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Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake

Close-up of a decadent slice of reeses peanut butter cup earthquake cake showing dark chocolate layers and peanut butter filling.
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Make this rich and decadent chocolate cake that features layers of peanut butter, cream cheese, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups that sink during baking for a gooey, layered texture.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup cold water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chopped
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter chips (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients for the cake mix: cake mix, flour, granulated sugar, and baking soda.
  3. Add the wet ingredients: cold water, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed with an electric mixer until just combined. Do not overmix.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
  5. In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until fully incorporated. Mix in the 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter until the mixture is uniform.
  6. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture randomly over the top of the cake batter.
  7. Sprinkle the chocolate chips, chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and peanut butter chips (if using) evenly over the top of the batter and cream cheese dollops.
  8. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean. The cake will sink in spots and the toppings will create gooey pockets.
  9. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • For an extra gooey texture, you can drizzle a simple chocolate glaze over the cooled cake.
  • Use room temperature cream cheese for the easiest mixing of the cream cheese layer.
  • Chop the Reese’s cups slightly smaller than bite-sized so they distribute better.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/reeses-peanut-butter-cup-earthquake-cake/