This Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake combines moist chocolate cake with a gooey peanut butter cheesecake swirl, making it the ultimate dessert for chocolate peanut butter lovers.
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Chances are, you have never heard of an Earthquake cake, right?! Well, the main thing to know about this cake is that it is NOT a pretty, show stopping cake. It isn’t one that you’ll enter in an appearance contest. However, it IS one that is packed with flavor, full of chocolate, peanut butter cups, and a peanut butter cheesecake mixture that will have everyone begging for a second piece. This cake comes together using a cake mix and a few other shortcut ingredients making it perfect to make any time that sweet tooth craving hits! Also try my Death by Chocolate Dump Cake and Chocolate Peanut Butter Dump Cake for more great dessert options!
Jump to:
- Why you’ll Love this recipe
- Ingredients Needed to make this easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake
- How to make Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake
- Storing this Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake
- What does this Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake taste like?
- More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake Recipe
Why you’ll Love this recipe
- Satisfies any sweet tooth craving– when that craving hits, this chocolate eruption cake recipe is the perfect recipe to try! Chocolate cake, Reese’s peanut butter cups, a peanut butter cheesecake mixture, and chocolate chips combine into the ultimate dessert.
- Easy to make– using simple, shortcut ingredients, this you already have everything needed on hand.
- Fail Proof– with simple directions, this cake is the perfect recipe for any experience level baker. Whether you want to have the kids help you, or you’re a pro in the kitchen, this cake is easy peasy!
- Perfect for any occasion– celebrating a birthday, having people over, or wanting a dessert for your family, this chocolate pb cake is just the thing to make!
- Customizable– feel free to change this cake up a bit to fit your tastes. Add or omit candy, you can use any type of cake mix, add in some raspberry, etc.
Ingredients Needed to make this easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake
Below is a brief overview of each ingredient needed for this cake. To see printable recipe card, scroll to the bottom of this post.
- Cake Mix– any type of chocolate cake mix works. I use Duncan Hines Chocolate Fudge Cake mix, but Devil’s Food works too. You will need the 13.25 ounce box chocolate cake plus ingredients listed on box (eggs, water, etc.)
- Butter– I use unsalted butter, but salted butter works too. You will melt this in the microwave and allow to cool slightly.
- Cream Cheese– room temperature so it combines with the peanut butter easily.
- Peanut Butter– creamy peanut butter, any brand works.
- Vanilla Extract– opt for pure vanilla extract versus imitation as it adds more flavor.
- Powdered Sugar– this combines with the cream cheese and peanut butter to make the cheesecake peanut butter mixture.
- Chocolate Chips– any kind works, I love using milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet.
- Reese’s Cups– the miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups are best, but if you have large cups, simply chop them up a bit.
How to make Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake
- Prepare chocolate cake as directed on box using a large mixing bowl.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and pour chocolate cake batter into pan. Set aside.
- Melt butter in microwave safe bowl.
- Add the cream cheese, peanut butter and vanilla to the butter and stir until completely smooth and creamy.
- Add in the powdered sugar.
- Once combined, use a spoon and drop spoonfuls/dollops of the peanut butter mixture onto the cake batter.
- Sprinkle the cake with chocolate chips and Reese’s.
- Bake in a preheated oven, 350 degrees, for about 45-50 minutes.
- Remove cake pan from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving! This cake can be served on it’s own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Storing this Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake
- If you have leftover cake, allow it to fully cool before wrapping with plastic wrap and storing at room temperature up to 3 days.
- To refrigerate, cover pan and place in fridge up to 5-6 days.
- To freeze, move pieces to a freezer safe container and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw before serving.
What does this Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake taste like?
This cake recipe is one that you don’t want to pass up. Basically, it is a cross between a Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava Cake recipe and Dump Cake. It has cake like consistency, but has bits of cheesecake throughout. Each bite is fudge like, ooey gooey, and includes chocolate peanut butter cups throughout. My family loves enjoying theirs with scoop of our favorite ice-cream, but if that is a bit too much sugar for you, feel free to cut the pieces small and serve on their own.
More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Bites– fudgy brownies with a creamy peanut butter sauce that is heaven in a tiny bite! The ultimate sweet treat for any occasion!
- Old-Fashioned Chocolate Oatmeal Cake– moist, rich, and full of flavor, this old fashioned dessert is perfect for any occasion and a great way to satisfy any sweet tooth craving!
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake– the ultimate dessert to enjoy for any occasion! Moist chocolate cake with a peanut butter filling, chocolate frosting, and of course, Reese’s peanut butter cups on top!
- Texas Sheet Cake– a delicious and classic dessert that is loved by many for its chocolate flavor, fudge frosting, and easy preparation. This sheet cake is a thin, flat cake made with a rich chocolate batter, baked in a jelly roll pan, and typically topped with a thick layer of incredible chocolate frosting.
- Lunch Lady Brownies– these rich, fudgy squares topped with thick chocolate frosting are pure cafeteria nostalgia. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you can whip up this classic treat and relive the joy of those unforgettable school lunchroom brownies.
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix *plus ingredients needed on box
- ½ cup butter
- 8 oz cream cheese *softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ¾ cup mini Reese's cups
Instructions
- Prepare chocolate cake as directed on box.
- Grease a 9×13 baking pan and pour batter into pan. Set aside.
- Melt butter in microwave safe bowl.
- Add the cream cheese, peanut butter and vanilla to the butter and stir until completely smooth and creamy.
- Add in the powdered sugar.
- Once combined, use a spoon and drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture onto the cake batter.
- Sprinkle the cake with chocolate chips and Reese’s.
- Bake in a preheated oven, 350 degrees, for about 45-50 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving!
Nutrition
Kitten says
so the brownie mix was ok. but cake would have been better. it still turned into ooie gooie goodness. thanks for the recipe its awesome possum
Kristin says
Glad you still enjoyed, I was quite curious about the brownies as I am a huge brownie fan! Try the cake version next time as it has a great texture!!
Kitten says
I’m going to use resse brownie mix.i will let you know
Kristin says
Great idea too! Can’t wait to hear how it turns out!!
mary says
I added a bit of milk to the peanut butter mixture and only 2 cups of powdered sugar. Added peanut butter chips to the topping.
Kristin says
Oh yum! Hope you enjoyed!!
ivynjoker says
The cream cheese gets mixed in with the butter and peanut butter 🙂
Kristin says
Yes, thanks! We have corrected the recipe, sorry about that!!
Pat Summers says
I just looked at this recipe on a different website. The cream cheese was mixed into the melted butter and then the peanut butter etc.
Kristin says
Exactly! Thanks! We have corrected the recipe, 🙂
MamaT says
Where does the cream cheese fit in to this recipe????
Kristin says
Oops, sorry about that! The recipe has been corrected, thanks!!