Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake Recipe
This decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake features a rich chocolate base topped with a luscious peanut butter and cream cheese swirl, studded with chocolate chips and mini Reese’s cups. Baked to perfection, this indulgent dessert offers a perfect blend of creamy, chocolatey, and peanut buttery flavors that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients needed on box)
- 1/2 cup butter
Peanut Butter Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Toppings
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup mini Reese’s cups
Instructions
- Prepare cake batter: Follow the instructions on the chocolate cake mix box to prepare the batter, then grease a 9×13 inch baking pan and pour the batter evenly into it.
- Melt butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup of butter until completely melted but not boiling.
- Make peanut butter mixture: To the melted butter, add the softened cream cheese, creamy peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and creamy without lumps.
- Add powdered sugar: Gradually mix in the powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture until fully combined and thickened.
- Drop peanut butter dollops onto batter: Using a spoon, drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture evenly over the chocolate cake batter in the pan.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle chocolate chips and mini Reese’s cups evenly over the top of the peanut butter dollops and cake batter.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the assembled cake for 45-50 minutes until the cake is set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and serve: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving to allow the layers to set and flavors to meld.
Notes
- Use softened cream cheese for easier mixing and smoother texture.
- You can substitute mini Reese’s cups with chopped peanut butter cups if desired.
- For extra richness, chill the cake after cooling and serve slightly chilled.
- Ensure not to overbake; the cake should be moist but fully cooked.
- The peanut butter dollops will slightly sink and swirl during baking, creating the earthquake effect.
Keywords: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake, Earthquake Cake, Peanut Butter Swirl Cake, Chocolate Dessert, Reese's Cup Cake
