Reeses Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake

If you’re a fan of chocolate and peanut butter, this Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is about to become your new obsession. Imagine layers of rich chocolate cake, gooey peanut butter filling, and creamy peanut butter frosting, all coming together in a dessert so indulgent it feels like pure heaven in every bite. This cake is a showstopper for birthdays, holidays, or weekend indulgences, offering both flavor and visual drama.

What makes this cake so irresistible is the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The moist chocolate cake forms a decadent base, while pockets of peanut butter provide gooey richness that contrasts beautifully with the soft cake layers. Topped with chocolate ganache and chopped Reese’s candies, it’s as much a visual treat as a flavor explosion.

Unlike ordinary chocolate cakes, the “earthquake” effect comes from the melting peanut butter layer that sinks into the cake during baking, creating a unique, marbled, indulgent interior. This is not just a cake; it’s an experience.

Why You’ll Love This Cake

1. Chocolate-Peanut Butter Perfection: Classic Reese’s flavors in cake form.
2. Moist & Gooey: Chocolate cake stays soft while peanut butter filling melts beautifully.
3. Eye-Catching Presentation: The “earthquake” effect makes it look like a bakery masterpiece.
4. Party-Worthy: Great for celebrations or impressing guests.
5. Flexible: Can be made in a 9×13 pan or as a layered round cake.

Ingredients

• 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients required on box)
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: whipped cream or additional chopped Reese’s for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Prepare cake batter according to box instructions. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan.
3. Make peanut butter filling: In a medium bowl, beat peanut butter, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Drop spoonfuls of peanut butter mixture over the cake batter, gently spreading without fully covering. Sprinkle half the chopped Reese’s candies on top.
5. Pour remaining chocolate cake batter over the peanut butter mixture and gently smooth the top. Sprinkle with remaining chopped Reese’s.
6. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean (peanut butter pockets may make it slightly gooey).
7. Prepare ganache: Heat heavy cream until simmering and pour over chocolate chips, stirring until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cake.
8. Cool completely before slicing. Optionally, top with whipped cream and extra chopped Reese’s for an extra decadent touch.

Tips for the Perfect Earthquake Cake

• Use creamy peanut butter for smooth melting into the cake.
• Don’t overmix the cake layers; you want the “earthquake” effect to remain visible.
• Let the cake cool before slicing, otherwise the peanut butter may ooze out too much.
• For extra indulgence, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake

This Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a decadent chocolate and peanut butter layered dessert with gooey peanut butter pockets and chopped Reese’s. Perfect for parties and celebrations!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 12 slices

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 540

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 box chocolate cake mix plus ingredients required on box
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• optional whipped cream or extra chopped Reese’s for garnish

Equipment

• 9×13 baking pan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk or electric mixer
• Spatula

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line 9×13 pan.
2. Prepare cake batter according to box instructions. Pour half into pan.
3. Beat peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Drop spoonfuls over cake batter and sprinkle half the chopped Reese’s.
4. Pour remaining cake batter over peanut butter mixture, smooth top, sprinkle remaining Reese’s.
5. Bake 35–40 minutes until toothpick comes out mostly clean. Cool completely.
6. Prepare ganache: heat heavy cream and pour over chocolate chips, stirring until smooth. Drizzle over cake.
7. Optional: garnish with whipped cream and extra chopped Reese’s. Slice and serve.

Notes

Let cake cool before slicing for best results. Can be made as layered round cake for extra height.

Creative Variations

• Nut-Free Version: Use sunbutter or cookie butter instead of peanut butter.
• Layered Round Cake: Bake in two 9-inch round pans for a taller presentation.
• Chocolate Ganache Swirl: Add a few swirls of peanut butter into the ganache for extra flair.

Serving Ideas

• Birthday Dessert: Cut into generous squares, perfect for chocolate-peanut butter lovers.
• Holiday Treat: Decorate with festive Reese’s candies or holiday sprinkles.
• Potluck Favorite: Easy to transport and always a crowd-pleaser.