Light Mint Brownie Trifle

Are you feeling a need for something light?  Are you wanting to make, or need to bring, a treat for New Years Eve fun?  

This Light Mint Brownie Trifle will be the perfect treat for you.  It's light, flavorful, full of chocolate goodness and minty happiness, and let me say again... LIGHT.  Plus, this trifle looks pretty, fancy and it's a perfect party dessert that will impress and feed plenty.

Sometimes, you don't want a heavy dessert.  Sometimes you want something chocolate and sweet and yummy, but you don't want to feel like you need to wear stretchy pants after.  Sometimes, you just need a pretty dessert, and sometimes you don't have a lot of time or energy to put into it.  For all those "sometimes" and more this Mint Brownie Trifle is the answer. 

Normally, I have a love/not as much love relationship with trifles.  I love how pretty they look.  I love how many it can feed, but I also don't love the mass quantities it feeds as much b/c I have a small family and therefore a lot of leftovers.  I love that trifle leftovers are delicious for days.  I don't love having so much leftover that I shouldn't (not saying I don't but that I shouldn't) bake another treat.  I love that the trifle varieties in the world are numerous.  I love not as much how most trifles have pudding and cool whip and feel so heavy.  I love that this trifle is light, just what I need after a big dinner, big lunch, mid-morning snack, or a party with lots of appetizers, and treats to try.

I also LOVE that this trifle is ridiculously easy. 

Mint Brownie Trifle
Alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com
Active time- 15 minutes
Inactive time- 45 minutes
Servings- 10-12

Ingredients: 

• 1 box brownie mix and ingredients (oil, water, and eggs)
• 1/4 cup fresh chocolate mint finely chopped or 1/2 tsp of mint extract or 1/2 cup of mint chocolate chips
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup of mint chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Make brownies according to directions on the box.  I prefer fudge or milk chocolate brownie mixes, but you can use whatever your heart desires.  
2. Before pouring brownies into a 9x9 square pan (so your brownies are thicker) stir in your chopped fresh chocolate mint or mint extract.  You can also just stir in 1/2 cup of mint chocolate chips; I have found Nestle as well as Hershey mint chocolate chips. Adding the mint to the brownies will give your trifle just a little more mint deliciousness, but it won't overwhelm the trifle.  
3. Bake brownies according to box directions.  Don't over bake the brownies; you want to lean towards softer more fudgey brownies.   
4. While brownies are cooling put the whipping cream and sugar into a mixer and whisk it on medium to high speed until peaks form.  You want the whipping cream to be soft but with some shape.  
5. Melt your mint chocolate chips using a double boiler or in the microwave.  If you do it in the microwave be sure to stir every 30 seconds to keep it from burning.  I recently learned that my microwave has a "melt chocolate" setting, which will be used now far more often than it should.  
6. Cut your brownies into small squares.  i ended up making 36 small brownies.  If your brownies are still a little warm (not hot) and not cutting the cutest you don't have to fret.  The trifle will still be pretty even though your brownies may look clumpy and/or sticking to your knife.  Plus, if it sticks to the knife you can taste the brownies for quality control purposes. 
7. Layer the trifle.  First lay down about a 1/3 of the brownies on the bottom of the bowl.  Drizzle melted chocolate over the brownies.  Top the brownies with 1/3 of the whipped cream.  Repeat the layers two more times.  Keep just a few brownies and a bit of melted chocolate to top the last layer.  Strive to make the last whipped cream and then the brownies and chocolate drizzle cute.  I find a fork or a small spoon is best for drizzling the chocolate.  
8. Keep the trifle in the fridge until ready to serve; this trifle is a great make ahead dessert.  Store the leftovers in the fridge.
9. Recipe by http://alohamoraopenabook.blogspot.com

You can get a little crazy and play a little with different trifle varieties.  The joy of using just whipped cream instead of pudding and cool whip is that the trifle will be a much lighter dessert but still be flavorful and decadent.  

Go for light... then you can eat more. :)