Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box chocolate cake mix: Use your favorite brand. If you’d like, opt for a gluten-free mix.
- Ingredients needed for the cake mix: Check the back of the box—typically eggs, oil, and water.
- 8 oz block cream cheese: Ensure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter: Also softened. Unsalted butter works too—just add a pinch of salt.
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter: For a nut-free version, you can substitute sunflower seed butter.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract is best for flavor.
- 2 cups powdered sugar: For sweetness and structure in the peanut butter swirl.
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: You can swap these for dark chocolate or omit them entirely.
- ½ cup Reese’s Pieces: Optional for a pop of color; other candies work as well.
- 1 ½ cups miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, quartered: Feel free to use another peanut butter candy or chocolate chunks instead.
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, ensuring all sides are coated to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Prepare the Cake Batter
- In a large mixing bowl, prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the package instructions. This usually involves combining the mix with eggs, oil, and water. Use a hand whisk or electric mixer to ensure the batter is smooth.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out with a spatula.
Step 3: Make the Peanut Butter Swirl
- In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, butter, peanut butter, and vanilla extract using a hand mixer. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing after each addition until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Add the Peanut Butter Mixture
- Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture onto the cake batter. Use a spoon or offset spatula to gently swirl it into the batter. Don’t worry about making it perfect—the uneven swirls will create the signature “earthquake” look during baking.
Step 5: Top with Candies
- Evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips, Reese’s Pieces, and quartered peanut butter cups over the top of the batter. This adds texture, flavor, and visual appeal.
Step 6: Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven on the middle rack for 45-50 minutes. Begin checking the cake at the 45-minute mark by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter, it’s ready.
- Keep in mind that the center of the cake may appear slightly soft; it will set as it cools.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
- Let the cake cool for about 10-15 minutes before slicing. For the best experience, serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of warm peanut butter.
Notes
- Avoid overmixing the cake batter: Overmixing can result in a dense cake. Stir just until the ingredients are combined.
- Testing for doneness: If the toothpick test is confusing, gently press the top of the cake. It should feel slightly firm but springy.
- Softening butter and cream cheese: For beginners, forgetting to soften these ingredients is common. If they’re not soft enough, they’ll form lumps in your peanut butter mixture.
- Handling overcooked edges: If the edges bake faster than the center, cover the pan with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes