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You are here: Home / Mousse or Pudding Desserts / Gluten-free Brownie Pudding Toffee Trifle

Gluten-free Brownie Pudding Toffee Trifle

This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure for more information.

December 10, 2018 by Michelle Palin ~ My Gluten-free Kitchen 17 Comments

Thanks for sharing!

Layer upon layer of chocolatey goodness in this gluten-free brownie toffee trifle! It looks complicated, but it’s actually an easy recipe with just a few ingredients!

Gluten-free Brownie Heath 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. 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.

Heath Brownie Trifle Gluten Free

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 my local Wal-Mart in the gluten-free section. Or you can buy a 6-pack of these online from Amazon here. Or if you shop using the Amazon Prime Pantry feature, you can buy single boxes here. 

Ingredients for gluten-free brownie heath trifle

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, including Wal-Mart. 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 Vanilla Pudding or Cheesecake 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 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 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!

Gluten free Brownie Pudding Toffee Trifle

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 trifle too! 

Gluten-free Brownie Pudding Trifle Recipe:

Yield: 16 servings

Gluten-free Brownie Pudding Toffee Trifle

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.

Prep Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes

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

  1. 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).
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Repeat layers a second time in same order.
  5. 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.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • JELL-O White Chocolate Instant Pudding & Pie Filling Mix (3.3 oz Boxes, Pack of 6)
    JELL-O White Chocolate Instant Pudding & Pie Filling Mix (3.3 oz Boxes, Pack of 6)
  • Heath English Toffee Bits
    Heath English Toffee Bits
© Michelle Palin ~ My Gluten-free Kitchen
Cuisine: American / Category: Mousse or Pudding Desserts
Pin this to your Gluten-free Desserts board on Pinterest:

Gluten-free Brownie Pudding Toffee Trifle Recipe. Easy to make! I bring this to holiday get togethers.

 

Originally published January 2014, updated entire post and photos Dec 2018. Sheepishly including previous photo from 2013!

 Gluten-free Brownie Pudding Toffee Trifle Layered Dessert

Related posts:

Gluten-free Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Pie {Dairy-free}
Pistachio Pudding Dessert {Gluten-free}

Thanks for sharing!

Filed Under: Mousse or Pudding Desserts Tagged With: chocolate, gluten-free recipes

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Comments

  1. Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says

    January 21, 2014 at 11:05 am

    This looks amazing!!

    Reply
    • Michelle Palin ~ My Gluten-free Kitchen says

      January 24, 2014 at 11:55 am

      Thanks Ashley!

      Reply
  2. Molly says

    January 22, 2014 at 7:48 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Michelle Palin ~ My Gluten-free Kitchen says

      January 24, 2014 at 11:55 am

      Well Molly, when you are ready to break the healthy eating streak, you know just where to come for a dessert recipe! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Becky Howel says

    January 24, 2014 at 8:49 pm

    Where do you find gluten-free instant pudding? All the ones I look at are thickened with wheat gluten. Thanks! This trifle looks great!

    Reply
    • Michelle Palin ~ My Gluten-free Kitchen says

      January 25, 2014 at 7:04 pm

      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!

      Reply
  4. Evangeline says

    April 15, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    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.

    Reply
  5. Ashley says

    December 20, 2014 at 8:21 am

    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!

    Reply
  6. JJ says

    May 23, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    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!

    Reply
  7. Vivian says

    December 17, 2015 at 8:38 pm

    I might even substitute the bits for chopped pecans maybe some shredded coconut too. Num.

    Reply
  8. Vivian says

    December 17, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    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.

    Reply
  9. Davi says

    December 10, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    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.

    5.0 rating

    Reply
    • Michelle Palin ~ My Gluten-free Kitchen says

      December 11, 2018 at 12:59 pm

      Great idea!

      Reply
  10. Carrie says

    December 17, 2018 at 7:43 am

    That looks wonderful. What a way to indulge and not get “glutenized”.

    Reply
  11. A. Palmer says

    January 21, 2019 at 4:29 pm

    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 ā€œsmallā€ 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. šŸ™

    2.0 rating

    Reply
    • Maura O'Reilly says

      April 20, 2019 at 12:19 am

      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.

      Reply

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