Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake Recipe

Okay, real talk: if you’re here, you’ve already accepted that today is NOT a salad day. You want chocolate. You want peanut butter. You want something that basically explodes with flavor and makes your taste buds throw a party. Enter the Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake—zero fancy layers, zero frosting skills required, just pure chaotic deliciousness.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

This cake is basically a love child between a dump cake and a lava cake that ate way too many Reese’s cups. It cracks on top like an earthquake (hence the name), stays gooey in the middle, and has pockets of melted peanut butter and chocolate that will make you question every life choice that led you to eating kale. Plus, it’s idiot-proof—I’ve baked this half-asleep and it still slayed.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the cake part:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix (the fudgier, the better—devil’s food is my ride-or-die)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter if you’re feeling extra)

For the earthquake magic:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened (full-fat or we’re not friends today)
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter (Reese’s brand if you wanna go full meta)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 cups powdered sugar (yes, really)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 bag (11–12 oz) Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, roughly chopped (mini ones work too, just smash ‘em)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (because restraint is overrated)

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 pan like your life depends on it. (Pro tip: use the wrapper from the butter. Zero waste, maximum flavor.)
2. Mix the chocolate cake batter according to the box (eggs + water + oil). Pour it into the pan but DO NOT BAKE YET. Just let it chill there like it’s on vacation.
3. Beat the cream cheese and peanut butter together until smooth. Add the melted butter and vanilla—keep beating. Now slowly add the powdered sugar. It’ll look thick and glorious. Resist eating it with a spoon… or don’t.
4. Drop giant spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture all over the unbaked cake batter. Use a knife to lightly swirl it—don’t overdo it or you’ll lose the earthquake effect.
5. Scatter the chopped Reese’s cups and chocolate chips on top like you’re a dessert fairy.
6. Bake for 45–50 minutes. The edges will be set, the middle will still look a little jiggly and cracked—that’s PERFECT. Overbaking is the enemy.
7. Let it cool for at least 20 minutes (if you can wait that long). Serve warm with ice cream because obviously.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the grease on the pan—congrats, you just made Reese’s concrete.
• Over-swirling the peanut butter layer. You want pockets of goo, not a uniform mess.
• Thinking this needs frosting. It literally doesn’t. Trust the process.
• Cutting it too soon and burning your tongue. Worth it? Yes. Painful? Also yes.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• Gluten-free? Use a GF chocolate cake mix—works like a charm.
• Nut allergy? Sunflower seed butter + chocolate sunbutter cups. Still slaps.
• Want it less sweet? (Who are you?) Cut the powdered sugar to 2½ cups.
• No Reese’s? Regular peanut butter cups or even chopped Snickers. I won’t tell the purists.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! It’s actually better the next day when the flavors get cozy. Reheat a square in the microwave for 20 seconds and thank me later.

Is it supposed to look messy and cracked?

That’s the whole vibe, babe. Perfection is boring.

Can I use natural peanut butter?

You can, but the oil separation makes it weird. Stick to the classic stuff.

Help, my middle is still liquid after 50 minutes!

Your oven might run cool—give it 5 more minutes or just call it lava cake and eat it with a spoon. No judgment.

Any way to make it healthier?

LOL. No. Eat a carrot tomorrow.

Can I double this recipe?

Only if you have a bigger pan and zero self-control. (I believe in you.)

Final Thoughts

Look, life is short and jeans have stretchy waistbands now. Make this Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake, take a ridiculous photo of the gooey middle, and tag your friends who need this in their life. You’ll be a hero, your kitchen will smell like heaven, and honestly? You deserve this sugar coma.