Easy Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake – Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

Bylina moretti
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Introduction

This Easy Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake combines the classic flavors of chocolate and peanut butter into a warm, gooey dessert that’s simple to make. Perfect for cozy evenings or last-minute gatherings, it delivers rich indulgence with minimal effort.

A thick square slice of chocolate and peanut butter layered dessert sits on a white plate on a white marbled texture. The bottom layer is a dark chocolate brownie with bits of chocolate chips visible. The middle layer is a light brown peanut butter filling with a crumbly texture. The top layer is a mix of brownie and peanut butter swirls, covered with mini peanut butter cups and drizzled with smooth, glossy melted chocolate being poured over the dessert. Several mini peanut butter cups are scattered around the base of the slice. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix (about 430 g / 15.25 oz)
  • 1 cup (250 ml) creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup (175 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 cups (225 g) peanut butter cups, chopped
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
  2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until smooth, then spread this mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped peanut butter cups evenly over the peanut butter layer to ensure every bite is flavorful.
  4. Step 4: Evenly sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix over the top of the peanut butter and chocolate layers. Do not stir.
  5. Step 5: Drizzle the melted butter and heavy cream evenly over the cake mix, covering as much of the dry mix as possible.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle the granulated sugar over the top to help create a slightly crisp, caramelized topping.
  7. Step 7: Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is set and slightly crisp, while the inside remains gooey.
  8. Step 8: Allow the cake to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving to let the layers settle and make it easier to scoop.

Tips & Variations

  • Don’t mix the layers; the texture depends on distinct layering.
  • Use high-quality chocolate for a richer, deeper flavor.
  • Chop peanut butter cups evenly for consistent melting.
  • If you notice dry spots after sprinkling the cake mix, drizzle extra melted butter to moisten those areas.
  • Serve warm to enjoy the gooey texture best.
  • Use crunchy peanut butter for added texture.
  • Add white chocolate chips for a triple chocolate twist.
  • Substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
  • Drizzle caramel sauce between layers for a sweet caramel variation.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the cake for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds until warmed through, maintaining that signature gooey texture.

How to Serve

A thick square piece of layered dessert sits on a white plate with a white marbled texture surface underneath. The bottom layer is dark brown with a soft, crumbly cake texture mixed with visible chocolate chips. Above that, there is a creamy peanut butter-colored layer with a smooth but slightly thick texture. Another dark brown cake layer with a moist look follows, topped by a lighter peanut butter layer mixed with bits of crushed peanuts or cookie crumbs. The top is covered with a drizzle of glossy dark chocolate sauce being poured over a miniature peanut butter cup sitting in the middle. Scattered around the dessert on the plate are several small peanut butter cups, some cut to show the creamy light brown filling inside. The whole dessert looks rich and dense, with a mix of smooth and chunky textures. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes, you can experiment with other flavors like vanilla or fudge. Vanilla will create a lighter base, while fudge intensifies the chocolate. The recipe will still work well, though the sweetness and texture may vary slightly.

Why didn’t my cake mix fully cook?

This usually happens when the butter or liquids were not evenly distributed over the cake mix. Dump cakes require moisture to seep through the dry layer as they bake. To fix this, try drizzling the melted butter more evenly or adding a little more liquid next time. Tapping the pan gently before baking can also help the liquids settle.

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Easy Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake – Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 120 reviews

This Easy Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is a delightful and indulgent dessert that combines the rich flavors of chocolate and peanut butter in a simple, no-fuss recipe. With layers of creamy peanut butter, chocolate chips, chopped peanut butter cups, and a chocolate cake mix topping drizzled with butter and cream, this dump cake delivers a gooey, comforting treat that’s perfect for cozy nights, gatherings, or a quick sweet fix.

  • Author: lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix (about 430 g / 15.25 oz)
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (175 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 cups (225 g) peanut butter cups, chopped

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (250 ml) creamy peanut butter
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream

Other

  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
  2. Create the Peanut Butter Layer: In a mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Spread this evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  3. Add Chocolate Chips and Peanut Butter Cups: Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped peanut butter cups evenly over the peanut butter layer, ensuring each bite will have plenty of chocolate and peanut butter flavor.
  4. Add the Cake Mix: Evenly sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix over the top of the chocolate and peanut butter cups. Important: do not stir or mix the layers to preserve the dump cake texture.
  5. Pour Butter and Cream: Drizzle the melted unsalted butter and heavy cream evenly over the cake mix. Try to cover as much of the dry mix as possible to help it bake evenly and moisten the cake.
  6. Add Sugar for Texture: Sprinkle the granulated sugar over the top layer. This will help create a slightly crisp and caramelized topping once baked.
  7. Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is set, slightly crisp, and the inside remains gooey and moist.
  8. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. This resting time helps the layers settle and makes it easier to scoop servings.

Notes

  • Do not stir the ingredients after layering; the dump cake texture depends on distinct layers baking together.
  • Use high-quality chocolate chips for a richer taste and better melting.
  • Chop peanut butter cups evenly to allow consistent melting and texture.
  • If the cake mix appears dry in spots before baking, drizzle a little extra melted butter over those areas.
  • Serve the cake warm for best gooey texture and flavor.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
  • Reheat servings in the microwave for 20–30 seconds before enjoying.
  • For dairy-free variations, substitute plant-based butter, non-dairy milk, and dairy-free chocolate chips, ensuring the cake mix is also dairy-free.

Keywords: Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake, Easy Dump Cake Recipe, No-Mix Cake, Quick Chocolate Dessert, Layered Cake, Gooey Dessert

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