M&M’s Oreo Trifle: Easy No-Bake Dessert

There’s something magical about desserts that bring together iconic flavors in unexpected ways. This M&M’s Oreo Trifle is exactly that kind of magic in a bowl! The first time I made this colorful, layered treat for a family gathering, it disappeared before I could even announce dessert was served. The combination of crunchy Oreo cookies, colorful M&M’s candies, velvety chocolate pudding, and billowy whipped cream creates a symphony of textures and flavors that’s simply irresistible.

What I love most about this trifle is how it transforms simple, store-bought ingredients into something that looks impressively elaborate. The contrasting layers of dark Oreo crumbs against the creamy pudding, punctuated by the colorful pop of M&M’s, creates a dessert that’s as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat.

Why This M&M’s Oreo Trifle Works

This trifle has become my go-to dessert for potlucks and family gatherings for several compelling reasons:

• No baking required! Perfect for hot summer days or when you need a quick dessert
• Make-ahead friendly – actually improves with a few hours of chilling time
• Customizable layers – adjust proportions to suit your preference
• Visually stunning – beautiful enough for special occasions
• Kid and adult approved – appeals to the chocolate lover in everyone

The magic happens as the layers sit together in the refrigerator. The Oreo crumbs slightly soften from the moisture of the pudding, creating that perfect cookie-meets-cake texture that makes trifles so special. Meanwhile, the M&M’s maintain just enough crunch to create textural interest in every spoonful.

Ingredients You’ll Need

 

For the Layers:

• 1 pack (14 oz) Oreo cookies, crushed (about 36 cookies)
• 1 cup M&M’s (any variety – I love using the classic colors for visual appeal)
• 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 box (3.4 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk

For Garnish:

• Extra crushed Oreos
• Extra M&M’s
• Chocolate syrup drizzle (optional, but highly recommended!)

The Art of Creating the Perfect M&M’s Oreo Trifle

Step 1: Prepare Your Components

First things first: crushing those Oreos! I’ve found that the food processor creates the most consistent texture, but don’t worry if you don’t have one. A zip-top bag and a rolling pin work wonderfully too – plus, it’s a great way to release any pent-up energy! Leave some larger chunks for texture rather than pulverizing them into dust.

For the pudding layer, whisk together the instant chocolate pudding mix with cold milk until smooth. The pudding will set up in about 5 minutes – you want it thick but still smooth enough to spread. Pop it in the refrigerator while you prepare the whipped cream.

Pro Tip: Using very cold heavy cream helps it whip up faster and hold its shape longer. I often place my mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 10 minutes before whipping the cream!

Step 2: Whip the Perfect Cream

In a large bowl, combine the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until soft peaks form, then increase to high speed just until stiff peaks appear. Be careful not to over-whip, or you’ll end up with butter!

The whipped cream serves two purposes in this recipe: half gets folded into the pudding to create a mousse-like filling, while the other half creates distinct cream layers. This dual approach gives the trifle varied textures throughout.

Baker’s Insight: Folding whipped cream into the pudding creates a lighter, more luxurious texture than pudding alone. The key to successful folding is using a large rubber spatula and a gentle hand—think of it as incorporating air, not mixing.

Step 3: Create Your Masterpiece

Now comes the fun part – assembly! Start with a layer of crushed Oreos at the bottom of a trifle dish or individual serving glasses if you’re going for a more personalized presentation. The dark cookie crumbs create a stunning foundation for your layers.

Next, add a generous layer of the chocolate pudding mixture, followed by a layer of pure whipped cream. Then sprinkle a handful of colorful M&M’s over the cream. The candies will sink slightly into the whipped cream, creating pockets of crunchy chocolate goodness throughout.

Continue layering until you’ve used all your ingredients, ideally finishing with a layer of whipped cream on top. This creates a beautiful canvas for your garnishes.

Creative Variation: For holidays or special occasions, consider using seasonal M&M’s colors to theme your trifle! Red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or team colors for game day celebrations.

Step 4: The Grand Finale

For the finishing touch, sprinkle additional crushed Oreos and M&M’s on top just before serving. If you’re feeling particularly decadent (and when is that ever a bad thing with dessert?), add a drizzle of chocolate syrup across the top. The syrup will create beautiful patterns as it runs down through the layers.

Let your masterpiece chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. I’ve found that 4-6 hours is the sweet spot, giving the flavors time to meld while maintaining textural contrast.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

One of the greatest attributes of this M&M’s Oreo Trifle is its make-ahead potential. In fact, I often prepare this dessert the night before serving, allowing all those wonderful flavors to mingle and marry.

The trifle can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before serving. If making significantly in advance, I recommend waiting to add the final garnishes until just before serving to maintain their visual appeal and texture.

Leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any!) can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, though the layers will continue to soften over time. In my house, however, leftover trifle for breakfast the next day is considered quite the treat!

Customization Ideas

While this classic version is hard to beat, this M&M’s Oreo Trifle recipe welcomes creativity:

• Cookie Variations: Try golden Oreos or chocolate chip cookies instead of traditional Oreos
• Pudding Options: Substitute white chocolate or butterscotch pudding for a different flavor profile
• Candy Choices: Experiment with peanut M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, or chopped candy bars
• Adult Version: Add a splash of Kahlúa or Baileys to the pudding layer for a grown-up twist
• Healthier Take: Use Greek yogurt in place of some of the whipped cream for added protein

Serving Suggestions

This M&M’s Oreo Trifle makes a stunning centerpiece dessert for casual gatherings and celebrations alike. I love serving it in a clear glass trifle bowl to showcase all those beautiful layers. For dinner parties, individual serving cups elevate the presentation and eliminate serving issues.

The trifle pairs wonderfully with a strong cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. If serving after a heavy meal, consider smaller portions – this dessert is delightfully rich!

Final Thoughts

What began as a simple experiment combining two beloved treats – Oreos and M&M’s – has become one of my signature desserts. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about these familiar flavors coming together in a new way, creating a dessert that appeals to the kid in all of us while still feeling special enough for celebrations.

I hope this M&M’s Oreo Trifle brings as much joy to your table as it has to mine. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just because it’s Tuesday, this colorful, creamy, crunchy creation is sure to become a requested favorite!

Recipe FAQ

Can I make this trifle without dairy? Yes! You can use non-dairy milk for the pudding and coconut cream for the whipped layers. Just be sure to chill the coconut cream overnight before whipping.

How far in advance can I make this? For the best texture, I recommend making it up to 24 hours in advance. The flavors will continue to develop while maintaining textural contrast.

Can I freeze leftover trifle? I don’t recommend freezing this dessert as the texture of the whipped cream and cookies will change significantly upon thawing.

How can I make this for a smaller group? Simply halve all ingredients and use smaller serving dishes. Individual mason jars make perfect single-serving containers!

My pudding isn’t thickening properly. What went wrong? Make sure you’re using very cold milk and the instant (not cook-and-serve) variety of pudding. Whisking vigorously also helps activate the thickening agents.

Now, let’s gather our ingredients and create some magic with this showstopping M&M’s Oreo Trifle!

Print