If you have a serious sweet tooth and love the amazing combo of chocolate and peanut butter, you are going to adore this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe. This dessert is the ultimate crowd-pleaser with its rich, moist texture and gooey pockets of peanut butter cups nestled inside a luscious chocolatey cake. It’s incredibly easy to whip up, yet so impressive in flavor, making it perfect for everything from casual family dinners to special celebrations. Once you try this, it might just become your new go-to dessert for when you want something cozy, comforting, and downright delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe plays a star role in creating a flavor-packed, irresistible dessert. They’re straightforward pantry staples, yet together they build the perfect balance of richness, sweetness, and that signature peanut buttery twist.
- Chocolate cake mix: The foundation of this cake, providing a rich, moist chocolate flavor without the fuss.
- Instant chocolate pudding mix: Adds extra moisture and a velvety texture that keeps the cake perfectly tender.
- Large eggs: Help bind all the ingredients together and add richness to the batter.
- Whole milk: Brings moisture and contributes to the cake’s soft crumb.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Adds buttery richness and helps create that lovely crumb topping.
- Creamy peanut butter cups, chopped: The star element! Chunks throughout the cake bring bursts of peanut butter and chocolate joy.
- Chocolate chips (optional): Sprinkle in some extra chocolate chips for an even more decadent bite.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish well to ensure your cake doesn’t stick and pops out easily once baked. This step may seem small, but it makes all the difference when it comes to presentation and cleanup.
Step 2: Mix the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix and instant chocolate pudding mix. Add the eggs, whole milk, and melted unsalted butter. Using a hand mixer or a sturdy spoon, mix everything until the batter is smooth and the ingredients have fully blended. This creates the luscious, chocolatey base of your dump cake.
Step 3: Fold in the Peanut Butter Cups
Gently fold in the chopped creamy peanut butter cups with a spatula. This step infuses the batter with little pockets of peanut butter that melt slightly during baking, creating delightful surprise bites throughout the cake. If you love chocolate even more, toss in chocolate chips here as well.
Step 4: Pour and Spread the Batter
Pour the prepared batter into your greased 9×13 dish and spread it out in an even layer. Make sure it’s smooth on top so it bakes evenly and looks as beautiful as it tastes.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center—it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter. The aroma of chocolate and peanut butter filling your kitchen here is honestly irresistible.
Step 6: Cool Slightly Before Serving
Once baked, allow the cake to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This lets it set up just enough to hold together perfectly, while still being deliciously gooey inside.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe
Garnishes
To take this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe to the next level, consider topping it with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream. A drizzle of warm chocolate sauce or a sprinkle of crushed peanut butter cups on top adds a playful crunch and extra flavor punch. Fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar can also brighten up the presentation beautifully.
Side Dishes
This cake is rich and satisfying on its own, but if you want to round out your dessert spread, try pairing it with a simple fruit salad or a fresh whipped cream topping. A cup of strong coffee or a cold glass of milk makes the perfect companion to cut through the richness and enhance every bite.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, serve the cake in individual mason jars layered with whipped cream and extra peanut butter cups for a trendy, grab-and-go treat. You can also turn leftovers into decadent trifle layers with pudding and crushed cake bits, or use cookie cutters to create fun shapes for children’s parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake, store it covered tightly in the refrigerator. It will stay moist and delicious for up to 3-4 days. This cake actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld.
Freezing
You can freeze the cake in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving, and it will taste almost as fresh as the day you baked it. Cutting into individual portions before freezing makes reheating even easier.
Reheating
Warm servings in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes. Melting chocolate chips and peanut butter cups come back soft and oozy, just like fresh-baked indulgence.
FAQs
Can I use peanut butter instead of peanut butter cups?
While peanut butter cups give that perfect mix of chocolate and peanut butter texture, you can swirl in creamy peanut butter too. It won’t provide the bite-sized chunks but will add a smooth peanut butter flavor throughout.
Is this cake very sweet?
This Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe is definitely rich and sweet, but the chocolate and peanut butter balance each other nicely, so it never feels overwhelmingly sugary.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Using a gluten-free chocolate cake mix and pudding mix substitutes can make this recipe gluten-free. Just ensure your peanut butter cups and other ingredients are also gluten-free certified.
What is the texture of this dump cake?
This cake is moist and tender with pockets of melted peanut butter cups adding gooey, melty bites. It’s a happy balance of cake, pudding-like softness, and candy pieces.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely! Just double the ingredients and use a larger baking dish or two 9×13 pans. Adjust baking time accordingly by checking with a toothpick to avoid over or under baking.
Final Thoughts
If you want a dessert that is simple to make but incredibly rewarding in taste, don’t hesitate to try this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe. It’s the perfect fusion of chocolate love and peanut buttery goodness that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just because, this cake is guaranteed to bring smiles and satisfy cravings!
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is a decadent, fudgy dessert combining rich chocolate cake mix, instant chocolate pudding, and creamy peanut butter cups for an indulgent treat. It’s easy to prepare with minimal ingredients and yields a moist, flavorful cake perfect for chocolate and peanut butter lovers.
Ingredients
Cake Mixture
- 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
- 1 box (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Add-ins
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter cups, chopped
- 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the cake.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, instant chocolate pudding mix, eggs, whole milk, and melted unsalted butter. Stir everything together until the batter is smooth and fully combined.
- Fold in Peanut Butter Cups: Gently fold the chopped creamy peanut butter cups into the batter to distribute them evenly without deflating the mixture.
- Pour Batter into Dish: Pour the prepared batter into the greased baking dish and spread it evenly across the surface for uniform baking.
- Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating that the cake is fully cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool slightly in the dish before slicing and serving to let the flavors settle and ensure easy cutting.
Notes
- You can add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for extra chocolate flavor and texture.
- Letting the cake cool for at least 10 minutes before serving helps it set and improves slicing.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the cake mix with a gluten-free chocolate cake mix.
