Brownie Trifle {SECRET RECIPE CLUB}

It's almost time for my 3-week Family Vacation & Road trip to drive my twin daughters from California (where we live) to Missouri (where they will be going to college for the next 4 years). WOW! That seems like a long time when you say it out loud. I know there are crazy emotions running wild and although a tear or two will be shed, I am SO excited for them and SO thrilled that they get this amazing opportunity. I can't wait to see what God has planned for their young adult lives. And plus I already warned them that I will be visiting once a month.

I can't believe Secret Recipe Club; Group C is already here again, it seems like just yesterday when I wrote last month's post. This is my 15th post for the Secret Recipe Club and I love searching through my secret blog for a recipe. You should see the 10 plus recipes I picked out from this blogger, and YES they were ALL chocolate or sweet related. And YES, I am sure I will be making all 10 of them at some time or another. 

When I am sent my blog assignment, I always jump right over and check it out. Of course, I start pinning everything that I would LOVE to make. My secret blog this month is Hugs and Cookies XOXO. You should see all the AMAZING sweet things she makes, here are just a few on my to-do list Homemade Peanut Butter Twix, Reese's Peanut Butter Cupcakes, and for my daughter GLUTEN-FREE Marshmallow Toffee White Chocolate Cookies, WOW! WOW! I will be making two of these this week I know, for sure! But, let's get onto the recipe I did make for today (please ignore the Christmas bell shaped Reese's I bought for half-price and still had in my cupboard). 

Although I LOVE LOVE Rolo's (which the original recipe called for), my kids LOVE LOVE Peanut Butter (and I am thrifty and like to use stuff I have on-hand) and I love taking pre-made mixes and turning them into a homemade dessert the original recipe called for Homemade Caramel, Homemade Whipping Cream and Homemade Brownies, and in my next life I would LOVE to make it all from scratch, but this time I totally cheated, I hope you all don't mind. It still tasted FANTASTIC Out-of-This World Delicious!

Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

I adapted this recipe to add in our favorite Peanut Butter EVERYTHING!
original recipe found at Hugs and Cookies XOXO

1 fudge brownie mix; bake as directed

2 packages (13 oz) peanut butter cups

2 packages (5.1 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix; make as directed on pkg with milk

1 cup peanut butter

4 tsp vanilla extract

3 cartons (8 oz) Cool Whip topping, thawed

Prepare brownie batter according to package directions; (stir in peanut butter chips or chocolate chips if desired or buy the brownie mix with chocolate chunks). Bake in a greased baking pan according to directions on package. (do not overbake). Cool on a wire rack; cut into small pieces.

Cut peanut butter cups in half; set aside 1/3 cup for garnish. In a large bowl, make pudding according to package. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Add peanut butter and vanilla; mix well. Fold in 1-1/2 cartons Cool Whip topping. (Instead of using plain Cool Whip we wanted to make it more Peanut Butter'y)

Place a third of the brownies in a 5-qt. glass bowl; top with a third of the remaining peanut butter cups. Spoon a third of the Cool Whip pudding mixture over the top. Repeat layers twice. Cover with remaining whipped topping; garnish with reserved peanut butter cups. Refrigerate until chilled.

Here is a list of my past Secret Recipe Club recipes:

• Blueberry Muffins (Gluten-Free)
• Bean Roll-Up (extra post)
• Cucumber Salad
• Raspberry & Nutella Pizza (extra post)
• Pioneer Woman's Chicken Pot Pie 
• Frozen Breakfast Burritos
• Pink Pearl Applesauce (crock-pot)
• Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cake (extra post)
• Cake Mix Cinnamon Chip Brownies
• Sweet and Smokey Roasted Cauliflower
• Cheesy Bacon Ranch Dip
• Trail Mix Cookies
• Creamy Noodles
• German Chocolate Cracker Candy