If you’re ready to turn every sweet craving into a chocolatey celebration, you’ll want to meet your new dessert obsession: Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake. This decadent treat explodes with gooey chocolate, melty peanut butter, and the unmistakable charm of Reese’s cups, all swirled together into a cake that’s every bit as dramatic as its name. One bite and you’ll understand why it’s my go-to for bake sales, birthdays, or any day that needs a little extra magic.

Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the building blocks for this cake couldn’t be easier, but don’t let the simplicity fool you—every ingredient is carefully chosen for maximum flavor, texture, and that addictive “just one more bite” quality. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one deserves a starring role:

Dark chocolate fudge cake mix: Gives the base of the cake its rich chocolate flavor and dreamy, moist crumb.
Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): Adds tang and creamy body to the peanut butter swirl for that iconic marble effect.
Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Brings richness and helps the cream cheese and peanut butter transform into a smooth, luscious layer.
Creamy peanut butter (1/2 cup): Delivers signature peanutty depth and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that keeps every forkful interesting.
Vanilla extract (1 tsp): A little vanilla enhances every flavor note, tying together chocolate and peanut butter in perfect harmony.
Powdered sugar (4 cups): Sweetens and thickens the peanut butter-cream cheese mixture, making it perfectly spreadable over the batter.
Chocolate chips (1/2 cup): Satisfying pops of extra chocolate throughout the cake, perfect for indulgent bites.
Miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups (1 cup, halved): The irresistible signature of this cake—these get melty and gooey in the oven, making each piece extra special.
Vanilla ice cream (for serving): Optional, but highly recommended for a cool, creamy contrast to each warm bite.

How to Make Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

This is the first (and maybe the hardest) step, because you’ll have to wait for your kitchen to fill with chocolatey aromas. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and take a moment to grease a 9×13-inch baking dish—trust me, you don’t want any precious cake sticking to the pan.

Step 2: Prepare the Cake Batter

In a large bowl, prepare your dark chocolate fudge cake mix according to package instructions. This usually means mixing in oil, eggs, and water. Whisk it all up until it’s smooth and glossy, then pour the batter into your greased dish, smoothing it out so it reaches all the corners. This is the fudgy foundation for the whole Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake adventure.

Step 3: Make the Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Grab a separate bowl and blend together the cream cheese, softened butter, creamy peanut butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is dreamy and silky. Next, gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing as you go so you end up with a thick, creamy, peanut buttery frosting that’s irresistible on its own (try not to eat it all with a spoon!).

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

Spoon generous dollops of your peanut butter cream cheese frosting onto the chocolate cake batter in your dish. Don’t worry about making it perfect—this cake is all about beautiful chaos. Use a knife to swirl the two layers together for that signature “earthquake” look. Scatter chocolate chips and those halved Reese’s cups on top, gently pressing them into the batter so they bake right into every bite.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Slide the assembled cake into your preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean—just make sure not to overbake; a little gooeyness makes it that much more delicious. Let your Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake cool on a wire rack (the hardest wait of all, I promise!)

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Once your masterpiece has cooled completely, slice it into squares and serve each piece with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. That warm-cold contrast is absolutely heavenly and really lets those classic flavors sing.

How to Serve Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake

Garnishes

For presentation that’s as mouthwatering as the cake itself, you can sprinkle extra chopped Reese’s cups or a handful of mini chocolate chips over the top just before serving. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a pretty drizzle of chocolate syrup works wonders if you want to get fancy, especially for birthdays or special occasions!

Side Dishes

Since this cake is a chocolate-peanut butter bombshell, keep the sides simple. A bowl of fresh strawberries or sliced bananas brings brightness and a juicy counterpoint, while a mug of hot coffee or an ice-cold glass of milk is practically non-negotiable for anyone feeling decadent.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake at a party, cut it into mini squares and stack them on a tiered dessert stand. Or, try layering small cubes of cake with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream in parfait glasses for a jaw-dropping dessert trifle—talk about eye-catching!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake (if you’re lucky enough to have any) should be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay moist and delicious for up to five days, making midnight snacking dangerously easy.

Freezing

This cake actually freezes beautifully! Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then stash them in a freezer-safe bag or container. When cravings strike, thaw a piece on the counter for a few hours or in the fridge overnight. The flavors meld even more after a rest in the freezer.

Reheating

To enjoy the cake warm, pop a slice in the microwave for about 10 to 20 seconds. The chocolate gets gooey, the Reese’s cups soften, and the whole thing tastes oven-fresh—especially with a fresh scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Absolutely! While the dark chocolate fudge cake mix is classic for Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake, you can try milk chocolate, devil’s food, or even a peanut butter cake mix for an extra layer of nuttiness.

Is there a substitute for cream cheese?

If you need a cream cheese alternative, mascarpone works well and offers a similar tang and creaminess. Just avoid using whipped toppings, as the texture won’t be as luscious.

How do I make this if I only have full-size Reese’s cups?

Just chop the full-size Reese’s cups into generous chunks—no need to be precise! Bigger pieces will create melty pockets throughout the cake, which is a very good thing.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute your favorite gluten-free chocolate cake mix, and double check that all your other ingredients are certified gluten-free. The rest of the recipe remains unchanged.

Do I need to refrigerate the cake?

Because of the cream cheese layer, it’s best to keep Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake in the fridge if you’re not planning to serve it within a few hours. It will keep its texture and flavor perfectly chilled.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to wow your family and friends (or just treat yourself to something out-of-this-world), Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake is the answer. It’s simple, stunning, and always gets rave reviews—give it a try, and don’t forget to share the love!

Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 18 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the decadent delight of Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake. This rich and creamy dessert features layers of dark chocolate fudge cake, topped with a luscious peanut butter cream cheese frosting, and finished with a generous sprinkling of chocolate chips and mini Reese’s peanut butter cups. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth cravings!

Ingredients

Scale

Cake:

1 box dark chocolate fudge cake mix

Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar

Toppings:

1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 cup miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups (halved)
vanilla ice cream (for serving)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, prepare the chocolate cake mix according to package instructions. Pour the batter into the greased baking dish and spread evenly.
Make the Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting: In another bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, peanut butter, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until thick and creamy.
Assemble the Cake: Spread the frosting over the cake batter in the dish. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and halved Reese’s, pressing them gently into the frosting.
Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Avoid overbaking.
Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American