A couple of months ago, I got my very own copy of a beautiful new book that is basically the best cookbook idea ever.
The book is a Glorious Layered Desserts, and it’s the best idea ever, because layered desserts have it all. Seriously, you get layers of goodies. Usually there’s something like ice cream or pudding, then you get the treat of cake, brownies, or cookies, and lastly, there’s almost always whipped cream. Not to mention sprinkles, candy, or other goodies. For real. Genius.
My friend Glory, of Glorious Treats, is the smarty pants behind this book, but she didn’t need a whole book to prove her brilliance – just visit her blog, and you’ll be inspired ’till the cows come home. Really really.
As I paged through Glory’s book, I didn’t struggle at all to decide what recipe to make first. It had to be the Caramel Brownie Trifle. I mean, chocolate, brownies, whipped cream, and caramel? No-brainer.
That said, the book is chock-full of gorgeous photos and user-friendly recipes, so after I made these brownie trifles, I agonized over what to make next. Fortunately, I’ve got lots of time, so I’ve been having fun trying lots of the other recipes.
My very favorite thing about Glory’s book is that it’s not just recipes, it’s ideas. It’s full of layered dessert ideas that Glory provides all of the recipes for, but if you’re short on time, or find anything intimidating, many of the great layered desserts in the book can be made using pre-made and store-bought ingredients. I love that it’s customizable to each person’s skill level!
As for this recipe, it’s incredibly delicious. I made it twice. The first time, using Glory’s fantastic recipes, and the second time, I tried out some of my own recipes as a substitution.
Yes. That’s right. I made this entire recipe, from start to finish, two separate times…for just two people. And we enjoyed every last bite. Sorry, not sorry. You won’t be either. But before you get cooking, don’t forget to enter below to win a signed copy of Glorious Layered Desserts!
Enjoy!
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons, plus 1 teaspoon corn starch
- 2 cups milk
- 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 recipe brownies
- 1 recipe salted caramel sauce
- 3 to 4 toffee candy bars, such as Heath OR sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or other candy
- To make the pudding: in a small bowl, whisk the sugar and corn starch together; set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the milk and chocolate. Heat over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate has melted.
- Add the sugar mixture to the heated milk mixture, whisking vigorously until fully incorporated.
- Continue to cook, whisking often, until the mixture thickens.
- Bring to a boil, and boil for one minute, whisking constantly.
- Remove pan from heat, and stir in the butter and vanilla until combined.
- Continue slowly stirring for one minute or so, to help pudding cool.
- Can be served warm, or cool fully. To prevent a skin from forming on the surface, lay a piece of plastic wrap on the surface of the pudding. Refrigerate to cool completely.
- To make the whipped cream: In a medium bowl, or the bowl of a standing mixer, whisk the cream and sugar together on high speed. Once peaks begin to form, add the vanilla and continue whisking until stiff peaks form.
- Prepare brownies as directed.
- Prepare caramel sauce as directed.
- Assemble: add a layer of chocolate pudding on the bottom of the dish (or dishes). Add a layer of brownie pieces and top with a layer Os whipped cream. Sprinkle with candy and drizzle with caramel sauce. Repeat layering the ingredients until the dish is full.
And the winner is…
Congratulations, Virginia!! There is nothing predictable about chocolate. Must. Have. 😉 I’ll be contacting you soon to get your shipping info!!
**Now… who wants their very own copy of Glory’s beautiful book?!**
It’s easy! Just answer the following question in the comment section below:
“What ingredient does your favorite layered dessert *have* to have?” There’s no wrong answer – it could be brownies (like me!), or ice cream…anything you love. I can’t wait to see what you guys come up with!
Contest ends Tuesday, October 7th, 2014 at midnight EST, and you’re automatically entered to win with your comment!
Want an extra chance to win? Just follow @Bakingdom on twitter and tweet, “I want to win a copy of @GloriousTreats’ beautiful book, Glorious Layered Desserts, from @bakingdom!” Once you’ve tweeted, return here and leave a comment saying you shared the tweet. Be sure to leave this as a separate comment; each comment is an entry.
This giveaway is open to U.S. and International readers.
The winner will be chosen randomly at www.random.org and announced Wednesday, October 8th, 2014.
I will contact the winner, so don’t forget to add your email in the email section!
**Comments are moderated, so if you’ve never commented before, it will take some time for your comment to appear!**
Good luck with the giveaway!
xo,
Darla

Chocolate is a must!
Some form of chocolate, definitely!
I love anything with sweetened condensed milk!
whipped cream…I could eat a whole bowl of it
I love layered dishes with something crunchy-like toffee pieces!
Chocolate, of course!
Some sort of custard or pudding… and whipped cream on top!! 🙂
Whipped Cream. I feel that it just lightens all the layers!
REAL whipped cream made from heavy cream. I’m obsessed. I grew up in a Cool Whip household, and learning that you can whip heavy cream has rocked my world. And now I like to cover everything with it. ALL THE THINGS! COVER THEM IN CREAM! 🙂
Definitely chocolate of some sort, and whipped cream.
Caramel. Mmmmmm…….
CHOCOLATE 🙂
Something that crunches, like chocolate chips or Heath bar pieces!
I love Strawberry shortcake Trifle with whipped cream!!!
It has to have chocolate mousse!
Lots of caramel!!
Everything is better with chocolate!
tweeted: https://twitter.com/justtellmewhen/status/517910099470581761?lang=en
Whipped cream, real, delicious, thick & light & fluffy whipped cream!!! 🙂
Whipped cream! No wait, chocolate! No wait, caramel! Oh Darla, please don’t make me choose. Oh wait, you didn’t! 😉
Chocolate!
Brownies definitely. thanks! I love the jars you use.
I love the different textures of each layer, be it soft, crunchy, smooth, fluffy!
I love berries
caramel! it just makes everything yummier!
Caramel!
My money-back guaranteed brownies are a must.
chocolate!!!! ohoh and sprinkles. o0o0o0o chocolate sprinkles!
Chocolate, caramel and whipped cream!!
Homemade whipped cream 🙂
Some kind of pudding. =)
My favorite layered dessert has chocolate pudding & a peanut butter chip sauce! So stinking good!
Love a layered dessert with choc mousse
Passionfruit!
lots and lots of whipped cream!!!
I love the crunchy layer in desserts!
My favourite is the creamy layer, whether it be whipped cream or ice cream. Essential!
Has to have caaaaaaake!
Peanut butter is a must!
Something crunchy!
Ice cream!
My initial thought was chocolate, but then it hit me: streusel of some sort. It’s pretty much a must.
Whipped cream! Without a doubt
I tweeted about the giveaway! (@hazeleyedkar)
Caramel or butterscotch!
Dulce de leche, for sure!
It has to be some form of chocolate bar or magic stars
Caramel makes everything better 😉
Chocolate in whatever form – brownies, mousse, hot fudge sauce… 😀
Marshmallow Fluff, and Hot Fudge!
Chocolate 😉
Chocolate.
Chocolate and salted caramel is my latest addiction! Love Trader Joe’s Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Butterscotch Caramels! I have to make this dessert!
Chocolate
Coconut! That or salted caramel 😉
Cereals, nuts and berries
Whipped cream!
Chocolate. It has to start with chocolate.
I was going to say custard, but really a layered dessert requires whipped cream (never cool whip!)
I tweeted! @RobynInTheRain
And I tweeted!!
My late sister whom i’d lost to cancer loves chocolate.so it has always been chocolate for me..always..n may she rest in peace..
Three things I love in a dessert. White Chocolate , Raspberries and Pitacshio’s..
Definitely marshmallows! 😉
Ooh, it’s got to be butterscotch sauce!
My “must have” would also have to be brownies. Best. Thing. Ever. Then if you want to add M&Ms that would be fine by me!
Darla, it’s good to see you posting again! I catch your Facebook and Twitter posts, but y’know, blog.
I also Tweeted! @cjtippy on Twitter
Salted caramel is the best
Some form of cream, whipped on its own or swirled with mascarpone, custard….oh yeah!
Anything with chocolate is fine by me!
ANYTHING with Carmel in it!!! Chocolate is ok too!!!! LOL. Thanks for the amazing recipes!!!!!!
really…its amazing…I’ll try definatly…
I would most definitely have to have warm fudgey brownies… mmm yummy!!!
Almond extract, or ground almonds
Chocolate sauce!
whipped cream!
Caramel. Preferably salted caramel, but regular will do!
i think chocolate is my ‘must have’…or maybe salted caramel sauce…or whipped cream…
Anything with a crunch- nuts, toffee bits, chocolate chips. LOvely giveaway!
Chocolate! And brownies!,, best ingredients ever!
brownies!!a must! 🙂
Salted Caramel Sauce!
Brownies!! And preferably something peanut butter too.
anything with brownies, chocolate, whipped cream, and salted caramel has to be good! Need to try this recipe this weekend!
Chocolate, caramel and brownies- perfect trio!
For me, mango always appeals when it comes to layered desserts. But caramel never fails. 🙂
My favorite layered dessert is in fact tiramisu, but I’d love to make one with chocolate chip cookie crumbs! Mhh, that would be delicious.
Definitely chocolate, and preferably with hazelnuts too!
Sprinkles or some other kind of topping (like a cherry, or sauce) is a total must for a layered dessert. Why would you layer the desert and not the topping?
Whipped cream for sure! 🙂
I tweeted, too.
I was gonna say chocolate, but then I thought of a layered dessert I’ve made before with vanilla sauce and apple pie crust and cinnamon… And I realized that as long as it’s sweet it has the potential to be awesome, and there’s an incredible amount of ingredients that can be varied and combined to provide the most amazing taste sensations. So sugar! ^^
brownies! oh my last meal will hopefully be a brownie so it’s only fitting that they are the requirement for my layered deserts! cant wait to make the ones above for a party this weekend.
It’s gotta be chocolate. I’m flexible; it can be cake, brownies, fudge, ice cream — or all of the above! But there needs to be chocolate, or I just can’t.
These trifles do look tempting… is it bad that I’m imagining substitutions to make them more chocolatey? Chocolate whipped cream, fudge sauce…
It has to have that thick gooey caramel you get from boiling condensed milk….yummy!
..something crunchy like caramellized almonds to add the surprise factor =)
Ice cream
Cherrys! Definitely cherrys.
Caramel!
Tweeted! @ ekl81
Something chocolate! Brownies, chocolate cake, hot fudge, straight up chocolate… it all sounds good to me.
That looks delicious!! Sorry if that’s too predictable, but I would absolutely need some chocolate!! 🙂
chocolate!
Chocolate sweet chocolate
This looks heavenly!! I can’t wait to try it!
Chocolate chips, caramel sauce and cream… Usually with hot chocolate brownies, sometimes with cherries…. Yummy
Hi. My favorit is apple 😀
Chocolate! And roasted nuts are nice, too …
Chocolate for sure!
It must have chocolate, and salted caramel, and pretzels, and…this could go on forever!
I have to have something crunchy for texture contrast. Shortbread or Digestive biscuit layer (graham crackers in the US, I believe!)
Tweeted, shared and fingers are now crossed!
Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate!!!! If you add in caramel or peanut butter, I’m putty in your hands. How in the world did I end up marrying a vanilla guy?
I would love to add rocky road to it with ice cream
Brownies are always a good idea!
Tweeted as well! Thanks!
Choclate in any form and I’m good!
Something chocolate
Chocolate
Caramel
A dessert for me needs to have sugar free pudding… before diabetes, it was chocolate!!!!
Some kind of crunch, whether it’s cookie crumbs or toffee bits. It balances the fluffy whipped cream and other soft ingredients.
A combination of chocolate and peanut butter!
Fruit