The Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is an indulgent dessert that truly lives up to its dramatic name. Imagine rich chocolate cake swirled generously with creamy peanut butter, cream cheese frosting, and chunks of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups that melt into gooey pockets of flavor. This cake is a celebration of texture and taste, delivering a spectacular peanut butter and chocolate experience that’s perfect for any celebration or cozy night in. Whether you’re a peanut butter lover or simply craving an unforgettable chocolate treat, the Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a showstopper that will quickly become a pantry favorite.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients for the Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is delightfully straightforward. Each component plays an important role, from the moist cake base to the luscious peanut butter swirl and the irresistible candy topping that makes this dessert truly pop.

Chocolate cake mix: Provides the base with moist crumb and rich chocolate flavor, making preparation quick and easy.
Water: Hydrates the cake mix ensuring perfect texture and consistency.
Vegetable oil: Adds moisture and keeps the cake tender and soft.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and give structure to the cake.
Creamy peanut butter: Brings that classic nutty punch and creamy texture in the swirl.
Cream cheese, softened: Adds tanginess and smooth richness to complement the peanut butter.
Unsalted butter, melted: Enhances flavor and helps create a luscious peanut butter mixture.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the peanut butter swirl perfectly.
Vanilla extract: Provides warm, sweet notes that enhance all the flavors.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chopped: The star topping offering bursts of chocolate-peanut butter goodness with every bite.

How to Make Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake

Step 1: Prepare Your Bakeware and Batter

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. In a large bowl, mix the chocolate cake mix with water, vegetable oil, and eggs until everything is fully combined and smooth. This batter forms the moist, chocolatey foundation that will contrast so beautifully with the peanut butter topping.

Step 2: Mix the Peanut Butter Swirl

In another bowl, blend together creamy peanut butter, softened cream cheese, melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and well incorporated. This mixture is the magic swirl that creates the “earthquake” effect, with creamy ribbons that ripple throughout the cake, creating irresistible pockets of flavor.

Step 3: Combine Swirl and Cake Batter

Pour your chocolate cake batter into the prepared dish. Then drop spoonfuls of your peanut butter mixture evenly over the top. Grab a knife and gently swirl the peanut butter mixture into the cake batter with sweeping motions to create a marbled effect — this is the heart of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake’s signature texture.

Step 4: Add the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Sprinkle chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups over the swirled cake batter, scattering them evenly for little bursts of melty chocolate and peanut butter in every bite. These delightful chunks elevate the cake from everyday dessert to a fun and festive treat.

Step 5: Bake Your Cake

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean, with just a few moist crumbs. The edges should be set while the interior stays soft and luscious. Let the cake cool slightly before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to settle beautifully.

How to Serve Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake

Garnishes

To really make your Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake shine, consider topping slices with a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. A few whole or chopped Reese’s cups sprinkled over the individual servings can add an extra wow factor for presentation and flavor.

Side Dishes

This cake is so decadently rich it pairs perfectly with simple sides. Fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream balance the intensity and provide refreshing contrasts, while a glass of cold milk or hot coffee complements the flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving this cake at a party, cut it into bite-sized squares and arrange on a platter with toothpicks for a fun, shareable dessert option. You can also layer portions with whipped cream and additional peanut butter cups in a trifle dish for a striking visual and a delicious variation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once baked and cooled, cover any leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Your Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake will stay moist and flavorful in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making it a great option to prepare in advance.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months for a convenient treat that’s ready when you are — just thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Reheating

Reheat individual portions in the microwave for about 20 seconds to bring back that warm, gooey texture reminiscent of a freshly baked dessert. Alternatively, let slices come to room temperature, which also enhances the cake’s flavors.

FAQs

Can I use homemade chocolate cake instead of a box mix?

Absolutely! A homemade chocolate cake batter works wonderfully and will add a personal touch to your Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake. Just ensure it has a slightly dense texture to hold the swirl without sinking.

What if I don’t have Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on hand?

No worries, you can substitute with chopped peanut butter chocolate bars or even regular chocolate chips, though the iconic Reese’s flavor is part of the cake’s charm.

Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, simply use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix and ensure your other ingredients are gluten-free. The rest of the recipe stays the same and still yields a delicious cake.

Can I make this cake vegan or dairy-free?

This cake contains eggs, cream cheese, butter, and dairy in the candy, so it would require significant substitutions. Vegan cream cheese and butter replacements exist, and there are also peanut butter cups made without dairy if you want to experiment.

How long should I wait before cutting into the cake?

For best results, let the cake cool for at least 20 to 30 minutes so the peanut butter swirl sets nicely and the cake slices cleanly. It tastes great warm or at room temperature!

Final Thoughts

If you are craving a dessert that combines classic flavors with an exciting twist, the Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is calling your name. It’s a rich, satisfying, and downright fun cake to make and share with friends or family. Give it a try and watch everyone’s faces light up with every decadent bite!

Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 10 reviews

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

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Description

This Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a decadent and irresistible dessert combining rich chocolate cake with creamy peanut butter swirls and chunks of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. The moist chocolate base paired with a luscious peanut butter cream cheese mixture creates an indulgent treat perfect for any peanut butter and chocolate lover.

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and set it aside.
Mix Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs. Stir them together until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
Prepare Peanut Butter Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix the creamy peanut butter, softened cream cheese, melted unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
Swirl Peanut Butter Mixture: Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture over the chocolate cake batter in the pan. Using a knife or a skewer, gently swirl the peanut butter mixture into the cake batter to create a marbled effect.
Add Reese’s Topping: Sprinkle the chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups evenly over the top of the swirling peanut butter and cake batter.
Bake the Cake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake; it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached.
Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly before slicing. This cake is delicious served warm or at room temperature. Enjoy the rich combination of chocolate and peanut butter!

Notes

Make sure the cream cheese is softened to ensure a smooth peanut butter mixture without lumps.
Use creamy peanut butter for the best texture and swirl effect.
Chopping the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups into small pieces helps distribute the peanut butter flavor throughout the cake.
You can store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Reheat slices gently in the microwave for a warm, gooey texture.

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

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of the cake)
Calories: 480
Sugar: 45g
Sodium: 320mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake, peanut butter swirl cake, chocolate peanut butter dessert, cream cheese peanut butter cake, easy chocolate cake recipe