Layer upon layer of chocolatey goodness in this gluten-free brownie toffee trifle! It looks impressive, but it’s an easy dessert to assemble with just a handful of ingredients and minimal hands-on time.
Chewy gluten-free brownie cubes alternate with creamy white chocolate pudding, light whipped cream, and crunchy chocolate-covered Heath toffee bits to create a dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Guests always comment on how special this trifle looks and how well the textures and flavors come together.
The most time-consuming step is baking the gluten-free brownies and allowing them to cool completely before cutting into cubes. For convenience, bake the brownies a day in advance so they set fully and are easier to cut. If you’re short on time, a high-quality boxed gluten-free brownie mix works perfectly well and speeds up the process.
This trifle is highly customizable. If you prefer freshly whipped cream over Cool Whip, make your own whipped topping and fold it into the prepared pudding. You can also swap pudding flavors—white chocolate, cheesecake, or vanilla all work nicely—or prepare pudding from scratch if you’d like.
If convenience is your priority, choose a trusted boxed gluten-free brownie mix. The author often keeps King Arthur Flour’s gluten-free brownie mix on hand as an easy shortcut for desserts like this.
Notes on ingredients and substitutions for this gluten-free brownie toffee trifle:
- The toffee pieces used here are Heath Milk Chocolate English Toffee Bits. If you can’t find the milk chocolate-coated bits, plain toffee bits work equally well. You can also chop whole Heath or Skor bars to reach the amount needed. Both Heath and Skor are listed by their manufacturer as gluten-free products.
- For the pudding, Jell-O White Chocolate Instant Pudding is a good option. Cheesecake or vanilla instant pudding flavors are also delicious. If you prefer, make a homemade pudding instead.
- Whipped topping can be store-bought Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream. Both options have been used successfully and enjoyed by guests.
Is Jell-O instant pudding gluten-free?
Jell-O instant pudding is commonly used in this recipe. While Kraft (the maker of Jell-O) does not publish a single certified gluten-free list for all products, they label ingredients and provide guidance on identifying gluten-containing ingredients. The instant pudding mixes referenced here list corn starch as the thickener, and do not list gluten ingredients. Always read labels before purchasing and contact the manufacturer if you need confirmation for specific dietary requirements.
This trifle makes an impressive dessert for large gatherings. For best presentation, serve it in a clear trifle bowl so the layers are visible. It easily serves around 16 people and is a crowd-pleaser at holiday parties and potlucks.
Make this trifle for your next gathering and expect plenty of compliments. While it may look a bit messy once plated, the flavor is worth it and people often return for seconds.
This recipe is adapted from an old Quick Cooking magazine clipping and has been updated over time. It’s a reliable, make-ahead dessert that travels well and feeds a crowd.
Gluten-free Brownie Trifle Recipe:
Gluten-free Brownie Pudding Toffee Trifle
Layers of chewy gluten-free brownie chunks alternate with white chocolate pudding, whipped cream, and chocolate covered Heath toffee candy pieces to create this pretty gluten-free trifle.
1 hour 30 minutes
35 minutes
2 hours 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 9×13 pan of gluten-free brownies
- 2 1/2 cups cold milk
- 2 small boxes (3.3 oz. each) instant pudding mix (white chocolate or cheesecake flavor)
- 1 carton (8 oz.) Cool Whip whipped topping or homemade whipped cream
- 4 oz. (1/2 bag) Heath English Toffee Bits
Instructions
- Bake a batch of gluten-free brownies (from scratch or a quality boxed mix). Let cool completely and cut into 1″ cubes. You can do this step a day ahead.
- In a large bowl, beat the cold milk and pudding mixes on low speed for 2 minutes. Fold in the whipped topping gently with a rubber spatula until combined.
- In a glass trifle bowl, layer half of the brownie cubes. Spread half of the pudding-whipped topping mixture over the brownies. Sprinkle with half of the Heath toffee bits.
- Repeat the layers once more in the same order.
- Chill the trifle until ready to serve.
Notes
Both store-bought Cool Whip and homemade whipped cream work well. For toffee, use milk-chocolate coated Heath bits, plain toffee bits, or chop whole Heath or Skor bars to reach 4 ounces.
Pin this brownie trifle to your Gluten-free Desserts board on Pinterest:
Originally published January 2014; post and photos updated December 2018.
If you make this gluten-free trifle and enjoy it, please come back and rate the recipe. Comments and substitution tips are welcome.