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Heaven in a Bowl

Heaven in a Bowl is an indulgent, layered dessert that combines rich fudge brownies, creamy vanilla pudding, smooth peanut butter, and chocolatey Reese's peanut butter cups. Finished with fluffy whipped topping and extra candy pieces, this decadent trifle offers the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter in every bite. Ideal for potlucks, birthday parties, holiday gatherings, or family celebrations, this crowd-pleasing dessert is as beautiful as it is delicious.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling and Chilling Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Chocolate Desserts, Dessert, No-Bake Assembly, Party Treats, Trifle
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620

Ingredients
  

For the Brownie Layer
  • 1 package fudge brownie mix approximately 18 ounces
  • eggs, oil, and water amounts as required by the brownie mix package
For the Peanut Butter and Pudding Layers
  • 2 packages miniature Reese's peanut butter cups approximately 10 ounces each, most chopped and some reserved for garnish
  • 4 cups 2% milk cold
  • 2 packages instant vanilla pudding mix 3.4 ounces each
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 containers Cool Whip 8 ounces each, thawed and divided

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven according to the brownie mix package instructions. Prepare the brownie batter using the additional eggs, oil, and water specified on the package. Bake as directed.
  2. Remove the baked brownies from the oven and allow them to cool completely. Cut or crumble them into small, bite-sized pieces and set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cold milk and both packages of instant vanilla pudding mix. Whisk for approximately 2 minutes, or until smooth and beginning to thicken. Refrigerate while preparing the remaining ingredients.
  4. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth, then gently fold in about half of one container of thawed Cool Whip to create a lighter, more spreadable peanut butter mixture.
  5. Unwrap the miniature Reese's peanut butter cups and chop most of them into small pieces. Reserve a handful of whole or halved peanut butter cups for decorating the finished dessert.
  6. Place half of the crumbled brownies in the bottom of a large glass trifle bowl or deep serving dish, spreading them into an even layer.
  7. Spoon half of the peanut butter mixture over the brownies. Sprinkle with a layer of chopped Reese's peanut butter cups, then spread half of the prepared vanilla pudding over the candy.
  8. Repeat the layers using the remaining brownies, peanut butter mixture, chopped Reese's, and vanilla pudding.
  9. Spread the remaining Cool Whip evenly over the top of the dessert. Decorate with the reserved Reese's peanut butter cups and a few brownie crumbs, if desired.
  10. Cover the trifle bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the layers to set and the flavors to blend.
  11. Serve chilled, using a large spoon to scoop through all the layers so each serving contains brownies, peanut butter filling, pudding, candy, and whipped topping.

Notes

For extra chocolate flavor, substitute chocolate pudding for the vanilla pudding. Prepare the dessert a day ahead and refrigerate until serving for an easy, make-ahead party treat.