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Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 81 reviews
  • Author: Zoe
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

Description

This Indulgent Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake is a rich and decadent dessert combining moist chocolate cake infused with instant chocolate pudding and packed with chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. The cake is topped with a creamy peanut butter and powdered sugar drizzle before baking, then frosted with a peanut butter frosting and finished with more peanut butter cup pieces for an over-the-top chocolate-peanut butter treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

  • 1 standard chocolate cake mix
  • 3 large eggs
  • Water (use brewed coffee for a richer flavor, quantity as required by cake mix instructions)
  • 1 package instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 6–8 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chopped

Peanut Butter Drizzle

  • Creamy peanut butter (or crunchy for texture), amount about 1/2 cup
  • Powdered sugar, about 1/2 cup

Peanut Butter Frosting

  • Peanut butter, approximately 1/2 cup
  • Powdered sugar, about 1 cup
  • Milk, 1-2 tablespoons (to achieve spreadable consistency)
  • Additional chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent the cake from sticking.
  2. Mix Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, eggs, and water (or brewed coffee). Stir until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the cake tender.
  3. Incorporate Pudding Mix: Fold the instant chocolate pudding mix evenly into the cake batter to enhance moisture and richness.
  4. Add Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: Chop 6-8 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and gently fold them into the batter, distributing them evenly.
  5. Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly for uniform baking.
  6. Prepare Peanut Butter Drizzle: In a separate bowl, mix creamy peanut butter with powdered sugar until smooth. Drizzle this mixture in a zigzag pattern over the cake batter.
  7. Bake the Cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool Before Frosting: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes to allow it to set slightly.
  9. Prepare and Apply Frosting: Mix additional peanut butter with powdered sugar and milk until smooth and spreadable. Once the cake has cooled, spread this frosting evenly over the top.
  10. Garnish: Sprinkle additional chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups over the frosted cake for extra texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Using brewed coffee in place of water intensifies the chocolate flavor of the cake.
  • You can substitute crunchy peanut butter if you prefer added texture in the drizzle and frosting.
  • Adjust powdered sugar quantities in frosting to achieve your preferred sweetness and consistency.
  • Ensure not to overmix the batter to maintain a light and tender cake texture.
  • Let the cake cool sufficiently before frosting to prevent melting and sliding of the frosting.
  • This cake is best served slightly warm or at room temperature.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Reese's, Chocolate Cake, Peanut Butter Cup, Earthquake Cake, Dessert, Chocolate Peanut Butter Dessert

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Find it online: https://cookingwithzoe.com/reeses-chocolate-peanut-butter-cup-earthquake-cake-recipe/