Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cream Trifle Recipe

If you’re a fan of rich, creamy desserts, this Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cream Trifle is about to become your new favorite treat. With layers of moist chocolate cake, velvety peanut butter mousse, fresh banana slices, and whipped cream, this trifle is the ultimate indulgence. It’s perfect for parties, family gatherings, or any time you’re craving a decadent dessert that combines all your favorite flavors—chocolate, peanut butter, and banana. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to make and assemble! Read on for the complete recipe, tips, and tricks to make this show-stopping dessert.

this Recipe

What is a Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cream Trifle?

A Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cream Trifle is a layered dessert made with alternating layers of rich chocolate cake, smooth peanut butter mousse, fresh banana slices, and whipped cream, all assembled in a large glass trifle dish or individual serving bowls. The combination of flavors and textures—from the soft cake to the creamy mousse and fresh bananas—makes each bite a delicious treat. This no-bake dessert can be made ahead of time, making it perfect for entertaining or prepping in advance for a special occasion.

Ingredients List for Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cream Trifle

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this delicious dessert. You can use store-bought items to make things easier, or prepare everything from scratch for a more homemade touch!

For the Chocolate Cake:

• 1 box of chocolate cake mix (or your favorite homemade chocolate cake recipe)
• Ingredients required for the cake mix (usually eggs, oil, and water)

For the Peanut Butter Mousse:

• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Banana Cream Layer:

• 4-5 ripe bananas, sliced into rounds
• 2 cups vanilla pudding (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Whipped Cream:

• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Toppings:

• Chocolate shavings
• Crushed peanut butter cups or mini peanut butter cups
• Chocolate syrup drizzle
• Crushed graham crackers or chocolate cookies

Substitutions and Variations

• Cake Options: Instead of chocolate cake, you can use brownies or chocolate cookies (such as Oreos) for a different texture.
• Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut cream in place of heavy cream and a dairy-free chocolate cake or brownies for a vegan or lactose-free version.
• Banana Pudding: You can swap vanilla pudding with banana pudding for an even more intense banana flavor.
• Peanut Butter Variation: For a crunchy twist, use chunky peanut butter in the mousse, or swirl in a bit of Nutella for a peanut butter-chocolate hazelnut combination.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Now that you have your ingredients, let’s get started on making this delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cream Trifle.

Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Cake

If you’re using a boxed chocolate cake mix, follow the package instructions to bake the cake. Typically, you’ll need to mix the cake batter with eggs, oil, and water and then bake it in a 9x13-inch pan at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes. Once baked, allow the cake to cool completely before cutting it into cubes for layering.

Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Mousse

While the cake is baking and cooling, prepare the peanut butter mousse. In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream using an electric mixer until soft peaks form. In a separate bowl, beat together the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gently fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture until fully combined and light. Set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Banana Cream Layer

Slice your bananas into thin rounds, about ¼ inch thick. In a bowl, mix the vanilla pudding with vanilla extract (if not already flavored). You can use store-bought pudding for convenience, or make your own homemade vanilla pudding for a richer flavor.

Step 4: Make the Whipped Cream

In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This whipped cream will be used as a topping between the layers and for the top of the trifle.

Step 5: Assemble the Trifle

Now comes the fun part—layering your trifle! Whether you’re using a large trifle dish or individual serving cups, follow this layering sequence:

1. Layer 1: Chocolate Cake
   Crumble or cut the chocolate cake into cubes and place an even layer at the bottom of your trifle dish.
2. Layer 2: Peanut Butter Mousse
   Spread a generous layer of peanut butter mousse over the cake, ensuring it covers the cake layer evenly.
3. Layer 3: Banana Slices
   Arrange a layer of banana slices over the peanut butter mousse.
4. Layer 4: Vanilla Pudding
   Add a layer of vanilla pudding on top of the bananas.
5. Layer 5: Whipped Cream
   Spread a thick layer of whipped cream over the vanilla pudding.
6. Repeat Layers: Depending on the size of your dish, repeat the layers of cake, mousse, bananas, pudding, and whipped cream until you reach the top of your trifle dish.

Step 6: Add Toppings

For a truly decadent finish, sprinkle the top of your trifle with crushed peanut butter cups, chocolate shavings, or crushed cookies. You can also drizzle some chocolate syrup for extra sweetness and decoration.

Step 7: Chill the Trifle

Refrigerate the assembled trifle for at least 2-4 hours, or overnight if possible, to allow the flavors to meld together and for the layers to firm up slightly.

How to Make a Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cream Trifle: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Bake the Chocolate Cake: Follow the instructions to bake and cool your chocolate cake.
2. Prepare the Mousse and Pudding: Make the peanut butter mousse, slice the bananas, and prepare the vanilla pudding.
3. Whip the Cream: Whip up fresh cream to add between layers and as a topping.
4. Layer the Trifle: Layer the trifle starting with chocolate cake, followed by mousse, banana slices, pudding, and whipped cream. Repeat layers until the dish is full.
5. Decorate and Chill: Add your favorite toppings and chill in the fridge to allow the dessert to set before serving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Over-whipping the Whipped Cream: Be careful not to over-whip the heavy cream for the mousse or topping, as it can become grainy and turn into butter. Stop whipping as soon as you see stiff peaks form.
• Too-Warm Cake: Ensure the chocolate cake is completely cool before layering it into the trifle. If the cake is too warm, it can melt the mousse and whipped cream.
• Using Overripe Bananas: Use bananas that are ripe but still firm. Overripe bananas can become mushy in the layers, which can affect the texture of your trifle.

Serving and Presentation Tips

This trifle is as beautiful as it is delicious, and the way you serve it can take it to the next level. Here are some tips to present your trifle beautifully.

How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cream Trifle:

• Spoon into Glasses: Use a large spoon to scoop out portions of the trifle, ensuring each serving gets all the layers. For an extra fancy touch, serve the trifle in individual parfait glasses or mason jars.
• Serve with Extra Toppings: Offer extra chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, or even more peanut butter cups for guests to sprinkle on top of their trifle.

Presentation Ideas for Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cream Trifle:

• Layer Carefully: Use a piping bag or zip-top bag with a corner snipped off to pipe the mousse and whipped cream layers for a cleaner, neater presentation.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle chocolate syrup or melted chocolate over the top layer for a dramatic, rich look.
• Decorative Toppings: Top the final layer of whipped cream with a few slices of banana, peanut butter cups, and chocolate shavings to create a beautiful, eye-catching finish.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cream Trifle Recipe Tips

• Make Ahead: You can prepare this trifle a day in advance, allowing the flavors to meld together even better. Just wait to add the banana slices and any decorative toppings until just before serving.
• Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the amount of sugar in the whipped cream or peanut butter mousse, as the cake and pudding will already add plenty of sweetness.
• Layer Variation: For a fun twist, try layering in some crushed graham crackers or chocolate cookies for added texture between the layers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I make this trifle ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the entire trifle up to a day in advance. Store it in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap. Just wait to add the final banana slices or any delicate toppings until right before serving to keep them fresh.

2. How long will the trifle last in the fridge?

The trifle will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the bananas may brown slightly after a day, so for the freshest presentation, it’s best served within 24 hours.

3. Can I use other fruits instead of bananas?

Absolutely! If bananas aren’t your thing, you can substitute with fresh strawberries, raspberries, or even sliced peaches for a different flavor combination.

4. Can I use pre-made pudding and whipped cream?

Yes! Store-bought pudding and whipped cream are great time-savers. While homemade whipped cream and pudding add a richer flavor, pre-made options work perfectly if you're in a hurry.

Conclusion

This Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cream Trifle is a mouthwatering combination of rich chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter mousse, fresh bananas, and luscious whipped cream. Whether you're making it for a special occasion or just a fun weekend treat, this trifle is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone who tastes it. With layers of flavor and texture, this no-bake dessert is as easy to assemble as it is delicious to eat. Now it's time to grab your ingredients and start layering your way to dessert perfection!

Print