Hey fellow food lovers! Nyla from Grill Drip here, ready to share my absolute favorite comfort food creation that’s guaranteed to turn any meal into a celebration. Get ready for the Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake, a dessert so decadent, so gooey, and so packed with peanut butter chocolate goodness that it’ll make you do a happy dance! This cake is more than a recipe; it’s an experience, a flavor adventure, a weeknight winner that doesn’t skimp on taste. Prepare to dive into a world where peanut butter and chocolate collide in the most spectacular way. Come join me and let’s make some delicious magic happen!

I’ve always been a fan of taking classic recipes and giving them a Grill Drip twist – something bold, something satisfying, something that leaves everyone wanting more. The Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake was born out of my love for the dynamic duo of peanut butter and chocolate and a desire to create the ultimate comfort food dessert. It started as a happy accident, a late-night kitchen experiment involving a box of cake mix, a jar of peanut butter, and a whole lot of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. The result? A gooey, decadent masterpiece that’s become a family favorite.

What makes this Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake so special is the way the different flavors and textures come together. You’ve got the moist, chocolatey cake base, swirled with creamy peanut butter, and studded with chunks of melted Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. It’s pure peanut butter chocolate heaven! This isn’t your average cake; it’s an earthquake of flavor that’s sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. It’s the kind of dessert that turns an ordinary weeknight into something special, and I can’t wait to share it with you. Let’s get baking!

INGREDIENTS You Need

This Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake ingredient list is all about bold flavors that actually work together! Don’t worry if you don’t have everything on hand; I’ve got some easy swaps that will still give you that amazing peanut butter chocolate flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to create this masterpiece:

1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix: Any brand will work, so grab your favorite.
1 cup sour cream: This adds moisture and tang to the cake. If you don’t have sour cream, plain Greek yogurt works just as well!
1/2 cup vegetable oil: Canola oil is also a great substitute.
4 large eggs: Make sure they’re at room temperature for best results.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: This enhances all the flavors.
1 cup creamy peanut butter: I prefer creamy, but chunky works too if you like the extra texture.
1 cup powdered sugar: For the peanut butter swirl.
1/4 cup milk: To help create a smooth peanut butter swirl.
12 Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, chopped: This is the star of the show! You can grab these during your normal shopping trip.
Optional: Additional Reeses Peanut Butter Cups for topping: Because why not?
Optional: Chocolate sauce: For drizzling over the top.
Optional: Peanut butter chips: Adds an extra layer of peanut butter goodness.

Ingredients for Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake laid out on a counter

This Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake gets its amazing taste from the combination of the rich chocolate cake, the creamy peanut butter swirl, and the chunks of melted Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. Here’s my secret that takes it from good to incredible: don’t skimp on the peanut butter! I love adding a little extra to my peanut butter swirl for that extra kick.

As for prep shortcuts for busy weeknights, you can chop the Reeses Peanut Butter Cups ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. You can also mix the peanut butter swirl ingredients in advance and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the cake. If you love peanut butter as much as I do, you can whip up a batch of these Butternut Squash Pancakes for a quick and easy breakfast. Remember to store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week. Enjoy!

Let’s Make Some!

Alright, fellow food lovers, let’s get down to the delicious magic of making this Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake! I’m going to guide you through each step as if we’re cooking together in my kitchen, sharing all my tips and tricks along the way. Get ready for an earthquake of flavor!

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. This is super important to prevent the cake from sticking.
In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, sour cream, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. Don’t overmix; just make sure everything is nicely incorporated. In my kitchen, this usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.
Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan. Spread it out evenly. This is where the magic starts happening!
In a separate bowl, combine the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and milk. Mix until smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk. I love adding a pinch of salt to my peanut butter swirl to balance out the sweetness.
Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture over the cake batter. Don’t worry about making it perfect; the more random, the better!
Use a knife or skewer to swirl the peanut butter mixture into the cake batter. Create a marbled effect. This is my favorite part of making a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake – watch the magic happen!
Sprinkle the chopped Reeses Peanut Butter Cups over the top of the cake. Don’t be shy; load it up with those peanut butter chocolate goodies!
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. While your Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake is doing its thing, get ready for some amazing aromas! Your cake should smell absolutely incredible right now.
Let the cake cool completely before cutting and serving. This is the hardest part, I know! But trust me, it’s worth the wait.
Optional: Drizzle with chocolate sauce and sprinkle with extra Reeses Peanut Butter Cups or peanut butter chips. Because more is more when it comes to peanut butter and chocolate!

This Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake should look like a beautiful mess – cracks, swirls, and all. Don’t worry if it looks a little uneven; that’s part of the charm! Remember, happy accidents are welcome in my kitchen. If you’re looking for more chocolate and peanut butter deliciousness, check out this Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake – The Cookin Chicks. Enjoy every bite of this gooey, decadent treat!

How to Serve Up This!

Okay, so you’ve got this incredible Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake fresh out of the oven (or maybe you’re pulling it out of the fridge for a sneaky midnight snack – no judgment here!). Now, let’s talk about how to serve up this masterpiece and turn it into a truly unforgettable experience.

First off, let’s be real: this Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake is amazing all on its own. A simple slice, still slightly warm, is pure comfort food perfection. But if you want to take things to the next level, here are a few of my favorite serving suggestions:

With a scoop of vanilla ice cream: The cold, creamy ice cream against the warm, gooey cake is a match made in heaven. People literally do happy dances when this Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake hits the table with vanilla ice cream!
Drizzled with chocolate sauce and peanut butter sauce: Double the sauce, double the fun!
Topped with whipped cream and extra Reeses Peanut Butter Cups: For the ultimate peanut butter chocolate indulgence.
Served with a glass of cold milk: The classic pairing that never fails.
As a dessert for game night: This Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake is the perfect treat to share with friends and family during a fun night of games.
Brought to a potluck: Be prepared to be the star of the show!
Enjoyed on a cozy night in: Sometimes you just need a little comfort food to make everything better.

I also love getting creative with leftovers (if there are any!). You can crumble the cake and mix it into ice cream, use it as a topping for yogurt, or even turn it into a bread pudding. The possibilities are endless!

This Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake is perfect for those weeknight dinners that need to be special! I’ve even experimented with a few fusion variations, like adding a sprinkle of sea salt to the top for a sweet and salty kick, or using different flavors of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups (like white chocolate or dark chocolate) for a unique twist. The results have always been delicious! If your kids love this, they’ll go crazy for my Hawaiian Pineapple Carrot Cream Cake!

FAQs:

Alright, let’s tackle some frequently asked questions about this amazing Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake. I know you’ve got questions, and I’m here to give you all the answers!

Q: Will kitchen newbies succeed with this Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake?

A: Absolutely! This recipe is super easy and forgiving. If you can mix ingredients and follow basic instructions, you’ll be able to make this cake. Don’t be intimidated; just have fun with it!

Q: Can I use a different size pan?

A: Yes, but you may need to adjust the baking time. A smaller pan will require a longer baking time, while a larger pan will require a shorter baking time. Just keep an eye on it and use the toothpick test to check for doneness.

Q: What if I don’t have sour cream?

A: No problem! You can substitute plain Greek yogurt or even mayonnaise (yes, really!). They’ll both add moisture and tang to the cake.

Q: Can I use a sugar-free cake mix?

A: Yes, you can. Just keep in mind that it may affect the taste and texture of the cake. I recommend using a high-quality sugar-free cake mix for best results.

Q: What if I mess up my Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake? (Spoiler: it’ll still taste incredible!)

A: Honestly, it’s hard to mess this cake up! Even if it’s a little overbaked or the peanut butter swirl isn’t perfect, it will still taste amazing. It’s all about the flavor combination, and that’s hard to mess up!

Q: How can I prep this Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake for busy weeknights?

A: You can mix the dry ingredients ahead of time and store them in an airtight container. You can also chop the Reeses Peanut Butter Cups in advance. When you’re ready to bake, just add the wet ingredients and follow the rest of the instructions.

Q: Can I freeze this cake?

A: Yes, you can! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.

Q: My cake is sinking in the middle. What did I do wrong?

A: This can happen if the oven temperature is too high or if you overmixed the batter. Make sure your oven is properly calibrated and don’t overmix the batter. It’s also possible that the cake wasn’t fully baked, so be sure to use the toothpick test to check for doneness.

These questions come from my own peanut butter chocolate baking experiments and from what I’ve heard from my readers. So, don’t be afraid to try out this Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake – The Country Cook and put your own spin on things. And always remember, there’s no such thing as a perfect cake, only a delicious one!

CONCLUSION:

This Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake brings me so much joy because it’s the ultimate comfort food dessert. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and always a crowd-pleaser. It’s a reminder that you can turn something basic, like a boxed cake mix, into something incredibly special.

My Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake Flavor Secrets:

Don’t skimp on the peanut butter! I always add a little extra to my peanut butter swirl for that extra kick.
Use high-quality Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. They make a difference in the overall flavor.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Try different flavors of cake mix or Reeses Peanut Butter Cups for a unique twist.

I’ve tested a few delicious Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake variations that I know you’ll enjoy:

Chocolate Fudge Cake with Dark Chocolate Reeses: Perfect for the serious chocolate lover. You can find more recipes like this at Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake! – My Incredible Recipes.
Peanut Butter Cake with White Chocolate Reeses: A sweet and creamy delight.
Red Velvet Cake with Peanut Butter Swirl and Reeses Pieces: A colorful and festive twist.

The Chocolate Fudge version is great for birthday parties, while the Peanut Butter Cake is perfect for a cozy night in. The Red Velvet version is ideal for holidays or special occasions.

I encourage you to trust your taste buds and get creative with this recipe. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and toppings to create your own unique Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake. I’m so excited for you to try this Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake and experience the joy of peanut butter chocolate heaven! For more sanity-saving dinner ideas, check out my Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage. Happy baking, fellow food lovers! You’ve got this! Let me know how your **Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake** turns out! I can’t wait to hear about your flavor adventures! This cake is truly an earthquake of flavor that will make you do a happy dance!

Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake

Print Recipe

This decadent Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake is a rich, gooey, chocolate and peanut butter delight! It’s incredibly easy to make and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.

Author: Nyla
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix, plus ingredients called for on the box
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, halved or quartered

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Prepare the chocolate cake batter according to the package directions.
In a separate bowl, combine the sour cream, peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Beat until smooth and creamy.
Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan.
Spoon dollops of the peanut butter mixture over the cake batter.
Sprinkle the halved or quartered Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups evenly over the top.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.
Let cool completely before slicing and serving. The center will be soft and gooey – that’s the “earthquake” effect!

Notes

For an extra touch, drizzle melted chocolate or peanut butter over the cooled cake before serving. You can also add a sprinkle of chopped peanuts.