One chilly March afternoon, I stood in my cozy kitchen surrounded by green sprinkles, whipped cream, and a faint scent of cocoa lingering in the air. My granddaughter had just come home from school with a bright green shamrock pin stuck to her backpack and a proud little grin on her face.

“Grandma,” she said, “can we make something green?” And just like that, I was reminded of a dessert I once prepared for a small St. Patrick’s Day gathering at our old church potluck.

Back then, the idea was simple: combine my husband’s love for chocolate with the minty flavor my students always requested when we baked in class. I remember layering chunks of brownies into an old glass punch bowl, hoping the whipped cream wouldn’t sink. It didn’t. The bowl was empty by the end of the night. That dessert became a quiet tradition in my family—rich chocolate brownies, cool mint cream, and velvety pudding—all tucked into one glass dish that invited everyone to dig in together.

Now that I’ve retired from teaching, I find so much joy in recreating those familiar treats and passing them down. I believe food has a way of capturing moments—messy counters, laughter, the silence of second servings. This brownie trifle may look whimsical, but every spoonful carries memory and warmth. Let me show you how I make it, step by step.

Short Description

This festive brownie trifle layers rich chocolate brownies, cool mint whipped cream, and creamy chocolate pudding for a decadent dessert that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. Easy to assemble and always a crowd-pleaser.

Key Ingredients

For the Brownie Layer:

1 batch homemade or store-bought brownies, cut into bite-sized cubes
(Optional) Green food coloring to tint the brownie batter

For the Mint Cream Layer:

1 cup heavy whipping cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ tsp peppermint extract
Green food coloring, optional

For the Chocolate Pudding Layer:

1 (3.9 oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups cold milk

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract

For Garnish:

Crushed chocolate cookies (Oreos or chocolate graham crackers)
Chocolate shavings or sprinkles
Mini chocolate coins or shamrock candies, optional

Tools Needed

Electric mixer or hand whisk
Large mixing bowls (x3)
Measuring cups and spoons
Trifle dish or individual glasses
Rubber spatula
Piping bag (optional)

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Brownies
Bake a pan of brownies according to your preferred recipe or box mix instructions. Once baked, let them cool completely. Slice into bite-sized cubes—roughly 1-inch squares—for layering. Cold brownies cut much cleaner, so chilling them slightly is helpful.

Step 2: Make the Mint Cream Layer
In a large mixing bowl, whip 2 cups of heavy cream with 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract. Beat until stiff peaks form. If you’d like a festive green hue, fold in 2–3 drops of green food coloring gently with a spatula until the color is evenly distributed.

Step 3: Prepare the Chocolate Pudding
In a separate bowl, whisk together the chocolate pudding mix and cold milk. Beat for 2–3 minutes until it thickens. Place in the fridge for 5 minutes to set further.

Step 4: Assemble the Trifle
Begin with a generous layer of brownie cubes on the bottom of your trifle dish. Next, spoon a layer of chocolate pudding over the brownies.

Then, spread or pipe a layer of mint whipped cream. Repeat the layering: brownies, pudding, and mint cream, until the dish is filled. Finish with a layer of mint cream on top.

Step 5: Make the Whipped Cream Topping
In a clean mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of heavy cream with 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whip until stiff peaks form. Pipe or spoon this over the final layer of mint cream.

Step 6: Garnish & Chill
Top with crushed cookies, green sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or chocolate coins. Chill for at least 1–2 hours before serving to let all the layers settle and flavors blend.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive & Fun – A perfect showstopper for St. Paddy’s parties

Easy to Make – No baking from scratch required (unless you want to!)

Make-Ahead Friendly – Even better after a few hours in the fridge

Flavor Contrast – Rich chocolate balanced by cool mint cream

Customizable – Easily adjusted to taste or dietary needs

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

1. Cutting warm brownies
Problem: They crumble and lose shape.
Solution: Chill brownies before slicing for neat cubes.

2. Overbeating whipped cream
Problem: It turns grainy or even becomes butter.
Solution: Stop whipping as soon as stiff peaks form. Keep a close eye in the final minute.

3. Too much food coloring
Problem: The cream turns an unappetizing shade.
Solution: Start with 1–2 drops, gently fold, and adjust gradually.

4. Pudding too runny
Problem: It doesn’t hold layers.
Solution: Chill the pudding for at least 5 minutes after mixing before layering.

5. Not chilling the final trifle
Problem: Flavors don’t meld and layers may shift.
Solution: Chill for a minimum of 1–2 hours, overnight if possible.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve in a large trifle bowl for potlucks or layer into mason jars or glasses for individual portions.

Great after a hearty Irish dinner—think corned beef and cabbage or shepherd’s pie.

Pair with coffee, Irish cream liqueur, or mint hot chocolate for an indulgent touch.

Serve family-style on a buffet or plated with an extra mint sprig on top.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Storage: Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Freezing: Not recommended—the whipped cream and pudding don’t thaw well.

Make Ahead: You can prepare all components a day ahead and assemble a few hours before serving.

Reheating: No reheating needed—serve chilled.

FAQs

1. Can I make this trifle the night before?
Yes! In fact, it tastes even better after sitting overnight. Just add the whipped cream topping and garnishes the next day before serving.

2. Can I use fresh whipped cream instead of store-bought?
Absolutely. Homemade whipped cream tastes better and gives you control over sweetness.

3. What can I substitute for peppermint extract?
You can use spearmint extract, or for a more subtle flavor, a tiny splash of vanilla extract and omit the mint entirely.

4. What if I don’t have a trifle dish?
Use any deep glass bowl or layer into cups, jars, or wine glasses for individual servings.

5. Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes. Just use gluten-free brownies and check that your pudding mix and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Tips & Tricks

Use a serrated knife for cutting brownies cleanly.

Chill your mixing bowl and beaters before whipping cream—it helps it whip faster.

To pipe whipped cream neatly, use a star-tip for a bakery-style look.

For a crunchier texture contrast, add chopped Andes mints or crushed Thin Mints between layers.

Don’t press the layers down; let them sit lightly so the cream stays fluffy.

Recipe Variations

1. Chocolate-Mocha Trifle

Swap peppermint extract with 1 tsp espresso powder.

Add a mocha drizzle between layers.

Flavor Profile: Rich, slightly bitter, sophisticated.

2. Grasshopper Trifle

Use crème de menthe (1 tbsp) instead of peppermint extract in the mint cream layer.

Layer in chopped chocolate mint candies.

Flavor Profile: Classic cocktail dessert feel.

3. Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

Replace the mint cream layer with peanut butter whipped cream (whip cream with 3 tbsp peanut butter and 1 tbsp honey).

Add crushed peanut butter cups between layers.

Flavor Profile: Sweet, salty, nutty.

4. Lighter Version

Use low-fat pudding mix and reduced-fat whipped topping.

Choose a lighter brownie recipe or use angel food cake cubes instead.

Flavor Profile: Still satisfying with fewer calories.

Final Thoughts

Baking this trifle never feels like a chore—it’s more like a celebration in a bowl. It blends everything I love about dessert: texture, color, flavor, and the joy it brings to a table. Watching people dig in with a smile (and sometimes a sneaky second helping) reminds me why I continue to share these recipes. This dish isn’t just green for the holiday—it’s rich with family tradition and moments that matter.

And even if your layers aren’t perfect, that’s the beauty of a trifle—it’s forgiving, fuss-free, and full of charm. Each spoonful holds a bit of magic, especially when it’s shared. So don your apron, pull out the glass bowl, and let this St. Patrick’s Day Brownie Trifle bring a little luck and a lot of sweetness into your kitchen.

Happy baking, from my family to yours.

St. Patrick’s Day Brownie Trifle

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Nutrition facts: calories fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

For the Brownie Layer:
1 batch homemade or store-bought brownies, cut into bite-sized cubes
(Optional) Green food coloring to tint the brownie batter
For the Mint Cream Layer:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
¼ cup powdered sugar
½ tsp peppermint extract
Green food coloring, optional
For the Chocolate Pudding Layer:
1 (3.9 oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups cold milk
For the Whipped Cream Topping:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp powdered sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
For Garnish:
Crushed chocolate cookies (Oreos or chocolate graham crackers)
Chocolate shavings or sprinkles
Mini chocolate coins or shamrock candies, optional

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Brownies
Bake brownies from a box or favorite recipe. Cool completely, then cut into 1-inch cubes. For cleaner cuts, chill before slicing.

Step 2: Make the Mint Cream Layer
Whip 2 cups heavy cream with 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 tsp peppermint extract until stiff peaks form. Fold in 2–3 drops of green food coloring, if desired.

Step 3: Prepare the Chocolate Pudding
Whisk chocolate pudding mix with cold milk for 2–3 minutes until thick. Refrigerate for 5 minutes to set.

Step 4: Assemble the Trifle
Layer brownie cubes, chocolate pudding, and mint cream in a trifle dish. Repeat layers until full, ending with mint cream on top.

Step 5: Make the Whipped Cream Topping
Whip 1 cup heavy cream with 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Add over the top layer.

Step 6: Garnish & Chill
Top with crushed cookies, sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or coins. Chill for 1–2 hours before serving.