How to Make Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake: Step-by-Step Guide
Are you ready to dive into making this decadent dessert? With a few simple ingredients and a little patience, you’ll have a Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake that will become the talk of the town. Let’s get started!
Ingredients:
- 1 box of chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients specified on the package, usually eggs, water, and oil)
- 24–30 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (mini or regular size—your choice depending on the desired size of the pockets)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky, depending on your preference)
- Optional toppings: powdered sugar, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, chopped peanuts, or more peanut butter cups for garnish
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the cake mix according to the instructions on the package. This usually involves mixing the cake mix with eggs, water, and oil, and beating until smooth.
Step 2: Add the Peanut Butter Cups
- Cut the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups into quarters or halves, depending on your size preference.
- Layer the cake batter in the prepared pan, smoothing it out with a spatula.
- Place the peanut butter cup pieces evenly into the cake batter. Gently push them into the batter, but don’t worry if they’re not fully submerged—some will stay on top, creating that molten peanut butter surprise later.
Step 3: Prepare the Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Layer
- In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and melted butter until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the peanut butter to the cream cheese mixture, and blend until combined. This will create a thick, creamy mixture that will swirl into the cake during baking.
Step 4: Swirl the Peanut Butter Mixture
- Dollop spoonfuls of the peanut butter cream mixture over the top of the cake batter. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the cream cheese mixture gently into the batter, creating a marbleized effect. Don’t mix it in too much—this will create pockets of gooey peanut butter throughout the cake.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the cake is set and a toothpick comes out mostly clean (with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter). The cake will rise and crack in places, creating the “earthquake” effect as it bakes.
Step 6: Cool and Add Toppings
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. As it cools, the peanut butter cups inside will firm up a little, but the creamy pockets of peanut butter will still be melty and gooey.
- Top the cake with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of caramel sauce, whipped cream, or even chopped peanuts for added texture and flavor. If you want extra peanut butter goodness, add more mini or regular Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top.
Pro Tips for a Perfect Earthquake Cake
- Use a generous amount of peanut butter cups—the more, the better! This ensures there are plenty of gooey, melty pockets inside.
- Don’t overmix the batter when adding the peanut butter cream cheese mixture. You want those pockets of peanut butter to stay intact, so resist the urge to swirl too much.
- Check for doneness: The cake will continue to cook a little after you take it out of the oven, so be careful not to overbake. The top should look cracked, but not dry.
- Add fun, personalized touches like a sprinkle of sea salt to balance the sweetness or drizzle of melted chocolate for an extra indulgent twist.
Why This Cake Will Blow Your Mind
The Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a perfect blend of textures. The cake itself is rich and chocolatey, the peanut butter cups melt into delightful pockets of gooeyness, and the peanut butter cream cheese swirl adds an extra creamy, indulgent layer. Each bite is an explosion of chocolate, peanut butter, and sweetness, which is exactly what makes it such a crowd-pleaser.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve warm: For a more molten, gooey experience, serve the cake slightly warm, straight from the oven. The peanut butter pockets will be irresistibly gooey and drippy.
- Pair with ice cream: Top with a scoop of vanilla, chocolate, or even peanut butter ice cream for a dessert experience that’s over-the-top delicious.
Final Thoughts:
The Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a dessert that takes chocolate and peanut butter lovers to the next level. With its gooey pockets of peanut butter cups, creamy swirl, and decadent flavor, it’s perfect for parties, holidays, or just as a special treat. Don’t be surprised if everyone asks for the recipe—this cake is that good!
Enjoy your earthquake cake—and brace yourself for the sweet tremors of flavor!
Would you like additional variations, such as a peanut butter frosting topping or other fun mix-ins for the cake? Let me know how you’d like to personalize your recipe!