Introduction
REESE’S Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a decadent dessert mash-up that takes everything you love — chocolate cake, peanut butter, cream cheese, and REESE’S candies — and swirls it into an ooey-gooey masterpiece. As it bakes, the ingredients shift and swirl, creating the “earthquake” effect: cracked, rippled layers of rich flavor and irresistible texture.
Perfect for chocolate-peanut butter lovers, this cake is dramatic, delicious, and totally unforgettable.
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Origin and Cultural Significance
The original “Earthquake Cake” was a Southern-style dessert, often made with German chocolate cake mix, coconut, cream cheese, and pecans. It got its name because it appears cracked and uneven — like an earthquake struck the cake.
This REESE’S version modernizes the concept by replacing coconut and pecans with peanut butter, REESE’S Cups, and peanut butter chips, appealing to fans of America’s most iconic flavor duo: chocolate and peanut butter. It’s a beloved party and potluck dessert, with a bold look and flavor to match.
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Ingredients Quantity (Serves 12–16)
1 box chocolate fudge cake mix (plus ingredients required on the box: usually eggs, oil, and water)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1⅓ cups powdered sugar
½ cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups, chopped
½ cup peanut butter chips
Optional: ¼ cup mini chocolate chips or chopped peanuts
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Optional Additions
Add swirls of Nutella or hot fudge for extra richness
Use white chocolate chips for contrast
Sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving for a sweet-salty finish
Top with REESE’S Pieces or mini marshmallows
Add a caramel drizzle after baking
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Tips for Success
Line the pan with parchment or grease well — this cake is sticky and gooey!
Soften cream cheese fully for a smooth filling
Don’t overmix the swirl layer — gentle swirling keeps the dramatic texture
Cool completely before slicing so layers can set
Serve slightly warm or microwave individual slices for 10–15 seconds
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Instructions
1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Prepare the Cake Batter
In a large bowl, prepare the chocolate cake mix according to package directions. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
3. Make the Cream Cheese Swirl
In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, melted butter, powdered sugar, peanut butter, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
4. Swirl It In
Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture over the cake batter. Use a knife to gently swirl the layers together — don’t fully mix.
5. Add the Candy
Sprinkle chopped REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups and peanut butter chips over the top.
6. Bake
Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the cake is mostly set but still slightly gooey in the center. It should jiggle a bit — that’s part of the charm!
7. Cool and Serve
Allow the cake to cool for at least 30 minutes. Serve warm, at room temp, or cold — all versions are delicious.
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Description
This cake is rich, fudgy, and packed with layers of flavor. The peanut butter swirl melts into the chocolate cake like a lava flow, and the chopped REESE’S provide bursts of candy crunch and creamy centers. It’s messy, decadent, and perfect for sharing — if you can resist keeping it all to yourself.
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Nutritional Information (Per slice, based on 16 servings)
Calories: 420–480
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Sugars: 34g
Protein: 6g
Sodium: 300–350mg
(Varies based on brand of cake mix and candy used.)
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Conclusion and Recommendation
The REESE’S Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a bold and gooey dessert perfect for birthdays, parties, bake sales, or indulgent nights in. Its rich layers and chaotic swirls make it both visually striking and intensely flavorful. This cake is meant to be shared — but no one will judge if you keep it all to yourself.
Pair with cold milk or coffee for a comforting contrast to its sweetness.
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Embracing Healthful Indulgence
To enjoy more mindfully:
Use a reduced-sugar cake mix or bake from scratch with less sugar
Try light cream cheese or Greek yogurt cream cheese
Use dark chocolate chips instead of milk
Add mashed bananas or applesauce to replace some butter
Bake in muffin tins for portion control and easy sharing