Chocolate Trifle Recipe

This Chocolate Trifle recipe combines brownies, angel food cake, and white chocolate pudding in delicious layers everyone will love. This dessert looks beautiful served in a glass trifle bowl, showing off each delicious layer.

Making this trifle is simple. With just a few ingredients from the store, you can create something that looks and tastes amazing. The layers blend perfectly in the refrigerator, and every bite has the perfect mix of chocolate and cream.

I love serving this trifle at parties because it always gets so many smiles when people see those beautiful layers through the glass bowl. The mix of textures makes every bite interesting - soft brownies, fluffy angel food cake, smooth pudding, and that cloud of whipped topping on top.

Some nights I make this right before company arrives, and after just 30 minutes in the fridge, it's ready to serve. You can also make it the night before, so it really is the most convenient dessert imaginable. 

I've made this trifle countless times, and I love how flexible it is. Sometimes I sprinkle chocolate shavings on top, and other times I crush up a toffee bar for extra crunch. For smaller gatherings, I serve it in individual glass dishes so everyone gets their own mini trifle.

The original recipe uses white chocolate pudding, but chocolate pudding works wonderfully, too. And while store-bought brownies and angel food cake make this super easy to put together, you can absolutely use homemade if you prefer. Just make sure your brownies are on the fluffy side - dense brownies won't create those nice, distinct layers.

Ingredient Notes

See the printable recipe card below for all ingredients, specific measurements, and complete instructions.

• Brownie mix: Any 18.25 ounce box mix works perfectly. Use the cake-like directions on the box for the best texture in your trifle layers.
• Angel food cake: Store bought saves time and works great. You'll need about half of a standard cake. Fresh is best since it needs to hold up when cubed.
• White chocolate pudding mix: Look for instant pudding and pie filling - the regular kind takes too long to set. The small 3.4 ounce boxes are perfect.
• Milk: Regular cold milk works best. The pudding won't set properly with non-dairy alternatives.
• Whipped topping: A 16-ounce container gives you enough for mixing into the pudding and topping the trifle. Make sure it's completely thawed so it blends smoothly.
• Oil and eggs: These are for the brownie mix. Use vegetable or canola oil - both work great.
• Optional toppings: Toffee bits add great crunch. For chocolate shavings, any chocolate bar will do - just run it along a cheese grater.

How To Make This Chocolate Trifle Recipe

Start with the brownies since they need time to cool. Mix up your brownie batter according to the cake-like directions on the box, then spread it evenly in a 9x13 pan and bake. Once they're done, set them aside to cool completely.

While the brownies cool, grab your angel food cake and cut it into 1-inch cubes. You'll need about half a cake total. Set these cubes aside while you make the pudding mixture.

For the pudding layer, whisk together both boxes of white chocolate pudding mix with cold milk in a medium bowl. Keep whisking until you see it start to thicken up. Then gently fold in 2 cups of the whipped topping - save the rest for the top layer. The pudding mixture should be smooth and fluffy.

Now comes the fun part - layering everything in your trifle bowl. Start by spooning in half the brownie cubes for the base layer. Add half the angel food cake cubes next, then spread half of your pudding mixture over the top. Repeat these layers one more time, finishing with the pudding.

Slide your trifle into the refrigerator for at least one hour. Right before serving, spread those remaining 2 cups of whipped topping over the entire top. For extra flair, sprinkle on some chocolate shavings or toffee bits!

What size trifle bowl should I use?

A standard 3-quart (12-cup) trifle bowl works best for this recipe. If your bowl is smaller, you might have extra ingredients to make a few individual servings on the side.

What if I don't have a trifle bowl?

A large glass bowl works great. You can also use a deep casserole dish or create individual servings in glass cups. The key is using a clear container so you can see the layers.

Can I substitute milk alternatives in the pudding?

Most non-dairy milk alternatives won't set the instant pudding properly. If you need a non-dairy option, look for pudding mixes specifically made for alternative milks.

Substitutions and Variations

• Switch the pudding. Use chocolate pudding instead of white chocolate for an extra chocolate punch.
• Add more texture. Mix chocolate chips into your brownie batter before baking.
• Make mini chocolate trifles. Create individual servings in small glass dishes or cups - perfect for parties or portion control.

Make-Ahead, Storing and Freezing

Make Ahead: This trifle actually tastes better when made a day ahead. You can also prepare the brownies up to 2 days before assembly - just store them tightly covered so they stay fresh.

Store: Cover your trifle and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The layers will stay distinct and the dessert stays fresh and delicious. Though honestly, leftovers rarely last more than a day in my house!

Freeze: I don't recommend freezing this trifle. The textures of the angel food cake and whipped topping change significantly when frozen and thawed, and the layers won't look as nice.

Recipe Tips

• A clear glass trifle bowl shows off the beautiful layers, but you can also make this in individual glasses or small bowls for serving.
• Add the final layer of whipped topping and any garnishes right before serving for the freshest look.
• Use cake-like brownies rather than fudgy ones - dense brownies make the layers too heavy and compact.
• Cut your brownies and angel food cake into even 1-inch cubes for consistent layers. Try using a ruler as a guide for your first few pieces.
• When folding whipped topping into the pudding, use gentle strokes to keep the mixture light and fluffy.
• Make sure your brownies are completely cool before cutting and layering. Warm brownies will melt the pudding mixture.
• If making homemade angel food cake or brownies, let them cool overnight before assembling the trifle.
• For easy chocolate garnish, refrigerate a chocolate bar for 30 minutes, then use a cheese grater to create fine shavings.

For more delicious chocolate desserts, here are a few that we love. This Chocolate Lasagna is a favorite! These Rocky Road Brownies and this Snickers Poke Cake are always a hit.

This Chocolate Trifle brings together simple ingredients to create something truly special. With layers of brownies, angel food cake, and creamy white chocolate pudding, it's a dessert that looks beautiful and tastes amazing. The fact that you can make it ahead makes it perfect for any gathering!