppermint trifle is the easy yet stunning dessert to make this holiday season!
Chocolate Peppermint Trifle
You all know how much I love trifles by now. There are several reasons why I think trifle is such a great dessert, first and foremost because they look amazing. While our favorite is still this English Trifle, we love all sorts of layered desserts around here.
One of my all-time favorite flavor combinations is chocolate and peppermint. Rich fudgy chocolate cooled with peppermint makes my taste buds so happy. My favorite Christmas cookies are chocolate cookies stuffed with candy cane kisses and this chocolate peppermint trifle does not disappoint!
When people see this chocolate peppermint trifle, I guarantee there will be oohs and ahhs throughout the room. It’s a beautiful table centerpiece and definite showstopper! The other reason I love making trifles is because they are so easy. Simply layer your ingredients and you have a magnificent dessert that’s almost effortless.
Speaking of easy, except for the brownies, this particular trifle is almost no-bake as well. Your grocery’s bakery may sell ready-made brownies, or you can use a box mix or whip up a batch from scratch. You’ll need two 8×8 pans or one pan of 13×9 brownies.
The filling is equally easy using boxed pudding and whipped topping (or homemade whipped cream). Pudding is my secret ingredient in the kitchen! One of my favorite Christmas cookies are pistachio pudding cookies which have a festive green color and soft interior thanks to the pudding. I used cheesecake flavored pudding for this trifle, but vanilla or white chocolate would work just as well.
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Ingredients you will need:
- Prepared brownies – two 8×8 pans or one 13×9 batch
- 2 boxes (3.4 oz each) instant cheesecake pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk
- 8 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 10-12 oz white chocolate peppermint candy, crushed
Kitchen tools you may need:
For the peppermint, I used Andes peppermint crunch mints, but Hershey’s also makes a white chocolate bar with crushed candy cane bits. The amount per package varies by brand, but approximately 10-12 ounces is needed. I would not recommend using actual candy canes for this recipe or the flavor will be too overwhelming.
Tasters of this dessert say the coolness of the mint keeps this trifle from becoming too rich. They found it refreshing after a full dinner. They also particularly loved the peppermint candy I used since it’s soft and melts in your mouth.
If you love candy cane desserts, you’ll love this homemade peppermint ice cream and this fudgy brownie trifle!
More Trifle Recipes
- Jello Trifle
- Strawberry Lasagna Trifle
- Tiramisu Trifle
- Carrot Cake Trifle
- Mixed Berry Trifle
- Lemon Blueberry Trifle
- Chocolate Lasagna Trifle
- Strawberry Shortcake Trifle
Chocolate Peppermint Trifle
IMPORTANT - There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 2 boxes 3.4 oz each instant cheesecake pudding mix
- 3 cups cold milk
- 8 oz frozen whipped topping thawed
- Cooked and cooled brownies: two 8x8 pans or one 13x9 batch
- 10-12 oz white chocolate peppermint candy crushed (amount varies by brand)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes.
- Fold in the whipped topping (may save 1 cup of whipped topping as garnish, if desired). Place mixture in refrigerator while preparing the other ingredients.
- Cut the brownies into 1-inch cubes. Crush or chop the chocolate into bits, if it they are in large pieces.
- In a 3-quart bowl, layer 1/3 of the brownies, 1/3 of the pudding and 1/3 of the candy. Repeat layers two more times. Garnish with reserved whipped topping, if desired.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve.
Amanda Davis
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Tobi says
Wish me luck I’m trying this tomorrow for a Christmas party looks easy and delish! Can u make ahead or will it get soggy?
Amanda Davis says
Yes a day ahead is fine
Deb says
I tried this for a Christmas party at work and the one box of brownies barely made a full trifle dish it looks really good in your picture but not so good in my trifle dish
CAROL SCHNAITER says
Thanks-great recipe and a big hit at the Christmas lunch!
Shelby says
Is this something you could make ahead of time? Like the day before?
Amanda Formaro says
Yes
mERandiaaaa says
we making for french class and i think ur pretty lol
Carissa says
My husband doesn’t like cheesecake.Have you tried this recipe with chocolate pudding instead?
Amanda Formaro says
We have not, but if you try it we’d love to hear how it goes!
Molly says
Wonderful recipe! I’m back again to make it this holiday season!
Amanda Formaro says
Awesome, so glad you enjoyed it Molly! :)
Megan says
This was my first time coming to your website and unfortunately, I will not be back. It is too hard to navigate my way through your pages with all the ads and pop ups. I could not print out the recipe I wanted because your pop up to join kept coming up. It took me longer to try to print than it did picking a recipe. As a busy mom, I don’t have time to mess with pages FULL of adds and pop ups.
Amanda Formaro says
I’m sorry you had trouble Megan – I truly appreciate your feedback and have been considering removing the popup newsletter box. I will take your feedback seriously as I reevaluate things for the new year. I hope you have a good Christmas!