The birthday festivus has begun. “What is that”, you ask. Well, my little guy will be 3 next Saturday and we’ve been feverishly planning the bash. And to be honest, I’m sure some folks may think we go a little overboard with our celebrations, but what can I say!?! Heather and I both love to plan a party and right now J is the only child so it just kinda happens.
The first birthday party was Dr. Seuss themed. At that time, he was mesmerized with balloons, so we gave him plenty to look at. We had fun food like Green Deviled Eggs topped with Ham (Green Eggs and Ham), Star-Bellied Sandweeches and Roast Beast Sandwiches. The cake, which I made and was a huge disaster when the bottom layer decided to collapse on the trip from the house to the party, was originally four tears with different Dr. Seuss stories represented on each tier. And for a fun touch, we had the ice cream truck come by for each of the kids (and parents) to get ice cream.
The second birthday party was Sesame Street themed. Each of the tables had themed centerpieces. We made a huge bird’s nest filled with yellow feathers for Big Bird, Oscar’s tables had a bunch of trash out of his garbage can, Cookie Monster’s table had a pile of what else… cookies. You get the picture. We rented a Sesame Street themed bouncer thing and everything was Sesame Street and Jack themed… and I do mean everything. And of course the ice cream truck came by!
This year was supposed to be fire truck themed, but when we took him to the actual fire station where we were going to have the party, he wasn’t so keen on the idea. So, instead we’re having a baseball themed event complete with roasted peanuts, Cracker Jacks, hot dogs, freshly popped popcorn, etc. It’s funny because this year is the first year that’s he’s really understood what’s going on. Everyday he’s starting to ask if we’re going to his birthday party that day – sweet little booger. All this to say, I may be scarce over the next week as we pull everything together for the grand event. But y’all just bear with me and I’ll be sure to show you pictures when we’re done!
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This easy recipe is much less recipe and more about assembly, but the result is something you could serve your most special guests. My Mom has been making this since I was a child and let me tell you, if you want to impress some folks at a pot luck, take this!
Ingredients
- 1 family sized brownie mix (makes 9X13 pan), prepared per package directions
- 1 regular size instant chocolate pudding, prepared per package directions
- 1 – 12oz Cool Whip
- 3 Heath Bars
Directions
- Crumble half of brownies into the bottom of a trifle bowl. Top with one crushed Heath Bar.
- Top with half of chocolate pudding, being sure to spread the pudding all the way to the edge of the bowl.
- Next, spread half of Cool Whip over pudding.
- Repeat in same order with brownies, Heath Bar, pudding, and then Cool Whip.
- Top with last crushed Heath Bar and refrigerate, preferably overnight, before serving.
Recipe Card
Ultimate Brownie Trifle
Ingredients
- 1 (18 to 20-ounce) family sized brownie mix (makes 9X13-inch pan)
- + ingredients to make brownies according to package instructions
- 1 (5.9-ounce) instant chocolate pudding mix
- + ingredients to make pudding according to package instructions
- 1 (16-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
- 3 Heath Bars
Instructions
- Prepare the brownies according to the package instructions and allow them to cool. Prepare the pudding according tot he package instructions.
- Crumble half of brownies into the bottom of a trifle bowl. Top with one crushed Heath Bar.
- Top with half of chocolate pudding, being sure to spread the pudding all the way to the edge of the bowl.
- Next, spread half of whipped topping over pudding.
- Repeat in same order with brownies, Heath Bar, pudding, and then whipped topping.
- Top with last crushed Heath Bar and refrigerate, preferably overnight, before serving.
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Shirley
Could This Be Layered In A 9 X 13 Pan?
I’ve not tried that, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.
Amy R
Hi! Looks yummy! Could I use real whipped cream instead? Would that hold up overnight? Not a huge fan of cool whip. Thanks.
Yeah, I think it would probably hold up overnight. You can also Google recipes for stabilized whipped cream which will help.
Rhonda
Just made this. Looks great. Taking to work tomorrow. So easy. Thanks for sharing.
I hope all your coworkers love it!!
Diana White
Could you use your brownie recipe with the sweetened condensed milk and chips in this trifle?
Absolutely!
Mary
OMG!!! I made this for Fathers Day yesterday and I got Rave reviews!!! So Good and super easy to make! Thank YOU!!!
That’s awesome, Mary! So glad it turned out great for you!
Jackie @Syrup and Biscuits
Well, I’m a little late coming to the party! I’m sure it was a fantastic blow-out that little Jack will remember forever. What a fortunate little guy. Congratulations, Stacy!
LOL! Better late than never! We made it through alive without any great catastrophe (except the ice cream truck didn’t show up!). I’ll post some pictures this week! It was a blast! And I’ve got to try out that roasted okra and sweet tea sangria!!!!!! YUM!
Kelli
I think I look more forward to Jack’s birthday than my own kid’s parties. Something about getting to come and enjoy and not stress over the details:) I have tried this recipe and it is a yummy one!
Danielle D.
Happy Birthday to your little guy! I love children’s birthday parties. They are so fun and you can take any theme and run with it. I can’t wait till my little one is here so I can have fun planning things!
This trifle looks so yummy! I have a trifle bowl that i’ve never used, this looks like a perfect “breaking it in” recipe. Thanks!! Happy planning.
Thanks, Danielle! We do love doing his parties. 🙂 Good luck breaking in that trifle bowl!
Carol P.
Happy Birthday, Jack. Jack is a very lucky boy to have you and to be so loved. That is something he will always know!!
Thanks, Carol!
Jodi
I just discovered your blog, and it’s definitely a ‘keeper’! The birthday party look absolutely fabulous, and I LOVE the personalized water bottles!
I have made a similar brownie trifle, and it was scarfed up in ten minutes!
Welcome, Jodi! I’m so glad you like the blog!
Elizabeth
What a precious little boy you have. He is so lucky to have parents that want his birthday to be so special for him on his special day. What beautiful memories he will have as he gets older. I love the creative ideas and looking at the fun pictures of events and food. The cake you made is just beautiful. Can’t wait to see pictures of the upcoming event, I know it will be great!
Happy 3rd Birthday Jack!!!!! *:*
Thanks, Elizabeth! I’ll be sure to pass the wishes along to him!
Tina
I love all your party ideas…what fun! Thanks for sharing! You are making such wonderful memories for your entire family!
My son just celebrated his 31st(gulp) birthday, and I made a similar trifle for him…his usual request! I used devils food cake instead of the brownies. I will definitely try the brownies next time!
Thanks, Tina! The devils food cake sounds like a wonderful variation. Yum!
Mary
You certainly are fantastic parents! What fun to plan birthday parties, because the love put into the celebration is something that is always remembered! Happy Birthday to Jack and enjoy that day!!! The trifle looks delicious and easy to make. Thanks!!!! Love the ice cream truck idea!!!!
Thanks, Mary! You’re so sweet! We do love that little guy!
Sabrina
What a blessed little guy Jack is to have parents who do such fun creative things! Happy Birthday, Jack! (By the way, I LOVE your name!)
Thanks, Sabrina! On both counts!! 🙂