Best Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake

Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a rich dessert that features a chocolate cake base topped with a creamy peanut butter and cream cheese layer.

This Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is loaded with halved Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, giving a decadent, gooey texture. I made this cake after seeing how it was baked in a video and feeling inspired to try it myself.

The main specialty of Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is the “earthquake” effect, where the cream cheese mixture sinks and swirls into the chocolate batter during baking.

I will now show step-by-step how to make this delicious Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake.

About This Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake

Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a decadent dessert featuring moist chocolate cake topped by a creamy peanut butter and cream cheese layer.

The topping sinks into the cake during baking; creating a marbled, cracked surface that looks dramatic and inviting. Chopped miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and chocolate chips are folded in, adding bursts of rich flavor and texture.

The cake offers a balance of sweet, salty, and chocolatey notes, making it irresistible. Soft, gooey, and indulgent, this dessert delights chocolate and peanut butter lovers. Baking it fills the kitchen with a rich, tempting aroma.

How To Prepare Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake?

Recipe Overview

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 servings

Kitchen Utensils

• 9×13-inch baking pan
• Mixing bowls (2)
• Electric mixer or hand whisk
• Spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife for chopping peanut butter cups

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake Base:

• 1 box (about 432 g) chocolate cake mix (or dark chocolate fudge)
• Ingredients required by the cake mix (usually eggs, oil, water – check box instructions)

Earthquake Layer:

• 225 g (1 cup) cream cheese, softened
• 125 g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 200 g (1 1/2 cups) powdered sugar
• 125 g (1/2 cup) creamy peanut butter
• 5 mL (1 tsp) vanilla extract

Add-ins:

• 180 g (12 pieces) miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chopped
• 60 g (1/3 cup) chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven and prepare the pan

Set your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray, or line it with parchment paper so the cake won’t stick.

2. Make the cake batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine your chocolate cake mix with the ingredients the package calls for usually eggs, oil, and water. Stir until everything is smooth and well mixed. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.

3. Prepare the “earthquake” topping

In another bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar, peanut butter, and vanilla extract, then mix again until everything is fully combined and fluffy.

4. Add the topping to the cake

Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese–peanut butter mixture over the chocolate cake batter. Use a spatula to gently swirl the topping into the batter, leaving some streaks and pockets to create the “earthquake” look.

5. Sprinkle on extras

Evenly scatter chopped miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and chocolate chips over the top of the cake.

6. Bake the cake

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40–45 minutes. The cake should be set around the edges but still a little gooey in the center. Once baked, let it cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving.

Nutrition Facts Of Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake

Nutrition	Amounts
Calories	550 kcal
Protein	8 g
Fat	30 g
Carbohydrates	60 g
Sugar	40 g
Fiber	3 g

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love this Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake recipe because it delivers a decadent, indulgent dessert that is both rich and comforting.

The chocolate cake is moist and tender, while the peanut butter and cream cheese topping creates gooey pockets that melt into the batter as it bakes. Chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and chocolate chips add bursts of flavor and texture in every slice.

The dramatic marbled, cracked surface makes it visually stunning, and the balance of sweet chocolate and salty peanut butter satisfies cravings like no other cake. It’s a showstopper for any dessert table.

Why My Recipe Works

This Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake recipe works because of the balance between the dense chocolate cake and the creamy peanut butter–cream cheese layer.

The cream cheese mixture is thick enough to hold its structure yet soft enough to sink slightly, creating the signature “earthquake” cracks and swirls.

Adding halved Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups ensures pockets of gooey, melty chocolate and peanut butter throughout.

Using a boxed cake mix keeps the base moist and consistent, while simple mixing and layering techniques prevent over mixing and ensure even baking, giving a tender, rich, and visually striking dessert every time.

My Favorite Ways To Serve It Up

My favorite ways to serve Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake focus on enhancing its indulgent flavors and playful texture.

I love serving it slightly warm, so the chocolate and peanut butter melt together for a gooey experience. A scoop of vanilla or peanut butter ice cream on the side adds creaminess and contrast.

Drizzling caramel or chocolate sauce over slices makes it extra decadent. For parties, I cut it into small squares and serve on a platter for easy sharing. Whipped cream or a sprinkle of crushed Reese’s on top adds a fun, crunchy finishing touch.

Expert Baking Tips

1. Start by getting the oven at the right temperature before you mix anything. Greasing and lining your baking pan ahead of time stops sticking and makes removing the cake much easier.

2. Use room temperature ingredients. Bring things like eggs, butter, and cream cheese to room temperature before mixing. Warm ingredients blend more evenly and help the batter rise properly as it bakes.

3. Measure accurately. Baking is precise, so weighing or properly leveling your ingredients ensures the batter has the right balance of wet and dry. Too much flour or too little liquid can make the cake dry.

4. Don’t over mix the batter. Once you add dry ingredients, mix just until they are combined. Too much mixing develops gluten and leads to a tougher texture rather than a soft crumb.

5. Check doneness the smart way. Ovens can vary, so start checking your cake a few minutes before the suggested time. Insert a toothpick into the center — a few crumbs are fine — and then remove when it’s done.

6. Let it rest before slicing. After baking, cooling the cake for a bit helps the layers set and keeps the cream cheese layer from oozing out when you cut it. Waiting a few minutes makes serving cleaner and nicer.

When To Serve Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake

This Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake works well for any time you want a rich, indulgent dessert. Serve it after lunch or dinner as a special treat. It is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or casual gatherings when you want to impress guests with something decadent.

A slightly warm slice can be served for afternoon snacks or coffee breaks, while chilled slices from the refrigerator make a creamy, firm option for dessert platters.

You can also serve Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake at parties in small squares so everyone can enjoy a sweet, chocolate-peanut butter indulgence.

Ways To Make Additions Extra Delicious

1. Add more chocolate: Sprinkle chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the top to make the cake even richer. Using different types, like dark or milk chocolate, adds depth of flavor.

2. Mix in chopped candy: Chop up Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, toffee, or your favorite candy bars and fold them into the batter or scatter on top for extra texture and sweetness.

3. Include nuts for crunch: Add chopped peanuts, pecans, or walnuts. Toasting them first brings out a nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with chocolate and peanut butter.

4. Swirl in extra peanut butter: Warm peanut butter slightly and drop spoonfuls on top or swirl into the batter. It creates gooey pockets of peanut butter throughout the cake.

5. Top with frosting or sauce: Finish with cream cheese frosting, whipped cream, caramel, or chocolate sauce. This adds flavor and makes each slice look extra indulgent.

Storage Instructions

Allow the Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake to cool completely before storing. Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container.

It can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days, maintaining its soft texture. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days; this keeps the cream cheese layer fresh and prevents the chocolate from becoming too soft.

To enjoy, bring the cake to room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for 10–15 seconds per slice. Do not freeze, as the texture of the cream cheese layer may be affected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

This delicious Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a treat that everyone loves and enjoys every time. After making it, I found it not only satisfying to serve but also fun to prepare.

I created this Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake to have a reliable dessert ready for any serving occasion, and each time I make it, I enjoy the rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and gooey texture.

I wanted to share my easy, step-by-step method so others can try Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake at home and experience the same joy and indulgence I do.

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