Desserts have a magical way of bringing people together, and the Snickers Trifle is no exception. A medley of indulgent flavors and textures, this dessert offers something for everyone. With its layers of fluffy chocolate cake, rich chocolate pudding, luscious peanut butter whipped cream, salted caramel, and crunchy Snickers bar pieces, the Snickers Trifle is an unforgettable treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
PrintSnickers Trifle: A Symphony of Decadent Layers
- Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
Ingredients
Chocolate Sheet Cake
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ⅓ cups (266g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (25g) baking cocoa powder
- ¾ tsp baking powder (3g)
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda (9g)
- ½ tsp fine salt (2g)
- ¾ cup (180g) hot water
- 1 ½ tsp instant espresso or coffee powder (3g)
- ½ cup (120g) buttermilk, room temperature
- ⅓ cup (75g) vegetable oil
- ¼ cup (64g) sour cream, room temperature
- 2 large eggs (112g), room temperature
- 1 tsp (4g) vanilla extract
Homemade Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 6 Tbsp (85g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ⅓ cup (80g) heavy cream, room temperature
- ¼ tsp fine salt (2g)
Chocolate Pudding Filling
- 2 (3.9 oz) packages instant chocolate pudding mix
- 4 cups (980g) whole milk
Peanut Butter Whipped Cream
- 1 cup (226g) full-fat cream cheese, cold
- 1 cup (125g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp (4g) vanilla extract
- 2 cups (480g) heavy cream, cold
- ⅓ cup (83g) peanut butter
Additional Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) chopped peanuts
- 2 cups (360g) mini chocolate chips
- 4 fun-sized Snickers bars
Instructions
1. Make the Chocolate Sheet Cake
- Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (162°C) and line a 9×13-inch sheet pan with parchment paper. Spray with nonstick spray.
- Prepare the Batter:
- Whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine hot water with espresso powder, then add buttermilk, vegetable oil, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 32–37 minutes, rotating halfway through. Let the cake cool, then cut it into 1-inch cubes.
2. Prepare the Caramel Sauce
- Melt the Sugar: Gradually add the sugar to a medium pot over medium heat, allowing it to melt and deepen in color.
- Add Butter: Mix in the butter slowly, a couple of tablespoons at a time, until fully incorporated.
- Finish with Cream: Remove from heat and whisk in the cream and salt. Let cool before using.
3. Make the Chocolate Pudding
- Whisk the pudding mix with cold milk in a large bowl until smooth.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator until set.
4. Whip Up the Peanut Butter Cream
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and mix until combined.
- Gradually add vanilla and heavy cream, whipping until soft peaks form.
- Fold in the peanut butter and whip briefly until thickened. Be careful not to overmix.
Notes
- First Layer: Begin with a layer of chocolate cake cubes at the bottom of your trifle dish or individual cups.
- Second Layer: Spoon a layer of chocolate pudding over the cake.
- Third Layer: Spread a generous layer of peanut butter whipped cream.
- Fourth Layer: Drizzle caramel sauce, then sprinkle chopped peanuts, mini chocolate chips, and Snickers pieces.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layers until the dish is full, ending with whipped cream.
- Garnish: Top with a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel, and a slice of Snickers.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
Why You’ll Love This Snickers Trifle
The beauty of this dessert lies not only in its irresistible taste but also in its versatility and visual appeal. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, celebrating a special occasion, or simply craving something sweet, the Snickers Trifle checks every box:
- Show-Stopping Presentation: Served in a glass trifle dish or individual cups, the layers of chocolate, caramel, and cream create a stunning visual that’s almost too beautiful to eat.
- Rich and Decadent Flavors: This dessert is a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and nutty, with the Snickers bars adding a nostalgic twist.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The components can be prepared in advance, making it an ideal dessert for busy hosts.
- Customizable: Adjust the ingredients to suit dietary preferences or experiment with creative variations to make this recipe your own.
Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of creating this masterpiece, starting with a breakdown of the ingredients.
Ingredients for Snickers Trifle
Here’s what you’ll need to create this decadent dessert:
Chocolate Sheet Cake
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ⅓ cups (266g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (25g) baking cocoa powder
- ¾ tsp baking powder (3g)
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda (9g)
- ½ tsp fine salt (2g)
- ¾ cup (180g) hot water
- 1 ½ tsp instant espresso or coffee powder (3g)
- ½ cup (120g) buttermilk, room temperature
- ⅓ cup (75g) vegetable oil
- ¼ cup (64g) sour cream, room temperature
- 2 large eggs (112g), room temperature
- 1 tsp (4g) vanilla extract
Homemade Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 6 Tbsp (85g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ⅓ cup (80g) heavy cream, room temperature
- ¼ tsp fine salt (2g)
Chocolate Pudding Filling
- 2 (3.9 oz) packages instant chocolate pudding mix
- 4 cups (980g) whole milk
Peanut Butter Whipped Cream
- 1 cup (226g) full-fat cream cheese, cold
- 1 cup (125g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp (4g) vanilla extract
- 2 cups (480g) heavy cream, cold
- ⅓ cup (83g) peanut butter
Additional Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) chopped peanuts
- 2 cups (360g) mini chocolate chips
- 4 fun-sized Snickers bars
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Chocolate Sheet Cake
- Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (162°C) and line a 9×13-inch sheet pan with parchment paper. Spray with nonstick spray.
- Prepare the Batter:
- Whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine hot water with espresso powder, then add buttermilk, vegetable oil, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 32–37 minutes, rotating halfway through. Let the cake cool, then cut it into 1-inch cubes.
2. Prepare the Caramel Sauce
- Melt the Sugar: Gradually add the sugar to a medium pot over medium heat, allowing it to melt and deepen in color.
- Add Butter: Mix in the butter slowly, a couple of tablespoons at a time, until fully incorporated.
- Finish with Cream: Remove from heat and whisk in the cream and salt. Let cool before using.
3. Make the Chocolate Pudding
- Whisk the pudding mix with cold milk in a large bowl until smooth.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator until set.
4. Whip Up the Peanut Butter Cream
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and mix until combined.
- Gradually add vanilla and heavy cream, whipping until soft peaks form.
- Fold in the peanut butter and whip briefly until thickened. Be careful not to overmix.
Assembling the Snickers Trifle
Now comes the fun part: layering!
- First Layer: Begin with a layer of chocolate cake cubes at the bottom of your trifle dish or individual cups.
- Second Layer: Spoon a layer of chocolate pudding over the cake.
- Third Layer: Spread a generous layer of peanut butter whipped cream.
- Fourth Layer: Drizzle caramel sauce, then sprinkle chopped peanuts, mini chocolate chips, and Snickers pieces.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layers until the dish is full, ending with whipped cream.
- Garnish: Top with a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel, and a slice of Snickers.
Flavor Profile
Each bite of this Snickers Trifle is a flavor explosion:
- Chocolate Cake: Soft and moist with a deep cocoa flavor.
- Chocolate Pudding: Silky and rich, balancing the dense cake.
- Peanut Butter Cream: Light and fluffy with a nutty sweetness.
- Caramel Sauce: Sweet with a hint of salt, tying the layers together.
- Snickers & Peanuts: Crunchy, chewy, and oh-so-satisfying.
Tips for Success
- Avoid Overmixing: Especially with the whipped cream, to maintain its fluffy texture.
- Plan Ahead: Prepare components like the cake and caramel in advance for easier assembly.
- Customize: Swap Snickers for other candy bars, or use almond butter for a twist.
- Use Glassware: A clear dish highlights the layers beautifully.
Serving Suggestions
- For Gatherings: Assemble in a large trifle bowl for a dramatic presentation.
- For Individual Servings: Use small glasses or mason jars for easy portioning.
- Pairings: Serve with a strong cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk to complement the sweetness.
Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix.
- Dairy-Free: Substitute plant-based cream and milk.
- Nut-Free: Replace peanuts and Snickers with nut-free candies and chocolate chips.
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: Assemble the trifle up to a day in advance. Cover tightly with plastic wrap to keep fresh.
- Leftovers: Store in the fridge for up to three days. Note that the whipped cream may lose some structure over time.
The Perfect Dessert for Any Occasion
From birthdays to casual family dinners, this Snickers Trifle is guaranteed to impress. The combination of homemade components and familiar candy bar flavors creates a dessert that feels both special and nostalgic. Serve it up and watch as your guests’ eyes light up with delight!
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, this Snickers Trifle is your answer. Give it a try, and don’t forget to share your creation on social media using #SnickersTrifleLove! 😊
A Sweet Finale: Why Snickers Trifle is a Must-Try
The Snickers Trifle is more than just a dessert—it’s an experience. With every spoonful, you’re treated to a medley of textures and flavors: soft chocolate cake, velvety pudding, fluffy peanut butter cream, and crunchy Snickers pieces. The sweet and salty notes, paired with the richness of caramel and chocolate, make it a treat that satisfies every craving.
Whether you’re making it for a special celebration or simply to indulge your sweet tooth, this trifle is guaranteed to impress. Easy to customize, fun to assemble, and utterly delicious, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser. So grab your trifle dish, layer up, and let the magic unfold. Happy indulging! 🥰🍫✨