Easter Trifle with Cadbury Mini Eggs

Name: Easter Trifle with Cadbury Mini Eggs
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 140 min
Ingredients: 600 g Two-bite Brownies; 2 packages (113g each) Instant Chocolate Pudding; 4 cups milk; 473 mL Whipping Cream; 3 tablespoons sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1 cup Cadbury Mini Eggs (divided (½ cup per interior layer)); 1/4 cup Cadbury Micro Mini Eggs (added just before serving)

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This Easter trifle is the chocolate lover's answer to Easter dessert. Layers of fudgy brownies, rich chocolate pudding, and homemade whipped cream are built up high in a beautiful glass bowl with Cadbury Mini Eggs tucked into every layer for an Easter dessert that looks as good as it tastes.

Easter trifle with Cadbury mini eggs on a wooden dining table with a floral napkin and gold spoons.

A Quick Look at This Recipe

📋 Recipe: Easter Trifle with Cadbury Mini Eggs
⏲️ Ready In: 20 minutes (plus 2 hours chilling)
👪 Servings: 8 - 10
🔪 Difficulty: Easy
💭 Top Tip: Make this the night before Easter dinner so the flavors have time to meld and it scoops beautifully at the table.

Why You'll Love This Easter Trifle

Made for a crowd. One large trifle bowl serves 8-10 comfortably, making it perfect for Easter dinner with the whole family.
Mostly store-bought shortcuts. Two-bite brownies and instant pudding do the heavy lifting so you can focus on enjoying the day.
Absolutely stunning presentation. Those chocolate and cream layers visible through a clear glass bowl, topped with colorful Mini Eggs, look so beautiful on any Easter dessert table.
The ideal make-ahead dessert. It actually tastes even better the day after you make it, which is a genuine gift when you are hosting.
Different from every other Easter trifle on the table. While most Easter trifles lean vanilla and fruity, this chocolate brownie version is exactly what the chocolate lovers in the crowd have been hoping for.

A Chocolate Easter Trifle for the Chocolate Lovers

If you have ever searched for Easter trifle recipes and found yourself looking at the same pastel vanilla sponge cake with strawberries over and over again, this easy Easter trifle is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. It starts from a base of fudgy chocolate brownies, layers in rich chocolate pudding and real whipped cream, and finishes with two layers of Cadbury Mini Eggs tucked inside and a crown of colorful Mini Eggs scattered on top right before serving.

this recipe was inspired by our individual chocolate brownie trifles, which have been a go-to dessert in my house for years. They are one of those recipes that looks like you put in a lot of effort and comes together in about 20 minutes. The Mini Eggs add the perfect crunch and that unmistakable Cadbury chocolate flavor that makes Easter taste like Easter.

The total Mini Egg amount in this recipe is 1¼ cups. Half a cup goes into each of the two interior layers, and a quarter cup of micro minies finishes the top with that beautiful pastel pop of color.

If you are building a full Easter celebration around this dessert, our Easter Bunny Breakfast has wonderful ideas for making Easter morning just as special as Easter dinner.

Ingredients

See the recipe card below for the exact measurements.

Two-bite Brownies: These are the base of each layer in this trifle. We use a 608g container, which is the large size and gives you exactly the right amount for a full trifle bowl. You can also use homemade brownies cut into roughly 1-inch chunks. Our Easy One Bowl Brownies are a perfect choice. Let them cool completely before assembling.
Instant Chocolate Pudding: Helps keep this recipe simple and quick. Two 113g packages prepared with 4 cups of milk total give you the perfect amount of pudding for a full trifle bowl.
Homemade Whipped Cream: This is the one place in this recipe where we skip the shortcut. It takes about 4 minutes to make homemade whipped cream, and the difference in flavor is absolutely worth it. That said, Cool Whip works fine if you need to save time.
Cadbury Mini Eggs: everyone's favorite Easter treat adds great crunch, flavor, and texture to this trifle. A note on Mini Egg colors: if your Mini Eggs look less vibrant than ours in these photos, that is completely normal! The Canadian version of Cadbury Mini Eggs has noticeably brighter shell colors than the US and UK versions. The flavor is the same.
Cadbury Micro Mini Eggs, which are smaller and look so pretty scattered across the cream. Micro Mini Eggs are most widely available in Canada but can also be found at some US retailers including Walmart. If you cannot find them, simply leave out the top layer or scatter an extra ¼ cup of regular Mini Eggs on top instead.

Variations

This recipe is easy to make your own. Here are some of our favorite ways to switch it up.

Fresh Fruit: A layer of sliced fresh strawberries added alongside the Mini Eggs in each interior layer is absolutely beautiful and adds a lovely freshness to cut through all the chocolate. This also makes a stunning visual if you press a few strawberry slices up against the glass at each fruit layer.
Pudding: Instead of two packages of chocolate pudding, try one package of chocolate and one package of vanilla pudding, butterscotch, or caramel pudding. And use one for each layer.
Chocolate Cake or Chocolate Swiss Rolls: instead of brownies you could use chocolate cake, or chocolate pound cake, or chocolate swiss rolls. Cut the cake into cubes, and slice the swiss roll.

How to Make Easter Trifle: Step by Step

Chocolate instant pudding whisked and thickened in a metal mixing bowl for an Easter trifle.

Step 1: Prepare the Pudding Make both packages of instant chocolate pudding according to the package directions using 4 cups of milk total. Whisk until smooth and let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes to thicken.

Freshly whipped cream in a metal mixing bowl ready to be layered in an Easter trifle.

Step 2: Whip the Cream Combine the whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat on high speed with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form, about 3 to 4 minutes. For a make-ahead trifle, slightly stiffer cream holds up much better in the fridge and won't deflate or weep as the dessert chills.

Two-bite brownies quartered and layered across the bottom of a large glass trifle bowl.

Step 3: Build the First Brownie, Pudding, and Cream Layers Slice or quarter the two-bite brownies and arrange half of them in an even layer across the bottom of a large clear trifle bowl, all the way to the edges. Spoon half the chocolate pudding over the brownies and spread it gently to the edges. Then spoon half the whipped cream on top as the next layer, again reaching all the way to the edges.

Cadbury mini eggs being broken into pieces inside a zip-lock bag with a wooden rolling pin alongside a bowl of whole mini eggs.

Step 4: Scatter the First Mini Egg Layer Place ½ cup of Cadbury Mini Eggs in a zip-lock bag and use a rolling pin to break them into pieces. You are not looking to crush them completely. Aim for a mix of larger and smaller pieces, with a few whole eggs left in for variety. Distribute the broken Mini Eggs evenly over the whipped cream. These get nestled into the layers as the trifle builds, adding crunch and that signature Mini Egg flavor in every bite.

Quartered two-bite brownies layered over Cadbury mini eggs and whipped cream in a glass trifle bowl.

Step 5: Repeat Layers Add another even layer of quartered brownies across the bowl. Spoon on the remaining chocolate pudding, followed by the remaining whipped cream. Break up the remaining ½ cup of Cadbury Mini Eggs and set aside for serving.

Easter trifle with chocolate pudding and whipped cream layers visible through the glass bowl, ready to chill before adding the mini egg topping.

Step 6: Chill, Then Top Before Serving Cover the trifle bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours up to overnight. Do not add the top Mini Egg layers yet. Once the trifle has chilled and you are ready to serve, scatter the chopped mini eggs over the top along with the ¼ cup of Cadbury Micro Mini Eggs. Adding them after chilling keeps the shell colors bright and vivid against the cream without any color bleed.

Easter trifle topped with whole and broken Cadbury mini eggs on a wooden table with a pink bowl of Cadbury micro mini eggs.

Expert Tip

Spread every layer to the glass. The gorgeous visual of a trifle comes entirely from those visible stripes of chocolate and cream when you look at it from the side. Take a moment with each layer to push it all the way out to the edge of the bowl before adding the next one. It takes an extra 30 seconds per layer and makes all the difference in how the finished trifle looks at the table.

Make-Ahead Instructions

This is one of the best make-ahead Easter desserts for a crowd. Assemble the trifle up to 24 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. The flavors come together beautifully overnight and the brownie pieces soften slightly into the pudding in the most delicious way.

Hold the Micro Mini Egg topping until right before serving, after the trifle has chilled, so the colors stay bright and vivid against the cream.

For another great make-ahead dessert your guests will love, our caramel apple trifle is a wonderful version to bookmark for fall entertaining.

Storage

Store leftover trifle covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. After that the brownie pieces become very soft and the whipped cream starts to deflate.

This trifle does not freeze well as the textures of both the whipped cream and pudding change once thawed.

Easter trifle with Cadbury mini eggs in a glass trifle bowl with Cadbury mini eggs scattered on a wooden table and lily of the valley flowers in a floral teapot in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Easter trifle?

An Easter trifle is a layered dessert assembled in a large clear glass bowl so the beautiful layers are visible from the outside. Traditional English trifles use sponge cake, custard, fruit, and whipped cream. An Easter trifle adds a seasonal touch, typically through fruit, spring flavors, or in this case, Cadbury Mini Eggs tucked throughout the layers.

What makes this the best Easter trifle?

Most Easter trifle recipes use vanilla sponge cake or angel food cake with fresh berries and light cream. This recipe goes the opposite direction with rich chocolate brownies, chocolate pudding, and Cadbury Mini Eggs throughout. For anyone at your Easter table who finds the vanilla fruit versions a little too light, this one is going to be their favorite thing you have ever made.

Can I use homemade brownies?

Absolutely. Any fudgy brownie works beautifully here. Cut them into roughly 1-inch chunks and let them cool completely before assembling. Our Easy One Bowl Brownies are a great choice if you want to go the homemade route.

What size trifle bowl do I need?

You will need a large trifle bowl with a capacity of at least 4 to 5 litres (approximately 4 to 5 quarts). A deep clear glass bowl is ideal so you can see all the gorgeous layers from the outside, which is the whole magic of the trifle presentation.

Can I make this in individual servings?

Yes. For individual servings, halve the recipe and divide it among 4 individual glasses or mason jars. The layering is exactly the same, just scaled down. Head to our individual brownie trifle post for more tips on individual assembly.

Can I use Cool Whip instead of homemade whipped cream?

You can. Cool Whip or any store-bought whipped topping holds its shape well in the assembled trifle. Homemade whipped cream gives the best flavor and a lighter texture, but Cool Whip is a perfectly reasonable shortcut when you need to save time.

How long does this Easter trifle need to chill?

At least 2 hours in the refrigerator. The chilling time allows the flavors to meld and the trifle to set so it scoops cleanly and holds those beautiful layers. Remember to hold the top Mini Egg layer until right before you serve, after chilling is complete.

Why do my Mini Eggs look different from the ones in the photos?

Cadbury Mini Eggs in Canada have noticeably brighter shell colors than the US and UK versions. The flavor is the same, but if your eggs look a little more muted than ours, that is simply a regional difference and nothing to worry about. Your trifle will be just as beautiful and just as delicious.

Where can I find Cadbury Micro Mini Eggs?

In Canada, Micro Mini Eggs are widely available at most major grocery stores and retailers around Easter. In the United States, they are a little harder to find but are available at some Walmart locations and specialty candy retailers. You can also order them online. If you cannot find them in your area, simply replace them with an extra ¼ cup of regular Mini Eggs instead. The trifle will still look beautiful.

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If you try this Easter Trifle or any other recipe on my blog please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting today!

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