A little Friday decadence ...

We will be gathering with friends this evening ... and I'm bringing dessert!  I have a reputation ... and it can be tough to live up to sometimes ... but I think this will do the trick.  

My daughter found this recipe about 7 years ago and I don't know where (so can't give appropriate credit).  If you even vaguely like chocolate and peanut butter, you're gonna love this!

Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle

1 pkg. (1lb 5.5oz) chocolate brownie mix

egg, water and oil per package instructions

1 pkg. (5.1oz) vanilla instant pudding mix
3 cups milk
½ cup creamy peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed & divided

12 oz. peanut butter cups, crumbled
6-8 mini peanut butter cups, whole, for garnish if desired

In mixing bowl, combine brownie mix, egg, water and oil according to package directions.  Pour into a 9x13 baking pan and bake as directed.  Cool, then cut into 1" cubes.
Combine pudding mix with milk and beat with mixer at low speed until thickened, about 2 minutes.  

Add peanut butter and vanilla and beat until smooth.  

Gently fold in 1 cup whipped topping.

To assemble dessert: in a large trifle bowl (or other bowl) layer half of the cut brownies, followed by half of the cut candies and half of the peanut butter pudding mixture.  Repeat layers. 

This is how it looks after layering brownie and candy, before the peanut pudding mixture is added.

Top with remaining whipped topping and garnish with peanut butter cups.  Chill in refrigerator for several hours or overnight.   Serves 12.

I put the Cool Whip into a small plastic sandwich bag, then made a small clip on the corner; pressed topping out into small mounds and topped with peanut butter cups.