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Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake Recipe

Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 8 reviews

Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a decadent, rich chocolate cake loaded with peanut butter goodness and chunks of Reese’s peanut butter cups. Featuring a moist chocolate base combined with a creamy peanut butter layer and sprinkled with chocolate chips and candy pieces, this cake offers a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and nutty flavors. Ideal for peanut butter lovers and chocolate aficionados alike, it’s an indulgent dessert that’s easy to make and sure to impress at any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Cake

  • 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix (Devil’s Food recommended)
  • 1 cup water (room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)

Peanut Butter Layer

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter (regular, not natural)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup melted butter (salted or unsalted)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings

  • 1 cup Reese’s peanut butter cups (minis, chopped into quarters)
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate chips)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Beat together until the batter is smooth and well combined. Set aside.
  2. Mix the Peanut Butter Filling: In a separate bowl, blend the creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and creamy with no lumps.
  3. Layer the Cake and Peanut Butter Mixture: Pour half of the chocolate cake batter into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Drop spoonfuls of half the peanut butter mixture evenly over the batter. Then pour the remaining cake batter over the peanut butter filling. Use a knife or spatula to gently swirl the peanut butter filling into the cake batter.
  4. Add Toppings: Sprinkle the chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups and semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the top of the batter.
  5. Bake the Cake: Place the pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out mostly clean with moist crumbs attached.
  6. Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This allows the flavors to meld and the texture to set before serving. Slice into squares and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use room temperature eggs for better mixing and fluffier cake.
  • Regular creamy peanut butter is preferred over natural peanut butter to prevent separation during baking.
  • Salted butter adds a nice balance to the sweetness but you may use unsalted if preferred.
  • You can substitute milk chocolate chips if you want a sweeter topping instead of semi-sweet.
  • Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.

Nutrition

Keywords: Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake, Reese's Cake, Chocolate Peanut Butter Dessert, Peanut Butter Cake Recipe, Easy Cake with Peanut Butter Cups

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