If you’re looking for a festive treat that will steal the show this season, St. Patrick’s Day Brownie Trifle is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. This decadent dessert hits all the right notes with rich, fudgy brownie cubes, silky vanilla pudding tinted the perfect shade of green, cool whipped topping, and a sprinkling of minty cookies for crunch. Every layer is a party of texture and flavor, making it a go-to treat for your holiday celebration (or anytime you’re craving something fun, colorful, and totally irresistible)! The best part? St shines as a make-ahead marvel that’s almost as easy as it is impressive—which means you get to soak up the compliments without spending all day in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
-
Brownie Layer:
- 1 box (18–19 ounces) brownie mix, plus ingredients listed on package
Pudding Layer:
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- Green food coloring
Additional Layers and Garnish:
- 8 ounces whipped topping (thawed)
- 1 cup crushed mint sandwich cookies (such as Oreos)
- Optional garnish: green sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or extra cookies
How to Make St
Step 1: Bake the Brownies
Start your St masterpiece with irresistibly rich brownies. Prepare the brownie mix according to the directions on the box using the eggs, oil, and water specified. Bake in a 9×13-inch pan, then let the brownies cool completely. Don’t rush this—cooling ensures clean cuts and keeps the cubes from falling apart. Once they’re fully cooled, cut the brownies into 1-inch cubes. This will help every spoonful have a perfect proportion of chewy, fudgy goodness.
Step 2: Make the Green Pudding
Now for the luscious, creamy layer that’s St all the way! In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk for about 2 minutes until it thickens up wonderfully. Add green food coloring, a couple of drops at a time, until you reach that iconic, cheerful hue. If you want to really play with holiday spirit, make it as vibrant or as subtle as you like! Gently fold in half of the whipped topping to make your pudding layer extra smooth and light.
Step 3: Crush the Mint Cookies
The minty cookies tuck into this trifle as a nod to all things bright and fresh on St. Place the cookies in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin or just your hands for a mix of chunky and fine bits. The texture will add a fun crunch while the mint flavor subtly works its magic between layers.
Step 4: Layer the Trifle
Find your biggest, prettiest trifle bowl (or even a clear glass salad bowl will do). Start by layering half of the brownie cubes on the bottom. Add half of your lovely green pudding, smoothing it out with a spatula. Sprinkle over half of the crushed mint cookies. Repeat the layers: brownies, pudding, cookies. Finish with the remaining whipped topping, spreading it evenly all over the top for a cloud-like finish. Each layer stands on its own but together, creates a mesmerizing, festive effect for St.
Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches and Chill
Now comes the fun part! Garnish the top with green sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or even a few extra cookies. This is when St really comes to life. Once decorated, pop the trifle in the fridge for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). Chilling melds the flavors and ensures every bite is perfectly cool and creamy.
How to Serve St
Garnishes
Let your creativity shine by adding generous shakes of green sprinkles, delicate curls of chocolate, or playful bits of extra mint cookies right before serving. Not only does this make St look completely irresistible, but it gives each serving that delightful little crunch and pop of color.
Side Dishes
While St is a star on its own, it also pairs beautifully with lighter accompaniments like fresh-cut fruit or a zippy citrus salad. If you’re serving after a big holiday meal, consider balancing all that decadence with a hot cup of Irish coffee or some fragrant mint tea for an extra festive touch.
Creative Ways to Present
Have fun with the presentation! Serve St in individual mason jars or tall glasses for grab-and-go portions at a party, or use a big family-style bowl for guests to dig in and help themselves. You can even make miniature versions in clear shot glasses for a dessert buffet—layers still look stunning (and taste just as good) in any size.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover St is your future self’s lucky day! Simply cover the trifle bowl tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge; the flavors actually get even better as they mingle. Your brownies might soften a bit, but the creamy, chocolaty magic remains delicious for up to two days.
Freezing
Freezing St isn’t recommended, as the pudding and whipped topping tend to separate and lose their fluffy texture once thawed. If you absolutely need to freeze it, keep each component separate and assemble just before serving—but for best results, enjoy this beauty freshly made and well-chilled.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat St since it’s best served cold and creamy. If it’s been in the fridge a while, just give it a few minutes at room temperature before scooping. That brings the rich flavors to the forefront and makes serving a breeze.
FAQs
Can I make St ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, St benefits from a little fridge time—just assemble the night before, cover, and keep chilled until you’re ready to wow your guests. The flavors meld together beautifully as it chills.
What’s the best way to cut brownies for layering?
Let the brownies cool completely, then use a sharp knife (or even a plastic knife!) to cut clean, even squares. If they’re extra fudgy, chill the pan before cutting to get neat, perfect cubes for your St layers.
Can I use homemade brownies or pudding?
Definitely! Homemade brownies or scratch-made pudding will make St even more special. Just make sure both are completely cooled before assembling for the best texture and visual appeal.
How do I make it mintier?
For a mintier St, add a few drops of mint extract to the pudding, or tuck in chopped Andes mints between layers along with the cookies. You’ll get extra freshness in every bite!
Can I use different food coloring or skip it?
If you’re out of green, any color can work for a fun twist—or skip it entirely for a classic brownie-cookie trifle instead of the festive St look. The trifle will still taste amazing, green or not!
Final Thoughts
If you give this whimsical, crowd-winning St a try, don’t be surprised if it becomes a holiday staple in your kitchen! The perfect harmony of chewy brownies, minty crunch, and creamy green pudding is simply unforgettable. Share it with your friends and family, and watch every layer disappear—there’s no better way to spread a little luck and a lot of joy.
Print
St Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and festive flavors of a St. Patrick’s Day Brownie Trifle. Layers of decadent brownie cubes, creamy green pudding, and minty crushed cookies create a visually stunning and delicious dessert perfect for celebrating the holiday or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Brownie Layer:
- 1 box (18–19 ounces) brownie mix, plus ingredients listed on package
Pudding Layer:
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 cups cold milk
- Green food coloring
Additional Layers and Garnish:
- 8 ounces whipped topping (thawed)
- 1 cup crushed mint sandwich cookies (such as Oreos)
- Optional garnish: green sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or extra cookies
Instructions
- Prepare the Brownie Layer: Make brownies according to package directions, cool, and cut into cubes.
- Prepare the Pudding Layer: Whisk pudding mix and milk until thickened. Add green food coloring and fold in half the whipped topping.
- Assemble the Trifle: Layer brownie cubes, pudding mixture, and crushed cookies in a trifle dish. Repeat layers. Top with remaining whipped topping and garnishes.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- You can make this dessert a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- For extra mint flavor, consider using mint extract in the pudding or adding chopped Andes mints between layers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes (for brownies)
- Category: Dessert, Holiday
- Method: Layering, No-Bake (after brownies are baked)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
