If you love peanut butter and chocolate together, you’re in for a real treat. Imagine a rich, gooey dessert with layers of peanut butter, chocolate, and cake all in one—sounds heavenly, right? Well, that’s exactly what you’ll get with this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake. It’s ridiculously easy to make, and the end result is a warm, decadent dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for something sweet to serve at a family dinner, need a quick dessert for guests, or just want to indulge yourself (no judgment here!), this cake is sure to impress.
Why You’ll Love Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake
No-Fuss, Just Delicious
The beauty of this dump cake is in its simplicity. You literally dump everything into one pan and bake. There’s no fancy layering or complicated steps. The result is a warm, gooey, peanut-buttery-chocolatey masterpiece.
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Heaven
If you’re a peanut butter and chocolate fan (and let’s face it, who isn’t?), this cake is like a dream come true. The peanut butter gives it a creamy richness, while the chocolate adds the perfect amount of sweetness. Together, they make the perfect combo.
Quick and Easy
The best part? You don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep time, this dessert comes together in no time. It’s perfect for when you want a quick fix for your sweet tooth without all the effort.
Crowd-Pleasing
This dessert is sure to be a hit with everyone. It’s warm, indulgent, and just the right amount of sweet. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday, party, or even just a weeknight treat, it’s always a crowd-pleaser.

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Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake.
Peanut Butter Cups
The stars of the show! These little candy bars melt beautifully into the cake, creating pockets of gooey, chocolaty, peanut-buttery goodness.
Cake Mix
This is the base of the cake and what helps everything come together. You’ll use a box of cake mix, which means you don’t need to worry about measuring out flour, sugar, and other ingredients—easy peasy.
Butter
Melted butter adds richness to the dump cake and helps create that perfect, slightly crispy top layer. It gives the cake its melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Sweetened Condensed Milk
This ingredient makes the cake incredibly moist and gives it that luscious, creamy texture. It’s the secret to getting the gooey, decadent layers.
Chocolate Chips
For extra chocolatey goodness. The chocolate chips melt into the cake, creating pockets of melted chocolate that just make the whole dessert feel more indulgent.
Milk
Milk helps bring everything together and creates a smooth consistency. It also balances the richness of the sweetened condensed milk.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s get this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake ready to bake! Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to make sure the cake comes out easily once it’s baked.
Step 2: Layer the Ingredients
First, chop the peanut butter cups into smaller pieces and scatter them evenly across the bottom of the baking dish. Then, sprinkle the cake mix over the top of the peanut butter cups. Don’t stir it! This is a dump cake, so we want to keep the layers separate for the best texture.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Pour the melted butter evenly over the top of the cake mix. Then, pour the sweetened condensed milk over the entire cake. This will soak into the cake mix, creating that perfect gooey texture. Finally, sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
Step 4: Bake and Wait (Almost)
Pop the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cake is set. The edges will be slightly crispy, and the middle should be soft and gooey. The peanut butter cups will melt into the cake, creating pockets of melty goodness.
Step 5: Let it Cool (Just a Little)
Once the cake is out of the oven, let it cool for about 5-10 minutes. This gives everything a chance to firm up just a little bit before you dive in. The longer you wait, the more gooey it becomes when you scoop it out.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Serve warm, and if you’re feeling extra indulgent, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of whipped cream. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 380
Total Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 35mg
Sodium: 180mg
Carbohydrates: 49g
Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 35g
Protein: 4g
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake
Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is best served warm, right out of the oven. You can serve it with a variety of delicious sides and toppings to make it even more special:
Vanilla Ice Cream
A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream adds a cool, smooth contrast to the warm, gooey cake. The combination of temperatures is absolutely irresistible.
Whipped Cream
Top the cake with a generous swirl of whipped cream for an extra touch of sweetness and creaminess. It’s a simple addition that takes this dessert to the next level.
Fresh Berries
For a little freshness and balance, serve with a handful of fresh berries like raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries. The tartness of the berries will contrast beautifully with the rich, sweet cake.
Coffee or Milk
Pair it with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of milk to complete the dessert experience. It’s the perfect way to enjoy your Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake!
Additional Tips
Don’t Stir the Cake Mix
One of the most important steps in making a dump cake is to not stir the cake mix once it’s added. Let the layers do their thing! The cake mix needs to stay on top to create a nice, crispy texture.
Add Extra Peanut Butter
If you want an even more peanut-buttery flavor, feel free to drizzle some extra peanut butter on top before baking. It will melt into the cake, adding another layer of peanut butter goodness.
Make It Ahead
You can prepare this cake ahead of time! Assemble the ingredients in the baking dish, cover it with foil, and store it in the fridge for up to a day. When you’re ready, just pop it in the oven to bake.
Make It Gluten-Free
If you need a gluten-free version, just use a gluten-free cake mix in place of the regular one. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free!
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use a different kind of candy instead of peanut butter cups?
A1: Absolutely! You could use regular chocolate bars, caramel-filled candies, or even chocolate-covered almonds for a different twist.
Q2: Can I make this without sweetened condensed milk?
A2: The sweetened condensed milk gives this cake its signature gooey texture, but you can substitute it with a mix of regular milk and sugar (about 1 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of sugar) for a similar effect.
Q3: Can I freeze Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake?
A3: Yes, you can! Allow the cake to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven before serving.
Q4: Can I add nuts to this dump cake?
A4: Sure! Chopped peanuts, pecans, or walnuts would add a delicious crunch to the cake. Just sprinkle them on top along with the chocolate chips.
Q5: How do I store leftovers?
A5: Store leftover Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate it for a longer shelf life.
Q6: Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
A6: Yes! You can try a chocolate cake mix or even a yellow cake mix for a different flavor profile. The possibilities are endless!
Q7: Can I make this cake in a different-sized pan?
A7: If you want to use a different-sized pan, just adjust the baking time. A smaller pan will require a longer bake time, and a larger pan will bake faster.
Q8: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A8: Yes! You can prepare it the night before, then bake it the next day. Just keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to pop it in the oven.
Q9: Can I serve this cake cold?
A9: It’s best served warm for that gooey, fudgy texture. But if you have leftovers, you can enjoy it cold, and it’s still delicious!
Q10: Can I double this recipe?
A10: Absolutely! If you need a bigger batch, just double the ingredients and use a larger baking dish. You may need to adjust the baking time depending on the size of the pan.
Conclusion
Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is the kind of dessert that makes everyone smile—simple, indulgent, and full of that irresistible peanut butter-chocolate combo. It’s the perfect treat for any occasion and will have everyone coming back for seconds (or thirds!). So what are you waiting for? Grab those ingredients, get baking, and enjoy a sweet, gooey masterpiece!
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 12–16 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is a decadent dessert that layers chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter filling, and Reese’s peanut butter cups for a rich, indulgent treat. Easy to make, it’s perfect for gatherings and sure to satisfy any chocolate and peanut butter cravings.
Ingredients
- Cake Layer:
- 2 boxes chocolate cake mix (15.25 oz/432g each)
- 1 package instant chocolate pudding mix (3.9 oz/110g)
- 1 ½ cups milk (375mL)
- 1 bag Reese’s peanut butter cups minis (8 oz/226g, unwrapped)
- Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (227g)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar (105g)
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream (57g)
- Topping:
- 1 stick butter, melted (113g)
- Dry cake mix from the second box
- Finishing Touches:
- 8 oz Cool Whip (225g)
- 1 bag Reese’s peanut butter cups miniatures (12 oz/340g, unwrapped and chopped)
- Chocolate syrup, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and coat a 13″x9″ (33×23 cm) baking pan with non-stick spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine one box of chocolate cake mix, chocolate pudding mix, and milk. Stir until smooth, then fold in the Reese’s mini peanut butter cups. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.
- In another bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and heavy cream until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly over the cake batter in the pan.
- Sprinkle the dry cake mix from the remaining box evenly over the cream cheese mixture. Drizzle melted butter across the top.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
- Once cooled, spread the Cool Whip evenly over the top. Sprinkle chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups over the Cool Whip and drizzle with chocolate syrup.
- Serve and enjoy! Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Notes
For an extra chocolatey touch, add chocolate chips to the cake batter. Let the cake cool completely before adding Cool Whip to prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg