Heaven in a Bowl

Heaven in a bowl is an easy but decadent trifle that will impress all of your guests. The flavors resemble the best peanut butter pie, but it’s all assembled in an easy-to-transport trifle form. Pieces of brownie are piled between a peanut butter-pudding “custard,” chunks of peanut butter cups, and sweetened whipped cream. The result is a perfect salty-sweet mixture that will disappear by the spoonful.

The chewy texture of the brownie and the crunch of the chocolate peanut butter cups help hold structure while enveloped in the sweet nutty whipped cream cheese filling. You won’t need to let this dessert sit long. It’s nearly perfect the moment it’s finished.

Ingredients for Heaven in a Bowl

To make this dessert, brownies, whipped cream, and a peanut butter custard are layered together in a trifle dish for the ultimate indulgence. To make Heaven in a Bowl, you’ll need:

• Heavy cream: Whipped to add an airy lightness to the dessert.
• Kosher salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the ingredients.
• Cream cheese: A creamy, tangy base for a peanut butter custard.
• Creamy peanut butter: A nutty flavor and creamy texture that adds a rich addition to the dessert.
• Whole milk: Used to prepare the pudding.
• Vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix: A thick, creamy base for the peanut butter custard layer.
• Double chocolate brownie mix: A fudgy, chewy, chocolate component for the dessert.
• Mini unwrapped peanut butter cups: Adds a textural contrast and sweet chocolate-peanut butter flavor throughout the dessert.

Heaven in a Bowl Variations

To add your own unique twist to this crowd-pleasing dessert, consider these additions and substitutions:

• Flavor the whipped cream: Add vanilla extract, a splash of bourbon or rum, or a hint of cocoa powder to the whipped cream for additional flavor.
• Peanut butter: Swap with almond or cashew butter, Nutella, or sunflower butter as preferred.
• Pudding: Swap the vanilla pudding for chocolate pudding if desired.
• Fruit: Add a layer of sliced bananas, strawberries or fresh raspberries for a fruity addition.
• Brownies: Switch up the layers by swapping the brownies with cake, cookie, or blondie mix of any flavor you prefer.
• Crunch: Sprinkle the dessert with roasted peanuts, chocolate chips, chopped candy bars, toffee bits, crushed pretzels, or other crunchy garnishes as desired.
• Drizzle: Top with a drizzle of caramel, melted chocolate, or chocolate ganache for a final flourish.
• Individual portions: Assemble the dessert in glasses for individual servings.

Can I Make Heaven in a Bowl Ahead?

For the most ideal texture, prepare Heaven in a Bowl no more than 12 hours before serving. If you do want to prepare components further in advance, the brownies can be baked and frozen for up to two months. Bring to room temperature before chopping and using.

How To Store Leftover Heaven in a Bowl

If you do have any leftovers of this decadent dessert, cover tightly or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. Note that the layers of the dessert may start to break down or weep over time, so try to gobble it up as soon as you can.

More Peanut Butter-Chocolate Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

Peanut butter and chocolate is a classic dessert pairing, loved by guests of all ages. These dessert bar, pie, cupcake, and cake recipes are sure to be a hit any time of the year:

• Chocolate Peanut Butter-Fudge Bars
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars
• Peanut Butter Pie
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
• Chocolate-Peanut Butter Icebox Pie
• Devil’s Food Cake with Salted Peanut Butter Frosting and Ganache
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Fudge Ice Cream Pie