Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12–16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a rich, gooey, and over-the-top dessert that erupts with flavor. Layers of moist chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter filling, and melty chocolate chips come together in an irresistibly messy, deliciously chaotic bake. Every bite delivers a gooey explosion of peanut butter and chocolate—just like an edible earthquake!
Ingredients
For the Cake Base:
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1 box chocolate cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as directed)
For the Peanut Butter Filling:
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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½ cup creamy peanut butter
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1 stick (½ cup) butter, melted
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3 cups powdered sugar
For the Toppings:
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1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
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½ cup peanut butter chips (optional)
- ½ cup chopped peanuts (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Prepare cake batter: Mix the chocolate cake batter according to package directions. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
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Make peanut butter filling: In a bowl, beat together cream cheese, peanut butter, melted butter, and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
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Add filling to cake: Drop large spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture over the chocolate cake batter. Do not mix—just swirl slightly if desired.
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Top it off: Sprinkle chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and/or chopped peanuts evenly over the top.
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Bake: Bake for 40–45 minutes or until cake is set around the edges and slightly gooey in the center. It will have a cracked, “earthquake” appearance.
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Cool and serve: Let cool slightly. Serve warm for a molten texture or cool completely for fudgier slices.
Notes
For extra peanut butter richness, drizzle melted peanut butter over the top after baking.Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for the ultimate dessert.This cake is rich—small portions go a long way!Use a homemade chocolate cake base if preferred.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Decadent and gooey: A rich, chocolatey dessert with a molten center.
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Flavor-packed layers: Chocolate, peanut butter, and cream cheese in every bite.
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Easy to make: Starts with a cake mix and simple pantry ingredients.
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Perfect for sharing: Great for potlucks, holidays, or casual get-togethers.
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Visually stunning: Earthquake-style cracks and swirls create a rustic, homemade look.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Chocolate cake mix (plus eggs, oil, and water as called for)
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Cream cheese (softened)
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Butter (melted)
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Powdered sugar
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Peanut butter (creamy)
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Chocolate chips or chunks
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Optional: chopped peanuts or peanut butter cups for topping
Directions
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Preheat oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Prepare cake mix: Mix cake batter according to package instructions. Spread evenly in the prepared pan.
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Make cream cheese mixture: In a bowl, beat softened cream cheese with melted butter, powdered sugar, and peanut butter until smooth.
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Add toppings: Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter. Use a knife to swirl gently into the batter. Sprinkle chocolate chips and other toppings if desired.
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Bake: Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the center is mostly set but still slightly gooey.
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Cool and serve: Let cool for at least 15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 12
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
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Cook Time: 40 minutes
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Total Time: 55 minutes
Variations
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Extra peanut butter: Swirl in additional melted peanut butter before baking.
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Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.
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Add crunch: Top with chopped peanuts or toffee bits.
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Use dark chocolate: Swap semi-sweet chips for a deeper flavor.
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Swirl in jam: A touch of raspberry jam adds a sweet-tart contrast.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for 5 days.
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Freezing: Freeze tightly wrapped portions for up to 1 month. Thaw before serving.
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Reheating: Microwave slices for 15-20 seconds to restore gooey texture.
FAQs
Can I use homemade chocolate cake batter?
Yes, your favorite homemade chocolate cake works perfectly.
Is this cake supposed to look cracked?
Yes, the “earthquake” look is part of its charm and texture.
Can I skip the cream cheese?
It’s a key part of the texture and flavor, but you could substitute with whipped topping for a lighter effect.
Can I use chunky peanut butter?
Yes, it adds a nice texture contrast.
How gooey should the center be?
Slightly underbaked in the center is ideal for that molten effect.
Can I make this cake in advance?
Yes, it keeps well and can be reheated for serving.
Is this cake very sweet?
It’s quite rich; reduce powdered sugar in the cream cheese layer if desired.
What’s the best way to swirl the layers?
Use a butter knife and make figure-eight motions for a marbled look.
Can I make this in a smaller pan?
You can halve the recipe for an 8×8-inch pan; adjust baking time.
Does it need frosting?
No, the gooey top and mix-ins make it sweet enough on its own.
Conclusion
Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is an irresistible dessert that marries the bold flavors of chocolate and peanut butter with a molten, marbled cream cheese swirl. Easy to make and visually dramatic, this cake is a guaranteed hit for any occasion when you want to serve something truly indulgent and delicious.
