Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle for the Win

because I promised we would be making a lot of trifles

Hello readers and happy Friday.

You might have wondered where I’ve been the last 10 or so days and NO, I didn’t take another vacation.

I only get one of those a year.

No, where I’ve been is working on this blog!

Don’t get me wrong, I am loving it, but the overwhelming responses I’ve been getting between social media and readers signing up at alphabetmom.com…well, it kind of caught me off guard.

And, since I’m a planner AND I’m very organized (insert eye roll), well, I try to be anyway, I had to stop and take just a cotton-picking minute.

Yes, we’ve all had to take a minute sometimes, right?

I had to get this thing streamlined and pipelined and silver lined and every lined I could think of so I could continue to bring blog posts that will entertain you, but most importantly, solve all your problems.

Readers, you have no idea how hard that is, being a professional problem solver and all.

So, I have been writing and cooking and blogging and testing and tailgating (yes, that post is up next) and trying to get it where I can manage my real job, my family and my blog.

And I think I am there.

Can I get an A-MEN?

Thank you Jesus for blessing me with this blog and my readers and for giving me a platform to do two things that I love to do…write and cook.

You still with me?

I hope so because here are some things we need to get caught up on.

First, I promised those of you who are signed up already on alphabetmom.com that I would be sending you a really cool cookbook that will simplify your life.

 Readers, help is on the way.

I am in the final edits of it and early next week, you will get this cookbook emailed straight to your email account.

You can thank me once you have made these delicious BBQ sandwiches.

Or these Family Pork Chops.

Readers, 10 recipes! You heard me right, 10 recipes that are easy, delicious and that’s all.

I mean, that’s all it has to be, right?

Next, I had originally scheduled our new tribe (that includes you) a Declutter Challenge that was SUPPOSED to start on Labor Day weekend.

Right?

Labor Day=Work Day, right?

Well, I don’t think I did a very good job of advertising it, because we only had one person sign up. Thank you, Pam!

I don’t know how to insert an emoji, so I made my own.

You mean to tell me that Pam and I are the only two people in the blog-o-sphere that need to clean out our closets? Our pantry? Our life?

I’m not buying it so, with that mindset, I simply rescheduled the Declutter Challenge and Pam and I are the Team Captains.

It did occur to me that Labor Day Weekend might have had a few people out-of-town, so I’ll give you that.

But one person?

So, here’s what we are going to do…starting Saturday, September 28^th, we will start the Declutter Challenge AGAIN. So is that a re-start?

No matter. If it’s just me and Pam, then we will have the cleanest, most organized houses for the holidays.

So get your wheels on…that’s just a few weeks away and I will be more intentional with my advertising and we will get us a Declutter Team if it kills me.

It might just kill me, by the way, if you’ve seen my closets.

Finally, for today, and before we get to this wonderful trifle, next week I am also starting something really cool that I think you will really enjoy.

You ready?

We are going to cook our way through the alphabet.

I am the Alphabet Mom, after all.

Yes, next Tuesday, September 17^th, I am launching a 13-week cook-fest that will have us cooking through the alphabet, two letters a week, until the middle of December.

At the end of the 13-week window, you my friends, will have 26 new recipes that you will love.

You want examples?

Coconut Sheet Cake and Pecan Pie Cobbler and Unbelievable Shrimp Pasta

Yes, this cook-fest will result in a cookbook with six (6) new dessert recipes, four (4) new appetizer recipes, four (4) new soup/salad/sandwich recipes, four (4) new main courses and four (4) new side dish recipes.

You ready?

And at the end of the 13-week cook-fest, you will be able to print all 26 recipes so you will have your very first Alphabet Mom cookbook.

Hey, I’m problem solver.

Have I showered you with enough information for the day?

I thought so. In fact, here’s a recap:

1. Be on the lookout next week for the Alphabet Mom’s 10 Meal Cooking Companion;
2. The DeClutter Challenge WILL restart on September 28^th…and Pam and I are Team Captains; and
3. Next week we will start cooking though the alphabet which will culminate in a new cookbook for you, and all you will have to do is print it out.

Ya’ll ready?

Speaking of being in…I’ll tell you what you want IN your belly and that’s today’s recipe.

Readers…meet the newest member of our trifle family…

And I’m not even playing.

This one has a few steps, but it’s so worth it. Also, it’s easy, and makes a beautiful presentation, in what else but your trifle bowl.

So, let’s get started. First, mix a fudge brownie mix (I used Betty Crocker) according to package directions, and after you get it mixed in a 9×13 Pyrex dish, add 1 package of peanut butter chips.

Bake on 350 for 20-25 minutes.

While the brownies are baking, let’s get to work on the filling.

Mix 2 large packages of instant vanilla pudding (5.1 ounce box) with 4 cups of milk. I like to whisk it so you won’t have any clumps.

While your pudding is firming up, let’s chop 2 packages of mini peanut butter cups in half and set aside.

It usually takes about five minutes for the pudding to soft-set, so next we want to add a cup of creamy peanut butter and 4 teaspoons of vanilla. Whisk this mixture as well, so it will be nice and smooth.

To this mixture, whisk in 1 ½ cartons of creamy Cool Whip, you will need 3 tubs total for this recipe.

Okay…I think we are ready to start layering our trifle…my favorite part.

Cut your brownies in squares, and pull together your mini peanut butter cups, your pudding and the other 1 ½ tubs of  Cool Whip. Then get your trifle bowl ready!

Repeat.

I ended up with three layers, and I topped with peanut butter cups for garnish.

Question: Who’s in for the Declutter Challenge? Sign up below!