Gluten-free Brownie Pudding Toffee Trifle
Layer upon layer of chocolatey goodness in this gluten-free brownie toffee trifle! It looks complicated, but it’s actually an easy gluten-free trifle recipe with just a few ingredients!
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. People ooh and aah over this dessert every time I bring it somewhere.
The only time-intensive part of making this is that you have to make the gluten-free brownies, let them cool, then cube them up. I prefer to make the batch of brownies the day before I make the trifle. It saves time on dessert day, and also the brownies have plenty of time to set so they aren’t too fudgy or gooey to cut into squares. But you can also just make up a boxed brownie mix to save time.
My favorite part about this dessert is that you can totally customize it to fit your preferences for taste and ingredients. Don’t like Cool Whip? Feel free to make your own whipped cream to mix with the pudding (which is what I did this latest time).
To make my own Cool Whip substitute, I followed the instructions on this blog post on how to make homemade whipped topping. Her recipe makes the equivalent of a tub of Cool Whip.
Want a different flavor of pudding? Choose whatever flavor you would like or even make your own pudding from scratch.
Want to really make this a fast dessert? Choose a high-quality gluten-free brownie mix instead of baking them from scratch.
My favorite boxed gluten-free brownie mix is King Arthur Flour gluten-free Brownie Mix. I always have a few boxes of these on hand for a simple shortcut for desserts like this or when I’m out of ingredients for making my own from-scratch brownies. I can find this mix at some of my local stores in the gluten-free section. Or you can buy a 6-pack of these online from Amazon here.
Notes on ingredients and substitutions for this gluten-free brownie toffee trifle:
- The toffee bits used in this are Heath Milk Chocolate English Toffee Bits. They can be found at several grocery stores. If your store doesn’t have the milk chocolate ones, you can also get the ones that are just the toffee. You can also just buy whole Heath candy bars or Skor bars and chop them up. Both Heath and Skor are listed on Hershey’s gluten-free candy list.
- I usually use Jell-o White Chocolate Instant Pudding, which I buy from Amazon 6 boxes at a time, or sometimes find at my local stores! You can also use Jell-O Cheesecake Pudding or even Jell-O Vanilla Pudding flavors in this instead. I’ve tried them and they’re great in this too.
- Whipped topping: In this recipe, you can either use Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream. I’ve made this both ways, and people like it either way!
Is Jell-O instant pudding gluten-free?
I use Jell-O brand instant pudding in this. Kraft makes Jell-o pudding, and while they don’t put out a list of gluten-free products, they are good about labeling. You can read Kraft’s stance on labeling gluten here. Based on their information, and the fact that the starch is clearly labeled as being from corn, the pudding flavors I call for in this recipe appear to be free of gluten ingredients.
As always, I recommend checking all labels and if you are unsure, contact the manufacturer directly. I’m not aware of a certified gluten-free pudding mix, so I stick with Jell-o brand.
This gluten-free trifle is such a pretty dessert to bring to large gatherings. You’ll need a trifle bowl for best presentation but they aren’t that expensive. I found a number of trifle bowls on Amazon and they don’t cost that much at all. Here’s a trifle bowl that’s a bestseller on Amazon.
Make this beauty for your next party and you’ll be sure to get a lot of smiles!
While this isn’t a holiday only dessert, I do find myself bringing it to more gatherings around the holidays. Maybe because people are looking to indulge more then? I find this easily serves around 16 people. Trust me, it gets quite messy once you serve this, and not very photogenic once it’s plopped on a plate, but man is it good!!
I don’t think you’ll get any complaints about looks when it tastes this good!
What else do I like to take to holiday parties? For an appetizer, I usually bring these chip and guacamole bites. If it’s a cookie exchange, I usually bring these gluten-free gingerbread white chocolate cookies. And these gluten-free mint brownies are always a hit!
This recipe adapted from a clipping from an old Quick Cooking magazine!
I hope you and your family or friends enjoy this brownie trifle too!
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.
Ingredients
- 1 9x13 pan of gluten-free brownies
- 2 1/2 cups cold milk
- 2 small boxes (3.3 oz. each) Jell-O instant pudding mix (white chocolate or cheesecake flavor)
- 1 carton (8 oz.) Cool Whip whipped topping or homemade whipped cream (see note)
- 4 oz. (1/2 bag) of Heath English Toffee Bits
Instructions
- Bake a batch of my best gluten-free brownies or a good quality 9x13 gluten-free brownie mix. Let cool completely. Cut brownies into 1" cubes. (Note: this step can be done day ahead).
- In a large mixing bowl, use a stand mixer or a hand mixer to beat the milk and pudding mixes on low speed for 2 minutes. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the whipped topping.
- In a glass trifle bowl, layer half of the brownie cubes. Spread half of the pudding/whipped topping mixture on top. Sprinkle with half of the Heath toffee bits.
- Repeat layers a second time in same order.
- Chill until ready to serve.
Notes
I've made this with Cool Whip with success. I've also made a homemade version of Cool Whip with success. I followed this homemade whipped cream recipe to make my own Cool Whip substitute at home.
For the toffee bits, I use the milk chocolate coated Heath bits found near the chocolate chip bags on the baking aisle. You can also use the plain ones. Or you can buy whole Heath Bars or Skor bars and chop them yourself until you have 4 ounces worth.
Originally published January 2014, updated entire post and photos Dec 2018. Sheepishly including previous photo from 2013!
If you make this gluten-free trifle and love it, please come back and give this recipe a 5 star rating in the recipe card! Feel free to comment with tips or to share any successful substitutions you made.
For everyone asking about the pudding, I made the pudding as directed
on the box. I used two – 1 oz boxes of the white chocolate pudding and mixed with 4 total cups of milk. I whisked for two minutes as directed and stuck it in my refrigerator until it set, around 5 minutes. Then I folded in the cool whip and assembled according to the recipe, other than I used the entire bag of Heath because why not? I am anxious to serve it to see if I want to make more pudding next time because it didn’t quite seem like quite enough in the dish I used. I did give it a taste test though, and it tasted delicious!
@Stephanie,
I’m looking forward to making this to bring to a dinner where I have relative who must eat GF.
You mentioned it not being enough for the dish you used. I have a trifle dish, but have deduced it is on the small side. Trifle recipes mostly disregard mentioning what size of dish it is for. This is strange to me because I bake cheesecakes and the pan size is always stated. What size is the dish you used?
Question: I’m going to use vanilla pudding, you say add whipped topping to this. So I add whipped cream to the pudding?
This was my first trifle, and the fam has requested that it goes in the rotation. I used your brownie recipe which was incredible. The combo of the rich brownies, the chocolate pudding, and the crunchy toffee was outstanding. This is an easy dessert to put together, and the results are show-stopping.
So glad everyone in the fam loved it too! Yay for easy desserts that wow everyone!
I followed the instructions to the letter but it only fills up half my trifle bowl. Was hoping it would fill the whole thing.
Wow -you must have a big trifle bowl! Next time you’ll have to make a double recipe!
Oh man. I followed the directions and made it with two 3.3 oz puddings as directed. I’m assuming that was a mistake in the recipe because that made the worst gluey inedible glob. Husband is headed back to the store to get two 1 oz pudding mixes and see if that is what it should have been. You said “small” but wrote 3.3 oz. Assuming you meant two 1 oz mixes? 6.6 oz of pudding mix (two boxes) plus 2.5 cups of milk literally made a big clump of glue. 🙁
So glad I read your comment, thanks for sharing! Were you able to make the recipe successfully in the end? I’m making it tomorrow. I guess I’ll just be really careful with the pudding and milk amounts and watchthe consistency.
@A. Palmer, I’m staying up late to put it together for a Memorial Day picnic tomorrow. I noticed the instructions said two 3.3 oz boxes (I consider those to be the small size), but the trifle recipe only calls for 2 1/2 cups of milk. Where as the pudding box itself says 2 cups for one box. I was wondering about that discrepancy and thought I should dig through the comments and see if there was any clarification. Only thing I could think of why yours was gooey was it’s meant to be different since it’s folded with the whipped cream. Hoping mine turns out, I’ll eyeball it and see if I need to add more!
@Kat Reed, did yours turn out? I’m nervous about making it with this discrepancy
That looks wonderful. What a way to indulge and not get “glutenized”.
For a delicious twist, sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of Kahlua on the brownie pieces before adding the other layers. After layering, put in fridge for a few hours to allow flavor to seep in.
Great idea!
I neglected to mention that I can’t have dairy, so I will try whipped coconut cream instead of the pudding. Can’t wait to try this.
I might even substitute the bits for chopped pecans maybe some shredded coconut too. Num.
I just have to tell you this is delicious. I haven’t been able to find the 2 puddings suggested so I have been using dark chocolate. It has been such a hit with my kids and their friends. I don’t tell them it’s GF until they have tried it. I told my co-workers about it and am going to take some to them next week.
I’ve made this 3 times in the past 2 months.
Thank you!
I can’t wait to make this for Christmas Eve! Thank you for such a delicious, gluten free, dessert! My Celiac 4-year-old and Celiac Mom will LOVE it!
This brownie pudding trifle was a huge hit with my own family as well as my church family, who attended the baby shower that I brought this dessert too (especially great-full were those gluten-intolerant). It not only looked wonderful, but everyone thought it was delicious! Folding the whipped cream into the white chocolate pudding made the dessert so light and fluffy. I used 2 boxed gluten-free brownie mixes and spread them in a foil lined 10×13 pan sprayed with coconut oil. I turned it onto a cooling rack, removed the foil, and when it was cool turned it onto a large cutting board. I cut it with a large knife into smaller 1/2 inch bite size squares. I didn’t have a trifle bowl so I used one of my beveled edge, clear glass salad bowls. It worked great! I already know a few ladies who are making it this week for Easter. Thanks again.
Where do you find gluten-free instant pudding? All the ones I look at are thickened with wheat gluten. Thanks! This trifle looks great!
Becky, Jello brand instant pudding does not have any wheat or gluten in it as thickeners. I clarified that in my post above.
I know Hershey’s is making a white chocolate pudding now, but it does contain a wheat warning on it (I can’t remember if it contained wheat or said it was manufactured on shared equipment with wheat) but it had a clear warning so I stayed away!
Oh my goodness! Sis and I are trying to get back to healthier eating after the holidays and the long tail of “just finishing off the Christmas candy,” etc., etc., but this is extremely hard to resist! Gorgeous.
Well Molly, when you are ready to break the healthy eating streak, you know just where to come for a dessert recipe! 🙂
This looks amazing!!
Thanks Ashley!