Death by Chocolate

Death by Chocolate trifle is pure chocolatey decadence! This dessert stacks layers of fudgy brownie, sweet chocolate pudding, chocolate toffee bits, Cool Whip, and chocolate chips. Then, we finish it off with a chocolate sauce drizzle! What more could you want?!

Pin this recipe now to save it for later

This trifle-like dessert is incredibly easy to make. Simply prepare the individual layers in one go or in advance. Then, assemble, and adjust as you desire.

Like most layered desserts, this Death by Chocolate trifle can incorporate your favorite or preferred ingredients. Feel free to incorporate additional ingredients. Some of my favorites include caramel sauce, other chopped candy, a bit of liqueur, and an endless choice of toppings from fresh berries to chocolate shavings!

close up image of death by chocolate in a glass trifle.

Death by Chocolate Recipe

Using box brownie mix and instant chocolate pudding adds convenience and ease to this recipe. Once these first two dessert layer elements have been made, the fun really begins! All it takes is about five minutes to layer your ingredients. Then, the only hard part is waiting for the treat to chill!

Truly mouthwatering, this chocolate trifle is moist, fudgy, sweet, and creamy all at once. Plus, it features crunchy pieces of toffee bits, chocolate chips, and chocolate sauce for extra texture and flavor! Enjoy this dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or as-is.

While I love the look of this Death by Chocolate trifle in a large glass, you could make cute single-portion trifles like this Mocha Brownie Trifle. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, other special occasions, or whenever you have an intense chocolate craving!

Ingredients for Death by Chocolate

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Brownie layer – Use any brand of box chocolate brownie mix you prefer, and be sure to have the extra ingredients that it calls for. My brownie mix calls for eggs, vegetable oil, and milk.
Chocolate pudding layer – Use instant chocolate pudding combined with cold milk.
Assembly ingredients – I use Health Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits, Cool Whip, chocolate sauce, and chocolate chips when layering the dessert.

Variations

Add some instant coffee to the brownie batter for a more intense flavor!
Homemade whipped cream can be used instead of Cool Whip.
Chocolate mousse is a great alternative to instant chocolate pudding.
Use chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups and other favorite candy instead of the toffee bits. Chopped Oreo cookies would also make a delicious layering ingredient. Or, use them as a topping for extra chocolatey flavor and a crunchy texture!
Caramel sauce, peanut butter drizzle, fudge sauce, or butterscotch are all welcome additions when topping this trifle.
You can assemble this dessert in a 9×13-inch baking pan instead of a large punch bowl or trifle glass, but the pan will only allow for a single layer of each dessert element as it’s much wider.
Chocolate cake mix can be used instead of chocolate brownies, although I love the denser brownie version!
Other toppings could include fresh berries and chocolate shavings.

top down image of a large trifle glass with cool whip layer and layered on top with brownie crumble bites.

top down image of a large trifle glass with chocolate pudding layer.

How to Make Death by Chocolate

Prepare: Preheat the oven, and grease the baking pan.
Make the brownies: Combine the ingredients for the brownie layer, and pour the mixture evenly into the pan. Bake the brownies for 25 minutes. You know they’re done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean! Set the brownies aside to cool in the pan.
Make the chocolate pudding: Combine the instant pudding with the cold mix while the brownies bake. Once smooth and thick, chill the pudding in the fridge until ready to assemble the dessert.
Assemble the dessert: Crumble half of the brownies into the bottom of a large punch bowl or trifle glass, allowing a mixture of large pieces and crumbs. Spread half of the pudding across the brownie layer, followed by a sprinkling of 1/2 cup of toffee bits. Next, spread half of the Cool Whip over the toffee bits.
Repeat: Repeat the above step with brownies, pudding, toffee bits, and Cool Whip.
Chill and add topping: Chill the trifle in the fridge. Just before serving, top the trifle with extra chocolate chips, toffee bits, and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

ceramic dish with death by chocolate dessert.

Quick Tip

This Death by Chocolate trifle does very well when left for a few hours in the fridge to chill before serving. It allows the layered ingredients to settle and meld together, creating a cohesive flavor!

How to Store Death by Chocolate

Cover the trifle glass with plastic, or store any leftover trifle in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. I don’t recommend freezing this trifle dessert as the texture could change!

Serving Suggestions

This decadent trifle is a complete dessert on its own. However, you can also enjoy it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.

FAQs

What is death by chocolate made of?

Death by chocolate desserts typically use ingredients, such as chocolate cake mix or brownie mix, chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and chocolate chips. They can also feature other decadent chocolate add-ins depending on personal preference.

Why do they call it death by chocolate?

The name itself stirs up images and feelings of decadent over-indulgence, almost to the point of no return! Chocolate is closely associated with passion and romance, which can have a darker side. But trust me, there’s nothing sinister about this dessert. It’s pure enjoyment!

Should a trifle be made the night before?

Trifles do well when prepared in advance and allowed to chill overnight. The flavors in the different layers start to mingle for greater intensity and harmony.

What order do you layer a trifle?

This depends on the type of trifle and your personal preference. You get to choose whether you’d prefer a sturdy cake/brownie base at the bottom or a creamy layer. There’s no right or wrong!