Chocolate……ahhh….As you can see from my last post, I do love chocolate. The funny thing is I never cared for it much until I had my first baby…then for some reason, I couldn’t get enough of it! I love fruit desserts too, but chocolate ones take the cake! (Yes, cheesy pun intended!) Here is one of my first recipes actually given to me almost sixteen years ago by my good friend Jill. I was in a bind suddenly finding out that I was having my in laws for dinner (for the first time) and I desperately needed a quick dessert recipe. Of course, Jill came to the rescue with this decadent, heavenly, chocolate dessert that has remained one of my husband’s absolute favorites throughout the years!
EDIT 2/6/16: This recipe has changed throughout the years. I used to use boxed brownie mix, instant pudding and cool whip. You can still totally do this, but I have also found making it from scratch is better than ever! It takes a little extra time, but it is so worth it! So, depending on how much time you have, make it to your liking! (If you are REALLY in a pinch, those delicious little pre baked brownie bites work well too!).
- BROWNIES:
- 2 sticks of butter
- 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 3 large eggs
- 1¼ cups flour
- PUDDING:
- 3 tblsp cocoa powder
- 3 tblsp cornstarch
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 3 large egg yolks
- 2½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- WHIPPED CREAM:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- EXTRA:
- Chopped, toasted almonds, butter brickle or chocolate shavings for serving
- TO MAKE BROWNIES:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Layer an 8x8 pan with parchment paper
- In a medium saucepan, melt 2 sticks of butter with the chocolate over low heat until smooth
- Sprinkle in the cocoa powder
- Stir in vanilla and sugar, whisk
- Add eggs, one at a time and whisk vigorously
- Add flour slowly and stir gently to incorporate
- Pour into a prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes or until set
- Let cool and slice into small squares
- TO MAKE PUDDING:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, corn starch and salt.
- Pour the cream in slowly, whisking until nice and smooth.
- Whisk the eggs into the mixture one at a time.
- In a 3 quart saucepan, add the milk and sugar and heat, stirring frequently until sugar is dissolved. Heat to a simmer and watch carefully!
- Do not let the milk boil over.
- Pour a cup of the hot milk mixture into the bowl with the cream, cocoa and cornstarch mixture. Whisk.
- Repeat with a second cup and whisk very quickly.
- Continue with one more cup, repeating the quick whisking process.
- Carefully pour the mixture back into the saucepan.
- Warm over medium heat until it comes to a full boil,carefully making sure it does not boil over.
- Once it is boiling, start your timer for 2½ minutes and whisk vigorously, scraping the bottom.
- Make sure you are careful not to splash the hot mixture out of the pot.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and chocolate.
- Stir gently until chocolate is completely melted.
- Refrigerate in a tightly covered container with plastic wrap layered on top to act as the pudding skin, for three hours or longer.
- TO MAKE WHIPPED CREAM:
- Whisk powdered sugar and vanilla into cream
- Using an electric mixer, beat cream mixture until stiff peaks form.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
- TO ASSEMBLE TRIFLE:
- Place ⅓ of cooled brownie squares on the bottom of a trifle bowl until completely covered
- Pour ⅓ of cooled pudding on top
- Spoon ⅓ of cold whipped cream on top
- Repeat until trifle bowl is filled
- Chill for one hour
- Sprinkle with chopped almonds, chocolate shavings or butter brickle pieces right before serving
VARIATIONS: If you are serving right away, layer in bananas, but please note, trifle must be consumed that day or bananas will start to brown. Also, chocolate cake can be used in place of brownies. Also, a fun variation can be to make them mini trifles. Assemble each trifle in a small, deep, glass dish or drinking glass. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate–pop out of the fridge for a quick dessert!
[…] I am all about brownies. You want a brownie for a decadent dessert? Sure, go ahead and try this delicious brownie recipe. I have your back. Go for it. You want an everyday brownie*? This is your […]