Ingredients
- 1 box dark chocolate fudge cake mix (prepared with oil, eggs, and water as directed on the box)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups, unwrapped and cut in halves
Instructions
- Prepare Your Oven and Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Make the Cake Base:
- In a large mixing bowl, prepare the dark chocolate fudge cake mix according to the box instructions (adding the oil, eggs, and water).
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish and set it aside.
- Prepare the Peanut Butter Mixture:
- In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, softened butter, peanut butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture evenly over the chocolate cake batter.
- Lightly swirl and spread the peanut butter mixture around, leaving a marbled effect.
- Add Toppings:
- Sprinkle the halved Reese’s peanut butter cups and chocolate chips over the top of the cake.
- Bake the Cake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out mostly clean (a little gooey is fine for this style of cake).
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Q&A
Q: Can I use a different type of cake mix?
- Yes, milk chocolate or peanut butter chocolate cake mix would work well if dark chocolate isn’t available.
Q: How can I make it more peanut buttery?
- Add an extra 1/4 cup of peanut butter to the cream cheese mixture or sprinkle peanut butter chips on top along with the chocolate chips.
Q: Can I freeze this cake?
- Absolutely! Let the cake cool completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Why We Love It
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake is a dessert lover’s dream! It’s rich, gooey, and loaded with layers of chocolate and peanut butter goodness. The creamy peanut butter swirls, melted chocolate chips, and chunks of Reese’s cups create a texture explosion that pairs perfectly with a warm slice of cake and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s easy to make and guaranteed to impress everyone at the table. A truly « YUMMY » treat! 🍫🥜