If you’re searching for a show-stopping dessert that’s equal parts decadent, gooey, and irresistible, look no further than Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake. This treat is the ultimate celebration for chocoholics and peanut butter lovers alike, featuring swirls of creamy peanut butter, luscious cream cheese, and exploding pockets of melted Reese’s Cups throughout a rich chocolate base. Every bite is a delightful “earthquake” of flavors and textures, making it a standout choice for gatherings, celebrations, or just a well-deserved treat for yourself!

Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list for Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake proves that sometimes, the best desserts are built from the simplest staples. Each item here adds a unique layer of flavor, texture, or lusciousness—resulting in a cake that’s beautifully complex yet a breeze to whip up.

Chocolate cake mix: Kicks off the recipe with a rich, chocolatey foundation that keeps things easy and consistent.
Water: Brings moisture to the cake batter, ensuring your cake won’t turn out dry or crumbly.
Vegetable oil: Helps make the cake super moist and tender—don’t skimp for best results!
Large eggs: Essential for binding everything together and helping the cake rise with a soft, fluffy crumb.
Creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient for those iconic, salty-sweet swirls that run throughout the cake.
Cream cheese (softened): Teams up with peanut butter to create a dreamy, tangy filling that melts into the chocolate cake.
Unsalted butter (melted): Adds incredible richness and allows the peanut butter swirl to become ultra creamy.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens the swirl filling and helps it achieve a smooth, easy-to-spread consistency.
Vanilla extract: Just a touch gives depth and warmth to the peanut butter swirl, complementing the chocolate base.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (chopped): The crowning glory! These melt into gooey patches and add unbeatable peanut butter-chocolate bursts in every bite.

How to Make Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a good grease with butter or nonstick spray to prevent sticking later. A little prep here makes serving neat, picture-perfect slices a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Chocolate Cake Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Use a hand mixer (or some strong arm muscles with a whisk) to beat everything together until the batter is smooth with no lumps left. Pour this luxurious batter evenly into your prepared baking dish, ensuring it reaches all the corners.

Step 3: Make the Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Swirl

Grab a second bowl and add the creamy peanut butter, softened cream cheese, melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat this mixture until it’s creamy and thick—avoid over-mixing, just enough so everything is smooth and spreadable.

Step 4: Swirl in the Magic

Drop generous spoonfuls of your peanut butter mixture all over the chocolate cake batter. Now the fun part: use a knife to gently swirl the two mixtures together, creating gorgeous ribbons that run through the cake. Don’t overdo it—those big pockets of peanut butter are part of what makes Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake so special!

Step 5: Add the Reese’s Cups

Scatter the chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups evenly over the top of the cake. As it bakes, these pieces will sink just slightly and become little melty treasures you’ll discover in every bite.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the dish on the center rack and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are fine, but you don’t want raw batter). The cake should have glorious cracks and swirls throughout the top.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cake cool slightly before diving in—it’s fantastic while still warm, but also holds up beautifully at room temperature. The swirls settle, and the Reese’s Cups become decadently gooey. Serve with ice cream or just on its own!

How to Serve Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake

Garnishes

For a dramatic finishing touch, you can shower your Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake with extra chopped Reese’s Cups, a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce, or even a flurry of mini chocolate chips. A light dusting of powdered sugar also looks lovely and adds a hint of extra sweetness.

Side Dishes

This cake is plenty rich on its own, but it’s over-the-top delicious served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream, or a cold glass of milk. For a peanut butter lover, a spoonful of extra creamy peanut butter on the side takes things to a new level!

Creative Ways to Present

Cut the Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake into neat squares for a clean look at potlucks and parties. Want to elevate it further? Try layering warm cake cubes in parfait glasses with whipped cream and extra candies, or serve as cupcakes for easy individual portions. You can even slice the cake warm and serve it “volcano-style” with ice cream and a little hot fudge for a truly dramatic dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To store leftover Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container. The cake stays wonderfully moist for up to 4 days in the refrigerator—just bring it to room temperature or warm gently before enjoying.

Freezing

If you need to freeze this cake, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and place them inside a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep nicely for up to 2 months. When a craving hits, just thaw a piece in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a couple of hours.

Reheating

For that just-baked experience, pop a slice of cake in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. The filling will become gooey again, and the chocolate and peanut butter flavors will be as vibrant as ever. If reheating straight from the refrigerator, you may need a few extra seconds—just watch closely so you don’t overheat.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will bring an extra level of texture to your Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake, making each bite a little more exciting. Just be aware the swirls might not be quite as smooth, but that’s part of the fun.

Do I have to use boxed cake mix?

No, you can absolutely make your own homemade chocolate cake batter if you prefer. The boxed mix just simplifies things and gives consistently great results, which is why it’s a favorite for this recipe.

How do I tell when the cake is done baking?

A toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean, with a few moist crumbs clinging on. You want to avoid baking until fully dry, as the cake will continue to set as it cools, and a gooey texture is part of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake magic.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes! Swap in your favorite gluten-free chocolate cake mix and ensure all other ingredients (like the peanut butter cups) are certified gluten-free. The results will be just as delicious and indulgent.

What’s the best way to cut neat slices?

Let the cake cool slightly so the fillings can firm up a bit before cutting. For extra clean lines, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between slices—this will glide through those gooey swirls with ease!

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s for a birthday bash, a family celebration, or just a well-deserved treat at home, Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is always a hit. The bursts of peanut butter, ribbons of cream cheese, and melty pockets of Reese’s Cups make every bite a delightfully messy celebration. Give this recipe a try and share the joy—it’s bound to become one of your absolute favorites!

Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 23 reviews

Author: Olivia
Total Time: 50-55 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the decadent goodness of Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake. This rich, chocolatey cake is swirled with a creamy peanut butter mixture and topped with chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for the ultimate dessert experience.

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Mix Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine chocolate cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Pour into prepared dish.
Prepare Peanut Butter Mixture: In another bowl, mix peanut butter, cream cheese, melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Swirl: Drop spoonfuls of peanut butter mixture over cake batter and swirl with a knife.
Add Topping: Sprinkle chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups over the top.
Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American