Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake
This Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake is the ultimate dessert for anyone who loves the irresistible combination of chocolate and peanut butter.
It’s a decadent, gooey, and indulgent cake that combines the rich flavor of a chocolate fudge cake with creamy swirls of cream cheese and chunks of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
The explosion of flavor in every bite will leave you craving more. Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or just for a sweet treat, this cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
1 box chocolate fudge cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box)
1 cup peanut butter chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
In a large bowl, prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the instructions on the box. This typically involves adding water, eggs, and oil to the mix and beating it until smooth.
Once the cake batter is prepared, stir in the peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, and chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
This will give your cake that extra burst of peanut butter and chocolate flavor in every bite.
Next, make the cream cheese swirl by beating together the softened cream cheese and melted butter in a medium bowl.
Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth and well-combined.
Pour the prepared cake batter into the greased baking pan, spreading it evenly. Then, spoon the cream cheese mixture in dollops over the cake batter.
Use a knife or toothpick to swirl the cream cheese mixture into the cake batter, creating a marbled effect.
Bake the cake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
The top should be lightly browned and the cake should feel firm to the touch. Keep in mind that the cake will continue to cook a little bit as it cools.
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan on a wire rack. This will allow the cake to set and make it easier to slice into portions.
For the best experience, serve the cake warm or at room temperature. You can even add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of hot fudge on top for extra indulgence.
How to Make
Making Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake is fairly simple but yields impressive results. Start with a box of chocolate cake mix, which provides a great base for your cake.
By adding peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, and chunks of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, you’re turning a regular cake into a decadent dessert.
The cream cheese swirl is easy to prepare and complements the cake’s richness with its smooth, tangy flavor.
It’s important to swirl the cream cheese mixture gently into the batter to create the signature “earthquake” effect.
Don’t overmix it, or you’ll lose that marbled look. The key is to create a blend of textures and flavors, with pockets of creamy cheese and melted chocolate throughout the cake. This cake is as visually stunning as it is delicious.
For baking, you’ll want to make sure the cake is fully set before removing it from the oven. The toothpick test is essential for checking doneness it should come out clean with no wet batter. Allow the cake to cool slightly in the pan, as it continues to firm up.
Serve this dessert for special occasions, gatherings, or any time you need to satisfy a sweet tooth.
It’s a guaranteed hit with everyone who loves peanut butter and chocolate. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate chips or add in extra Reese’s pieces for an even more indulgent treat.
Variations
If you’re looking to switch up the flavor profile, try using a different flavor of cake mix. A white cake mix or even a peanut butter cake mix could work wonderfully as the base for this dessert.
Additionally, you can substitute milk chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
For those who prefer less sweetness, you can reduce the amount of powdered sugar in the cream cheese swirl.
Alternatively, swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips for a slightly less sweet variety like bittersweet chocolate chips.
If you’re in the mood for something extra crunchy, add some crushed graham crackers to the batter for a graham-cracker crust flavor.
You can also throw in a handful of crushed pretzels for a salty contrast to the sweet cake.
In place of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, you could try using other peanut butter candy such as Butterfingers or Snickers for a different texture and flavor.
This will give the cake an unexpected twist while still keeping the chocolate-peanut butter theme.
For a more indulgent experience, top the cake with a drizzle of warm peanut butter or chocolate sauce right before serving. This will enhance the peanut butter flavor and add a bit of extra richness to the cake.
If you prefer a slightly lighter version, consider using reduced-fat cream cheese and a sugar substitute in the cream cheese swirl.
This will help make the cake a bit more guilt-free without sacrificing too much flavor.
Another variation could involve adding a layer of peanut butter frosting on top of the cake once it’s cooled. This adds an extra layer of richness and a more pronounced peanut butter flavor.
Tips
To make sure the cake comes out perfect, measure your ingredients carefully, especially when it comes to the cream cheese swirl.
You don’t want to overdo the sugar, as it could make the cake too sweet.
When adding the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and chips to the batter, be sure to fold them in gently.
Overmixing can cause the ingredients to sink to the bottom, so stir until evenly distributed.
If the cake isn’t coming out of the pan easily, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before attempting to remove it. This will help it set and prevent it from falling apart.
For the most even bake, make sure your oven is fully preheated before placing the cake in. This ensures the cake cooks evenly and rises properly.
If you don’t have an electric mixer, you can still make the cream cheese swirl by beating the ingredients with a whisk, but it will take a little more time and elbow grease.
To prevent the top of the cake from getting too dark, you can cover the cake loosely with aluminum foil for the first half of the baking time.
Serve the cake slightly warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. You can reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds if needed.
Conclusion
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake is a must-try for anyone who loves the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter.
Its rich, gooey texture, combined with the cream cheese swirl, makes it a dessert everyone will love.
The added Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups take it over the top, making this a cake that’s both decadent and unforgettable.
Whether you’re making it for a holiday, birthday, or just as a weekend treat, this cake will satisfy every sweet tooth. With its irresistible flavor and indulgent texture, it’s sure to be a hit wherever you serve it.