Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake 🍫
A decadent dessert combining the irresistible flavors of chocolate and peanut butter, with minimal effort involved!
Introduction:
The Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is a sweet, indulgent treat that delivers a perfect harmony of chocolate and peanut butter. It’s an easy-to-make dessert that’s great for chocolate lovers, especially those who can’t resist the combo of chocolate and peanut butter. Whether you’re preparing for a last-minute gathering or just craving a quick dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth, this dump cake is an absolute crowd-pleaser. With its rich texture and gooey center, it’s like eating a peanut butter cup in cake form. The best part? You don’t have to be a baking expert to make it. Just dump the ingredients in the pan and bake!
Ingredients:
- 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix (you can use any brand or flavor of your choice)
- 1 box (3.4 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (for a chunkier texture, you can also use crunchy)
- 1 ½ cups milk (whole milk is recommended, but any kind works)
- 1 cup mini peanut butter cups, chopped or halved (or any size you prefer)
- ½ cup butter (melted)
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream (for that extra creamy finish)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for added flavor depth)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray or butter.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix and chocolate pudding mix. Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Add the wet ingredients: Add in the milk and melted butter to the dry mixture. Mix until just combined. You don’t need to overmix – it’s okay if it’s a bit lumpy.
- Layer the peanut butter: Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared baking pan. Using a spoon, drop spoonfuls of peanut butter over the batter and swirl gently with a knife for marbled effect. This will create pockets of creamy peanut butter throughout the cake.
- Bake the cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the cake still looks a little gooey in the middle, that’s okay – it will set up as it cools.
- Add the final touches: Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips and chopped mini peanut butter cups over the top. Pour the heavy cream over everything, allowing it to melt into the cake.
- Return to the oven: Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the chocolate chips are melted and gooey.
- Let cool slightly: Let the cake cool for about 10 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to settle and makes it easier to slice.
- Serve: Scoop the cake into bowls or serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or extra peanut butter drizzle!
Method:
This “dump cake” method is all about ease. Just dump the ingredients in a pan, bake, and enjoy. The layers of cake, peanut butter, and melted chocolate create a rich and comforting dessert. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. There’s no need to spend time mixing, whisking, or even frosting – just dump and bake!
History:
Dump cakes have a long history in American kitchens, originally gaining popularity in the 1980s as an easy alternative to traditional cakes that required more time and effort. The basic idea of a dump cake involves adding ingredients directly to a baking dish without stirring them too much. Over the years, many variations of dump cakes have emerged, with ingredients ranging from fruits to chocolate. Peanut butter and chocolate, however, have become a classic combination in the world of desserts, making this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake a favorite for those who love indulgent treats.
Formation:
The Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake combines the best of a few dessert worlds: the warm, comforting layers of cake, the gooey goodness of melted chocolate, and the creamy richness of peanut butter. Its formation comes from the beloved dump cake concept, but with a twist – adding chocolate pudding mix to the batter and peanut butter cups for extra flavor and texture. It’s a cross between a cake, a brownie, and a hot fudge sundae – all wrapped into one easy, delightful dessert.
Conclusion:
If you’re a fan of chocolate and peanut butter (and who isn’t?), this dump cake is sure to become one of your go-to desserts. It’s the perfect comfort food that’s easy to make, crowd-pleasing, and utterly indulgent. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering, a potluck, or just craving something sweet after a long day, the Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake will be a guaranteed hit.
For Peanut Butter Lovers:
This cake is truly a peanut butter lover’s dream! The peanut butter not only swirls into the cake but also creates pockets of richness that enhance every bite. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, you can drizzle more peanut butter over the top or add extra peanut butter cups. No matter how you tweak it, you’re bound to enjoy the peanut butter-chocolate combo in every bite.
Tips and Variations:
- For a more decadent version, add a layer of crushed Oreos between the cake mix and the peanut butter.
- Add some heat: A sprinkle of sea salt on top of the chocolate chips will bring out the sweetness of the peanut butter even more.
- Swap out the cake mix: For a slightly different flavor profile, try using a peanut butter cake mix instead of chocolate cake mix.
Enjoy making this super simple and delicious dessert! 🍰