Imagine diving your spoon through soft brownie crumbs, silky chocolate pudding, and clouds of whipped cream, all studded with crunchy toffee pieces. This Chocolate Toffee Trifle looks like it came straight from a bakery window, but it’s secretly one of the easiest showstopper desserts you can put on a table.

It’s built for celebrations and busy nights alike: bake (or buy) brownies, whisk together instant pudding, whip some cream, and start layering. The result is a tall, dramatic dessert that feeds a crowd, travels beautifully, and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Toffee Trifle

This trifle hits every texture and flavor note in one spoonful—fudgy brownie, cool cream, rich pudding, and crackly toffee. It’s a dream dessert for chocolate lovers who also want a little crunch and caramel in every bite.

It’s also wildly forgiving. You can use boxed brownie mix, homemade brownies, or even leftover cake. Instant pudding keeps things simple, and the whole dessert can be made ahead of time, making it perfect for holidays, potlucks, church suppers, or birthdays when you want an easy recipe that looks like you spent all day on it.

What Kind of Chocolate and Toffee Work Best for This Trifle?

For the chocolate layers, a rich, dark fudge brownie gives the trifle its deep chocolate backbone. If you prefer something milder, a milk chocolate or classic brownie mix works too—just avoid anything too cakey, because a fudgier texture holds up better against the pudding and cream.

When it comes to toffee, grab a bag of English toffee bits or crumble up chocolate-covered toffee bars. The small pieces tuck into every layer, adding caramel flavor and a delicate crunch. If you’re making this for children, you can mix the toffee with a handful of mini chocolate chips to soften the flavor a little while keeping all that fun texture.

Ingredients for the Chocolate Toffee Trifle

This trifle is made from simple supermarket ingredients that are easy to keep on hand, so you can whip it up whenever you need a crowd-pleasing dessert in a hurry.

Brownie mix – The base of the trifle. A fudgy boxed brownie mix gives you rich flavor and soft crumbs without extra effort.

Eggs, oil, and water – These are the standard ingredients called for on most brownie mix boxes and help create that chewy, moist texture.

Instant chocolate pudding mix – Gives you a smooth, thick chocolate layer in just a few minutes. Instant pudding sets quickly and slices neatly when scooped.

Cold milk – Whisks into the pudding mix to make it creamy and lush. Whole milk gives the best flavor and texture.

Heavy whipping cream – Whipped into soft peaks, this becomes the light, fluffy layer that balances all the rich chocolate.

Powdered sugar – Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream so it holds up in the fridge without deflating.

Vanilla extract – Adds warmth and depth to the whipped cream, making each bite taste like homemade dessert, not just store-bought shortcuts.

Toffee bits or chopped chocolate-covered toffee bars – The star mix-in that brings buttery caramel crunch to every layer.

Chocolate sauce or hot fudge (cooled) – Optional, but a drizzle between layers doubles down on the chocolate and makes the trifle look extra indulgent.

How To Make the Chocolate Toffee Trifle

Once your components are ready, assembling the trifle is basically adult dessert Jenga—layer, repeat, chill, and serve. Give yourself time for the brownies to cool and the finished trifle to chill before serving.

Step 1: Bake and Cool the Brownies

Prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions using the eggs, oil, and water. Bake in a 9×13-inch pan until set and fudgy. Let the brownies cool completely, then cut them into 1-inch cubes or crumble them into bite-size pieces.

Step 2: Whisk the Chocolate Pudding

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the instant chocolate pudding mix with cold milk for 2–3 minutes until thick and smooth. Let it sit for a few minutes to finish setting while you prepare the whipped cream.

Step 3: Whip the Cream

In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft, fluffy peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat; you want it pillowy and spreadable, not stiff.

Step 4: Prep the Toffee

Roughly chop any larger chocolate-covered toffee bars into small pieces. Measure out your toffee bits and keep a generous handful aside for a pretty garnish on top.

Step 5: Start Layering the Trifle

Place a layer of brownie cubes in the bottom of a clear trifle dish or large glass bowl. Spoon a layer of chocolate pudding over the brownies, spreading it to the edges. Add a layer of whipped cream, then sprinkle a shower of toffee pieces.

Step 6: Repeat the Layers

Continue layering brownie, pudding, whipped cream, and toffee until you reach the top of the dish. If you’re using chocolate sauce or hot fudge, drizzle a thin ribbon over the brownie or pudding layers as you go.

Step 7: Finish and Chill

End with a thick layer of whipped cream and a generous topping of toffee and brownie crumbs. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight, so the flavors marry and the brownies soften slightly.

Serving and Storing Chocolate Toffee Trifle

This Chocolate Toffee Trifle is designed to feed a party—expect about 10 to 12 generous servings from one standard trifle bowl. It works beautifully on a dessert table because guests can scoop out as much or as little as they like.

Serve the trifle well chilled. For the cleanest scoops, use a deep serving spoon and dig straight down so each portion gets some brownie, pudding, cream, and toffee. If you’re serving outdoors or at a potluck, keep the bowl on a tray of ice or bring it out just before dessert time so the cream stays cool and fluffy.

Leftovers store well. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or an airtight lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The toffee will soften a bit over time, but the flavor stays wonderful. If you’d like to keep some crunch, reserve a handful of toffee bits and sprinkle them over the top just before serving again.

What to Serve With Chocolate Toffee Trifle?

Fresh Berries

A simple bowl of strawberries, raspberries, or mixed berries brings a bright, juicy contrast to all that rich chocolate and caramel.

Hot Coffee or Espresso

Serve with freshly brewed coffee or espresso to cut through the sweetness and make dessert feel like a coffeehouse treat.

Vanilla Ice Cream

If you’re feeding serious dessert lovers, offer small scoops of vanilla ice cream on the side so guests can build their own “trifle à la mode.”

Salted Nuts

A small dish of salted almonds, pecans, or peanuts balances the sweetness and adds extra crunch for anyone who wants it.

Simple Cheese Board

For a more elegant spread, pair the trifle with a light cheese board—think mild cheeses, crackers, and grapes—to give guests a savory option.

Sparkling Water or Dessert Wine

Sparkling water with lemon keeps things refreshing, while a small glass of dessert wine or port can turn this trifle into a special-occasion finale.

Want More Dessert Ideas?

If this Chocolate Toffee Trifle disappears in record time, you might want another crowd-pleasing dessert in your back pocket. Try one of these sweet favorites from Nora Nosh next time you’re planning a get-together:

Magic Lemon Cobbler – A bright, tangy baked dessert with a self-forming crust that’s perfect when you want something citrusy instead of chocolate. https://noranosh.com/magic-lemon-cobbler/
Mississippi Mud Cake – Ultra-fudgy cake topped with marshmallows and chocolate frosting for serious chocoholics. https://noranosh.com/mississippi-mud-cake/
Hot Fudge Sundae Brownie Cheesecake – Layers of brownie, cheesecake, and hot fudge that feel like an upgraded ice cream parlor classic. https://noranosh.com/hot-fudge-sundae-brownie-cheesecake/
Amish Peanut Butter Cream Pie – Silky, nutty, and wonderfully old-fashioned; ideal when you’re craving something rich but not overly chocolatey. https://noranosh.com/amish-peanut-butter-cream-pie/
Peach Cobbler Crumble Bars – Buttery bars with jammy peach filling that pack easily for picnics and potlucks. https://noranosh.com/peach-cobbler-crumble-bars/

Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this Chocolate Toffee Trifle to your Pinterest dessert board so you can find it fast for holidays, birthdays, or last-minute gatherings.

When you make it, come back and share how it went. Did you swap in homemade brownies or keep it simple with a boxed mix? Did you use classic toffee bits or chop up your favorite candy bars on top?

I love hearing how you put your own spin on these desserts. Questions are always welcome too—let’s help each other create stress-free sweets that still feel special.

Explore more beautifully curated treats and everyday recipes on Nora Nosh’s Pinterest page and discover your next favorite dessert: https://www.pinterest.com/noranoshrecipes/.