Hello dear friends,
I'm still traveling, {so pardon my lack of online love lately}, but thought I'd share this little treat I packed for the road before leaving on vacation a little {long?} while back: Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Trifle. Because chocolate + peanut butter are awesome. And chocolate cake + peanut butter pudding + bananas + whipped cream are even more awesome... naturally! And everything is better in a jar, right? ;)
Ok, ok, if you're not into bananas you can easily skip or substitute with ripe persimmon and it will still be an awesome little treat ;) -- sheesh, look at the trouble you banana dislikers are causing -- can't even share a recipe without apologizing! :) Some ripe persimmon or just jam, and maybe some dried fruit or nuts would work perfectly well here in place of bananas... The doors are wide open with this kind of treat ♥
One can say this recipe was somewhat inspired by this pie, and also by the fact I had some brownies left over that needed to be used up before hitting the road...
Now I know it looks all fancy in the photos, but in reality it's the fastest thing to throw together and makes a nice portable treat or a decadent dessert to share with friends.
The recipe makes 2 of the jars depicted, but I'd say it's more like 4-6 servings if divided between smaller jars and amongst reasonable people who don't eat desserts by the jar... ;)
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Trifle
Layers of gluten-free chocolate cake, peanut butter and bananas, are topped with vegan whip in this decadent trifle dessert.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Pudding
- Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake:
- ½ a batch of this Duncan Hines-Style Chocolate Cake {without the ganache}
Peanut Butter Banana Pudding:
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter {organic if possible}
- 1 ripe banana {or a small ripe persimmon, or some jam, or just omit and add more sweetener}
- ⅓ cup maple syrup {or agave, etc.}
- dash of salt
Coconut Whipped Cream:
- 1 can refrigerated canned full-fat coconut milk {chilled overnight}
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Topping & Layering:
- 2-3 ripe bananas, sliced {or alternatively use chopped persimmon or just some nuts or dried berries, or jam}
- Optional: cacao nibs, chocolate chips, cinnamon or extra cacao powder for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare cake as per directions here. Cool and slice into small squares. Set aside.
- Blend all peanut butter banana pudding ingredients together until smooth. Adjust sweetness to taste. Set aside.
- Scoop out the solid white part of the coconut milk from the chilled can {make sure not to add the water, but only the solids} into a mixing bowl. Whip with a mixer until fluffy, then add remaining ingredients and mix through. Set aside.
- Assemble the trifle by layering some chocolate cake bits, then top with a layer of pudding, then some sliced bananas, then repeat until you use up all the ingredients. Top each jar with whipped cream, then sprinkle with toppings of your choice and enjoy! Keep refrigerated if not consuming straight away.
Magan Levy says
This taste sooo delicious!! Just wondering why my pudding came out so dark and lumpy :/ I was hoping for that light creamy pudding texture I see in your photo. Where do you think I went wrong? Regardless though, it tastes amazing and so fun to put together! Thank you ❤️
Audrey says
Hi Magan, I'm glad you like this :) Hmm.. dark.. dark... Why would it be darker, I wonder? Can you tell me a bit more about how you made it? Did you substitute anything in the recipe? Was the peanut butter just plain natural pb? Did you use banana or another fruit for the pudding part? Was the banana (if banana) over-ripe by any chance? Did you use maple syrup for the sweetener? Anything else you can think of in terms of ingredients that might have affected the color?
Magan levy says
Hi! So my banana was perfectly ripe. I did use just a regular ol Trader Joe’s pb. BUT I did use honey as my sweetener... do you think this is what could have gone wrong?
Audrey says
Interesting. Yes, I suppose that's possible -- different sweeteners can have a different color to them in recipes. Likewise perhaps some peanut butter brands roast their butters to be a bit darker than others? I haven't had TJ's pb in a long time, so I can't remember the shade of it. But either way, I suppose it's not a deal killer to have the mixture darker so long as it still tastes right :)
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy says
This looks delicious Audrey! I need to get my act together and start making my recipes. Summer is officially over, and hoping I have some type of regular schedule to bake and cook again in the kitchen!
Audrey says
Thank you Anjali! It's always strange to transition into a new schedule when summer is over -- enjoy your baking time :)
Alison @Food by Mars says
OH Yum! This is making me hungry. Banana cream pies are my FAVORITE and so this is speaking to me... with peanut butter? in a mason jar? STAHP IT. Well done as always, Audrey!
Audrey says
Hehe, Alison. True -- I love a good banana cream pie and anything in a mason jar is bound to be good ;)
Jasmin says
How can someone look at this great jar and said, let split it among three of us?! No way! it's just too much fun to eat it - I guess... ;)
Audrey says
Hehe -- I know what you mean :)
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says
Wow, I'm slightly jealous of all the time you've been able to spend on the road! I bet you're having an epic time - and these truffles! They look amazing!
Audrey says
Thanks so much, Sharon. And yes, I'm having a blast :) Although I do miss my kitchen... ;)
Bridget says
Audrey, What a fun way to serve dessert. I am looking forward to serving this at our next BBQ with friends! I know it will be a hit!!!
Audrey says
Thanks Bridget -- how awesome -- I hope you enjoy it! :)
Harriet Emily says
Seriously loving this recipe Audrey, you've combined all of my favourite things together into one dessert! Chocolate, peanut butter and banana?!!? Ahhhh - it sounds like pure bliss. I think if I were to make this, it might end up being a recipe for one... I can just imagine myself devouring the whole lot!
Audrey says
Hehe, thanks so much Harriet :)
Kat from curlsnchard.com says
When I saw the title I wondered what a trifle was, well, problems of a non-native English speaker ;) But now I have educated myself and can say, oh my gosh this sounds so delicious. Well, I could've said that before finding out what a trifle is already ;) Chocolate, banana and peanut butter are just a perfect combination!
Audrey says
Hehe -- thanks Kat. Cultural food learnings are my favorite thing about blogging :) Glad I helped you discover trifles ;)
Emma says
Girrrrrll you are killing it! These look amazing and the pics are gorgeous. Licking the screen now.
Audrey says
Hehe, thanks Emma! ♥
Tamanique says
Cool! It's all about the cold layered desserts for me this summer. This looks so good, I wish I could get my coconut whip to ever look so fluffy.
Audrey says
Hi Tamanique -- thanks so much! What can I say -- I practice making that coconut whip quite frequently ;)
Gluten Free Mama says
oh my goodness, so yummy, and I love, love, love the presentation! I can do that!!!
Audrey says
Thanks Rachel -- that's one of the best parts about a trifle treat :)
Celeste says
I'm always game for the chocolate/peanut butte combo, and these look divine!
Audrey says
Thanks so much, Celeste! ♥
Bianca @ ElephantasticVegan says
Oh my goodness! I want to be able to minimize myself and jump into that jar of deliciousness! Love the chocolate + banana + peanut butter combination - I don't think there is anything that's more awesome, really1
Audrey says
I agree, Bianca :) It's one of the best combos and makes a regular appearance in my breakfasts ;)
Melissa @ vegan does it says
This looks absolutely amazing! And it's all the flavors I love in one dessert. Doesn't get any better than that!
Audrey says
Yep, agreed, Melissa :)
Michelle ~ My Gluten-free Kitchen says
Oh, I want to share this dessert with you! One for you, One for me! :) Seriously, this looks so amazing and delicious! Love all the flavors in this!
Audrey says
Thanks Michelle -- always happy to share :)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Now this is a treat that I'd gladly use bananas in ;)
Audrey says
Thanks Rebecca :) I'd have to agree, though I might be a little biased ;)
Johnna says
Oh my goodness, this is divine. I think I might enjoy the pudding alone with a few banana slices, but add chocolate cake and I'm for sure in. Will make this soon!
Audrey says
Thanks Johnna -- and agreed on the pudding + banana slices idea :)
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
The logic in that first paragraph is spot on! You just combined 3 of the best flavors in the dessert world in one jar <3 The non-banana substitutions sound interesting, but I wouldn't want to change one thing about this beauty, because it is PERFECT! We're thinking alike with the cake-in-a-jar + creamy things recipes this week, but I want yours more than mine because...well...peanut butter! Happy travels :)
Audrey says
Aw, thanks Natalie. Can't wait to check out your jar of goodness :)