If you’re anything like me and have a love affair with everything peanut butter and chocolate, then you’re going to absolutely adore this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug in every bite: gooey, sweet, and packed with the perfect balance of rich peanut butter and melty chocolate. What makes this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake truly special is how effortlessly it comes together—no mixers, no fancy techniques, just layering simple yet sensational ingredients for a dessert that’s as easy as it is crave-worthy. Prepare to wow your friends and family with a slice of pure comfort and indulgence!

Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are wonderfully straightforward but so crucial for achieving that decadent, gooey, and crunchy texture contrast that makes the Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake such a standout dessert. Each component brings its own magic—creamy peanut butter adds silky richness, chocolate chips melt into luscious pockets, and the yellow cake mix bakes into a golden, crumbly top that perfectly cradles those flavors.

Yellow cake mix: Provides a sweet, buttery base and a tender crumb that bakes perfectly on top.
Creamy peanut butter: Adds deep, nutty creaminess that beautifully complements the chocolate.
Sweetened condensed milk (14 oz can): Gives the dump cake its signature gooey, rich texture and sweetness.
Mini peanut butter cups, chopped (1 cup): Offers melty, chocolate-peanut pockets that surprise every bite.
Chocolate chips (1 cup): Melt into luscious swirls, adding vibrant chocolate flavor throughout.
Melted butter (1/2 cup): Keeps the cake moist and helps create a golden, crisp topping.
Chopped Reese’s or other peanut butter candies (1 cup): Adds crunch and extra peanut butter-chocolate bursts.
Chocolate syrup (optional): Perfect for drizzling on top to add an extra touch of chocolate decadence.

How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake

Step 1: Prep the Baking Dish

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure that your cake doesn’t stick and slides out with ease once baked. This simple step goes a long way in making cleanup a breeze and helping the cake bake evenly.

Step 2: Layer the Peanut Butter Cups and Chocolate Chips

Scatter the chopped mini peanut butter cups and chocolate chips evenly across the bottom of the prepared dish. This layer creates the foundation of melty chocolate and peanut butter pockets that make every forkful irresistible.

Step 3: Drizzle with Sweetened Condensed Milk

Pour the sweetened condensed milk generously over the candy layer. This ingredient is key because it lends the dump cake its signature gooey, caramel-like richness that ties all the sweet layers together.

Step 4: Add Dollops of Creamy Peanut Butter

Using a spoon, drop dollops of creamy peanut butter evenly over the condensed milk. These dollops will melt into luscious pockets during baking, creating a rich, nutty flavor burst throughout the cake.

Step 5: Sprinkle the Yellow Cake Mix

Without stirring, sprinkle the entire box of yellow cake mix evenly over the peanut butter and milk layers. This dry cake mix will bake into a light, golden crust that contrasts perfectly with the gooey layers below.

Step 6: Pour Melted Butter

Finally, pour the melted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix. This step is essential for moistening the dry cake mix and helping it bake into a rich, crisp topping.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Bake your dump cake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is beautifully golden brown and you see bubbling along the edges. Let it cool slightly before serving, so the layers set just enough to scoop perfectly.

Step 8: Add Final Touches

Sprinkle extra chopped peanut butter candies on top of the warm cake and drizzle with chocolate syrup if you want to amp up the chocolate factor. This finishing touch not only looks stunning but adds delightful texture and melt-in-your-mouth sweetness.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake

Garnishes

I love topping the Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the rich sweetness. A sprinkle of chopped nuts or extra peanut butter cups on top makes it look festive and inviting, perfect for impressing guests.

Side Dishes

This dump cake pairs wonderfully with a fresh fruit salad or a simple berry compote, which adds a bright contrast to the rich, decadent flavors. A cup of coffee or milk is also a classic pairing that complements the dessert beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving individual portions in small jars or ramekins for a charming presentation that’s perfect for parties or potlucks. You can also layer it with whipped cream and crushed peanut butter cups in parfait glasses for an elegant twist on this classic dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once fully cooled, cover the cake with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well at room temperature for a day but store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to preserve freshness and prevent the peanut butter from getting too oily.

Freezing

The Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly in foil and place it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and warm slightly before serving for that fresh-baked feel.

Reheating

To enjoy leftovers warm, microwave individual slices for about 20-30 seconds or reheat in a 300°F oven covered with foil for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. Adding a scoop of ice cream on top after reheating is always a winning idea!

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, but natural peanut butter has a different texture and may be less creamy, which can affect how the dollops melt in the cake. For the best gooey pockets, creamy peanut butter works best.

Is it necessary to grease the baking dish?

While the melted butter on top helps prevent sticking, lightly greasing the dish ensures the cake releases easily without tearing or sticking to the pan.

Can I substitute the yellow cake mix with another flavor?

Absolutely! Chocolate or devil’s food cake mix can add an extra chocolate boost, but keep in mind the flavor will change. Vanilla or yellow mix provides a neutral base to highlight the peanut butter and chocolate.

Can I make this dessert dairy-free?

You can try using dairy-free butter alternatives and check for vegan-friendly cake mix and chocolate chips, but the texture and flavor might vary slightly. It’s worth experimenting for those with dietary restrictions!

Is the sweetened condensed milk necessary?

Yes, it’s critical for that rich, gooey texture that defines a dump cake. Without it, the dessert won’t have the same luscious consistency.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a show-stopping dessert that’s super easy to make and packed with all the glorious flavors of peanut butter and chocolate, the Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is your new best friend. This recipe will have you diving into bowls of comforting gooey goodness in no time, impressing everyone with minimal effort. Give it a try—you might just find it becoming your go-to for every celebration or cozy night in!

Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 13 reviews

Author: Zoe
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is a rich and indulgent dessert combining layers of creamy peanut butter, chocolate chips, and chopped peanut butter candies. With a simple layering method using boxed yellow cake mix and sweetened condensed milk, this no-fuss cake offers a gooey, chocolatey, and nutty treat that’s perfect for potlucks, parties, or any sweet craving.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup chocolate chips

Wet Ingredients

1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup butter, melted

Candy

1 cup mini peanut butter cups, chopped
1 cup chopped Reese’s or other peanut butter candies

Optional

Chocolate syrup (for drizzling)

Instructions

Preheat and prepare the dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent the cake from sticking.
Add candy layer: Evenly scatter the chopped mini peanut butter cups and chocolate chips across the bottom of the greased baking dish, creating a rich candy base.
Drizzle condensed milk: Pour the entire can of sweetened condensed milk evenly over the candy pieces to add sweetness and moisture.
Dollop peanut butter: Spoon dollops of creamy peanut butter evenly throughout the dish. This adds gooey, nutty pockets inside the cake.
Sprinkle cake mix: Evenly layer the dry yellow cake mix over the top without stirring. This creates the cake base layer that will bake into a soft topping.
Pour melted butter: Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the top of the dry cake mix. This helps the cake bake with a golden, crispy crust.
Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. This signals the cake is cooked through.
Cool and garnish: Let the cake cool slightly. Then sprinkle the extra chopped Reese’s or peanut butter candies on top and drizzle with chocolate syrup, if desired, before serving.

Notes

Use creamy peanut butter for smooth pockets of flavor; chunky peanut butter may alter texture.
For an extra fudgy cake, sprinkle additional chocolate chips halfway through baking.
Allow the cake to cool a bit to help it set and make slicing easier.
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To make this dessert gluten free, use a gluten free yellow cake mix.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of cake)
Calories: 410
Sugar: 38g
Sodium: 250mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: peanut butter cup dump cake, easy dump cake, peanut butter dessert, chocolate peanut butter cake, no fuss dessert