Description
Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a decadent layered dessert combining rich chocolate fudge cake batter with creamy, fluffy peanut butter frosting dotted with chocolate chips and peanut butter cups. This indulgent treat is baked until just set, delivering a gooey, flavorful experience perfect for chocolate and peanut butter lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Cake
- 1 chocolate fudge cake mix (plus ingredients needed to prepare as per package instructions)
Peanut Butter Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups powdered sugar
Toppings
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup chocolate peanut butter cups, halved
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the cake.
- Prepare Cake Mix: Prepare the chocolate fudge cake mix according to the package directions. Pour the batter into a lightly greased 9×13 inch cake pan. Do not bake yet; set aside for assembly.
- Make Peanut Butter Frosting: Melt the butter on the stovetop until bubbly. In a mixing bowl, beat the melted butter with softened cream cheese until smooth. Add peanut butter and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until fully combined. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until the frosting becomes light, fluffy, and well incorporated.
- Assemble Cake: Spoon generous dollops of the peanut butter frosting evenly over the unbaked chocolate cake batter in the pan. Scatter chocolate chips and halved peanut butter cups over the top for added texture and flavor.
- Bake: Place the assembled cake in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the cake center is only slightly jiggly, indicating it is just set but still moist.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool for 15 to 20 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, optionally with ice cream for an extra delicious indulgence.
Notes
- Do not bake the cake batter before adding the frosting; the frosting cooks into the cake as it bakes.
- The center should remain slightly jiggly to ensure moistness; overbaking can dry the cake.
- Using softened cream cheese will make the frosting blend more smoothly.
- For best results, use quality chocolate peanut butter cups and chocolate chips.
- This cake is best served warm for a gooey texture but can also be enjoyed chilled.
