Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake Recipe

If you’re the kind of person who gravitates to anything with the irresistible pairing of chocolate and peanut butter, you’re in for a treat with this Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake. This decadent dessert swirls rich chocolate fudge cake with a creamy, luscious peanut butter cream cheese frosting, all studded with mini Reese’s cups and pockets of melted chocolate chips. Each forkful is happiness in dessert form—oozy, melty, and wildly indulgent. If you’re looking to steal the show at your next gathering or simply want to make an ordinary weeknight a little sweeter, this cake is pure magic!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this cake is how each simple ingredient plays a crucial role. We’re talking melty chocolate, dreamy peanut butter, and that signature creaminess—all working together for an unforgettable dessert experience. Here’s what you’ll need and why:

• Box dark chocolate fudge cake mix: The backbone of the cake, delivering rich, moist chocolate flavor without extra fuss.
• Cream cheese (softened): Gives the peanut butter layer its creamy texture and a delightful tang that balances the sweetness.
• Unsalted butter (softened): Provides richness and helps the frosting become smooth and spreadable.
• Creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient in the frosting, adding nutty, salty goodness to every bite.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and adds homemade warmth to the frosting.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese peanut butter mixture to just the right consistency.
• Chocolate chips: Pockets of gooey chocolate that melt into the cake for extra decadence.
• Miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups (halved): Bring surprise pops of peanut butter and chocolate throughout the cake—every bite differs!
• Vanilla ice cream (for serving): The perfect chilly contrast to the warm, gooey cake layers.

How to Make Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Taking a couple of extra moments to properly preheat ensures your Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake will bake evenly with those gooey pockets you crave. Go ahead and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a swipe of butter—nobody wants their glorious cake to stick!

Step 2: Prepare the Cake Batter

Grab your favorite large mixing bowl and whip up the chocolate cake mix according to the box instructions (usually you’ll need eggs, oil, and water—check your package!). Stir until smooth and glossy. Pour this dreamy batter into the greased baking dish and use a spatula to smooth the top. This is your chocolatey “earth” layer that everything delicious will rise up through.

Step 3: Make the Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, softened butter, creamy peanut butter, and a splash of vanilla extract. Once that’s ultra-smooth and luscious, slowly add powdered sugar and mix until thick and tempting. This frosting is the secret swirl that gives Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake its signature decadent rivers and pockets.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

Spoon and gently spread the peanut butter cream cheese frosting over your cake batter. Don’t worry about being perfect—a few swirls and lumps are what create those marvelous cracks and craters in every slice. Now, sprinkle on those chocolate chips and halved mini Reese’s cups, pressing them lightly into the frosting layer. Get ready for those amazing molten pools of chocolate as it bakes!

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Slide your cake into the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Begin checking at the 45-minute mark; you want a toothpick to come out with moist crumbs, not wet batter. Resist the urge to overbake, as the true joy of this earthquake cake is in its gooey, fudge-like texture.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Let the magic settle by cooling your Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake in the pan on a wire rack. Once it’s cooled down (it helps the layers set), slice generous squares and serve them warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. The combination of warm cake and cold ice cream is nothing short of heavenly.

How to Serve Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake

Garnishes

Take your slices to the next level by topping them with extra halved mini Reese’s, a sprinkle of chocolate chips, or even a light dusting of powdered sugar. A drizzle of chocolate or peanut butter sauce can turn your Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake from comforting to downright show-stopping.

Side Dishes

This cake is definitely the star, so you can keep it simple with a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream. For guests who love a little contrast, try serving with fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries—the tartness balances out the cake’s richness beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re feeling playful, cut the cooled cake into bite-sized cubes and skewer with cocktail picks for a cake-pop party tray. Another fun option is to crumble leftovers into mini parfait glasses with layers of whipped cream and more mini Reese’s—perfect for a crowd or kids’ party!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake stays delicious for up to four days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. The flavors marry together and the cake stays moist, making those “leftovers” pretty irresistible.

Freezing

For longer storage, you can freeze slices tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, then foil, for up to two months. Thaw the pieces overnight in the fridge before bringing them to room temperature or reheating.

Reheating

To recapture that fresh-from-the-oven gooeyness, pop an individual serving in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds. The chocolate chips will melt slightly, and your Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake will taste just as dreamy as it did day one.

FAQs

Can I use milk chocolate cake mix instead of dark chocolate?

Absolutely! Milk chocolate cake mix will make the cake a bit sweeter and less intense, so if you’re catering to kids or those who love extra-sweet desserts, it’s a great choice. The recipe is flexible and will still give you that iconic Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake experience.

Can I substitute regular-sized Reese’s cups?

You can! Just chop them into quarters or even smaller pieces before adding. The goal is evenly distributing the chocolate and peanut butter goodness throughout the cake, so every bite surprises you.

What’s the best way to cut clean slices?

Let the cake cool completely to room temperature before slicing, and use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts. For ultra-neat pieces, chill the cake briefly in the fridge before slicing—though serving warm is honestly hard to beat.

Is there a way to make this gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute a gluten-free chocolate cake mix for the base. Check that your other ingredients (especially the mini Reese’s and chocolate chips) are labeled gluten-free, and you won’t miss a thing.

Can I prepare any part of this recipe ahead of time?

You can mix and assemble the peanut butter cream cheese frosting up to a day ahead. Store it in the fridge, then let it soften at room temperature before spreading over your cake batter when you’re ready to bake.

Final Thoughts

If you ask me, there’s no quicker way to win lifelong fans than sharing a pan of Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake. It’s gooey, it’s over-the-top, and best of all, it’s unfussy. Give it a try soon—your spoon (and your friends!) will thank you.

Print