Name: Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box chocolate cake mix; 1 cup water; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 3 large eggs; 1 cup creamy peanut butter; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted; 4 cups powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chopped

Jump to Recipe

If you’re searching for a dessert that’s as decadent as it is irresistible, the Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is your dream come true. This ultra-moist cake brings together rich chocolate, gooey swirls of peanut butter and cream cheese, and a crowning layer of chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Each forkful is a riot of flavors and textures—think fudgy, creamy, and a little bit crunchy all at once. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, potluck, or just a Tuesday night, this cake always gets rave reviews and disappears almost instantly!

Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is how it turns everyday pantry items into something extraordinary. Every ingredient has a part to play in building the cake’s bold flavors and dramatic, swirled appearance.

Chocolate cake mix: The base of our earthquake cake is a classic box mix, making things both foolproof and deliciously chocolatey.
Water: Hydrates the batter for a luscious crumb without weighing it down.
Vegetable oil: Ensures the cake stays moist and soft even after cooling.
Large eggs: Bind the batter and help it bake up tall and tender.
Creamy peanut butter: Each scoop brings that creamy, salty-sweet peanut butter goodness we all crave.
Cream cheese (softened): Adds rich tang and silkiness to the peanut butter swirl filling.
Unsalted butter (melted): A touch of butter keeps the filling smooth and totally indulgent.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens up the peanut butter-cream cheese mixture to perfect dessert-level bliss.
Vanilla extract: Ties all the flavors together and adds a boost of warmth.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (chopped): The ultimate finishing touch—bits of chocolate and peanut butter in every single bite!

How to Make Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly, either with butter or cooking spray, so that every inch of this glorious cake releases easily for the big reveal.

Step 2: Mix the Chocolate Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the chocolate cake mix, water, vegetable oil, and eggs until the mixture is smooth and all lumps vanish. Don’t overmix—just stir until everything is combined and glossy. Pour the batter into your greased baking dish and smooth the top gently with a spatula.

Step 3: Make the Peanut Butter-Cream Cheese Swirl

Grab a separate bowl (and maybe a loved one nearby to sneak a taste). Combine the creamy peanut butter, softened cream cheese, melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat everything together until the filling is velvety, fluffy, and uniform—think dreamy, peanut buttery clouds.

Step 4: Swirl the Goodness

Drop generous spoonfuls of the peanut butter-cream cheese filling over the unbaked chocolate batter. Take a butter knife and gently swirl the filling through the cake batter, creating beautiful marble-like ribbons. No need to be precious here—the messier, the better for that famous “earthquake” effect!

Step 5: Add the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Now, take your chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and scatter them evenly over the entire surface of the cake. Press them down very lightly so they nestle among the swirls. This is where the real fun happens, and every slice ends up with signature peanut butter cup pieces.

Step 6: Bake

Bake the cake for 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s perfect when the top looks set and a toothpick poked in the center comes out mostly clean—gooey spots from the swirl are just what you want! The kitchen will smell like pure chocolate-and-peanut-butter heaven.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before slicing into generous squares. You can serve it slightly warm, when the swirls are melty, or at room temperature for a firmer bite—either way, it’s a peanut butter lover’s fantasy come true!

How to Serve Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake

Garnishes

If you want to take things up a notch, dust the top of each slice with a little extra powdered sugar or a flourish of shaved chocolate. A dollop of freshly whipped cream makes a dreamy pairing as well, helping to balance the cake’s rich sweetness.

Side Dishes

Because Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is so flavor-forward, serve it alongside something cool and simple. A glass of icy milk, a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream, or even a refreshing cup of coffee creates just the right balance and makes dessert feel special.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving the cake in individual jars for picnics, or layer cubes into clear glasses with whipped cream for a decadent trifle. Don’t forget to sprinkle extra mini Reese’s Cups or drizzle with warm peanut butter—or, turn it into bold cake pops for the ultimate party treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftover Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It keeps beautifully at room temperature for about a day, but in the fridge, it will stay fresh and fudgy for up to 4 more days.

Freezing

If you somehow have extra cake, you can absolutely freeze it! Cut into squares, wrap each piece well in plastic, then in foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw slices overnight in the refrigerator (or a few hours at room temp) for best taste and texture.

Reheating

To recapture the irresistible gooeyness, microwave individual servings of the cake for 10-15 seconds. It warms the peanut butter and makes the chocolate even more luscious, just like freshly baked.

FAQs

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

Absolutely! If you have a favorite from-scratch chocolate cake recipe, it will work wonderfully for Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake. Just make sure the batter is enough for a 9×13-inch pan, and follow the rest of the instructions as usual.

What’s the best way to chop Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups?

For clean, chunky pieces, refrigerate them first so the chocolate is firm. Use a sharp knife and a gentle sawing motion to avoid squashing the cups—this way, you get perfect bits in every bite of the cake.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Definitely! Swap the regular cake mix for your favorite gluten-free chocolate cake mix and double-check that all other ingredients are gluten-free. The peanut butter and cream cheese mixture will be just as dreamy.

Is it possible to reduce the sweetness?

If you prefer a less sweet cake, reduce the powdered sugar in the peanut butter-cream cheese swirl down to 3 cups, or use dark chocolate Reese’s Cups for a richer, more bittersweet finish.

Does Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake need to be refrigerated?

Since the cake contains cream cheese, it’s safest to store it in the fridge if you won’t eat it the same day. Just cover tightly and let slices come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Final Thoughts

There’s something incredibly satisfying about sharing a big pan of Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake with friends or family. It never fails to surprise and delight, turning even the simplest occasions into celebrations. If you love chocolate and peanut butter, this is the recipe that deserves a spot in your baking hall of fame—so go ahead and bake up a sweet little earthquake today!

Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 25 reviews

Author: Ella
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the decadent delight of Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake, a rich and creamy dessert that combines the irresistible flavors of chocolate, peanut butter, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in every bite.

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 the prepared dish.
Prepare Peanut Butter Mixture: In another bowl, mix peanut butter, cream cheese, melted butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Add Peanut Butter Swirl: Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter mix over the cake batter and swirl with a knife.
Add Topping: Sprinkle chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups evenly over the top.
Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Cool and Serve: Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

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