Description
This indulgent Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake features a rich chocolate cake with gooey peanut butter cream cheese swirls and pockets of melted Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. A showstopper dessert perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 1 box of chocolate cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water per box instructions)
- ½ cup butter, melted
- For the Creamy Peanut Butter Swirl:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup peanut butter (creamy works best)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- For the Toppings:
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, halved
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch glass baking dish (glass works best for even heat distribution).
- Prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the instructions on the box (typically water, oil, and eggs). Once the batter is smooth, pour it into the greased baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and melted butter until smooth and creamy. Add the peanut butter and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until the mixture is thick and fluffy (almost frosting-like).
- Spoon dollops of the peanut butter cream mixture over the cake batter, creating swirls on top. Do not mix it in—let the swirls bake to create the signature earthquake pattern.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips and halved Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups over the top. Some can be gently pressed into the batter, but leave some on top for visual appeal.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, until the edges are set, the top is slightly cracked, and the center is firm but may still jiggle slightly.
- Let the cake cool slightly before serving. You can enjoy it warm and gooey, or cool it for cleaner slices.
Notes
- This cake is best served warm for the gooey, melty texture, but can also be cooled for neater slices.
- You can substitute crunchy peanut butter for a different texture in the swirl.
- For extra peanut butter flavor, add chopped peanuts on top as a garnish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 50g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
