Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake Recipe
A decadent, rich chocolate and peanut butter cake with a gooey, layered center, topped with chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for an indulgent, nostalgic dessert experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 1 box (450 g) chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil (can substitute with melted coconut oil)
- 3 large eggs
Peanut Butter Swirl
- 1 cup (250 g) creamy peanut butter
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Toppings
- 1 cup (170 g) Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chopped
- Optional: extra Reese’s peanut butter cups or chocolate chips for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Using an electric mixer at medium speed, blend until smooth and well combined, about 2 minutes.
- Prepare Peanut Butter Swirl: In a separate bowl, mix the creamy peanut butter, softened cream cheese, melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Assemble Cake Layers: Pour the cake batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture over the batter, then use a knife or spatula to swirl it gently throughout the batter, creating marbled pockets.
- Add Toppings: Evenly sprinkle the chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top of the swirled batter.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs but no raw batter.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool slightly in the pan, about 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Optional: dust with powdered sugar or serve with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce for extra indulgence.
Notes
- For a richer chocolate flavor, use a dark chocolate cake mix.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter and better texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake light and fluffy.
- You can substitute crunchy peanut butter for creamy for added texture.
- Try adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to intensify the chocolate flavor.
- Allow the cake to cool properly to help the gooey center set.
- For a fun variation, experiment with different chocolate chip types or swap Reese’s for other candy bars like Snickers.
Keywords: Reese’s, Peanut Butter Cake, Chocolate Cake, Earthquake Cake, Dessert, Indulgent Cake, Peanut Butter Cups
