Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake
Irresistibly gooey, chocolaty, peanut buttery, and packed with sweet memories in every bite.
📜 Introduction
The Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is not just a dessert—it’s a decadent experience. Inspired by the classic “earthquake cake,” which is known for its rich, swirling layers and explosive flavor, this version takes it up a notch with the addition of creamy peanut butter and chunks of Reese’s candy. The result? A molten, marbled masterpiece that erupts with chocolate and peanut butter goodness in every bite.
Loved by families, friends, and every sweet tooth in between, this cake is especially beloved at potlucks, parties, and Sunday suppers. Why is it called an “earthquake” cake? Because when baked, the gooey filling cracks and shifts through the chocolate cake, just like fault lines in an earthquake!
Whether you’re baking for a celebration or just craving something comforting, this is the dessert you’ll want to keep forever. 💘
🍫 Ingredients
For the cake base:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (e.g., Devil’s Food or Fudge Chocolate)
- Ingredients listed on the cake mix box (usually eggs, oil, and water)
For the earthquake filling:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
🥄 Instructions & Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Prepare the cake batter according to the package directions. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Make the earthquake filling:
In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, melted butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. - Add the earthquake swirl:
Drop dollops of the cream cheese-peanut butter mixture over the chocolate cake batter. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the two mixtures together. Don’t overmix—aim for dramatic swirls! - Sprinkle the magic:
Evenly distribute the chopped Reese’s and chocolate chips on top of the swirled batter. - Bake for 35–45 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly but not wet. The cake should look cracked and marbled—like a true earthquake!
- Cool the cake in the pan for about 30 minutes before slicing. Serve warm for extra gooeyness or chill for firmer pieces.
🧁 History & Formation
The earthquake cake first became popular in the American South, originally made with coconut, pecans, and cream cheese layered under German chocolate cake mix. Over time, bakers across the country began to adapt the recipe, adding personal touches—like peanut butter and candy—for a modern twist.
This Reese’s version was born out of the fusion between two favorite sweets: the gooey, messy joy of an earthquake cake and the nostalgic comfort of Reese’s. The cream cheese layer replicates that beloved peanut butter cup filling, while the chocolate cake acts as a rich, warm hug.
❤️ Conclusion & Lovers’ Notes
This is the kind of dessert you’ll find people scraping the edges of the pan for. It’s a lover’s cake—made for sweethearts, best friends, kids, and everyone who appreciates the gooey things in life.
Perfect for anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, or even just rainy evenings, the Reese’s Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is more than a treat—it’s a shared moment of joy.
So don’t lose this. Save it, share it, bake it with someone you love. 💕
🫶 For the Lovers & the Sweet-toothed Method Makers:
- Serve with: Vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
- Store: In an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Warm before serving for melty joy.
- Freeze: Yes, it freezes beautifully! Wrap individual slices in cling film and foil. Reheat in microwave.
- Make it extra: Add a layer of peanut butter chips, drizzle with caramel, or top with chopped pretzels for a salty-sweet crunch.
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