Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake
Gooey, Chocolatey & Out‑of‑This‑World Easy!
If you’re a fan of chocolate and peanut butter (and let’s be honest — who isn’t?), this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is about to blow your mind. It’s ridiculously easy, perfectly gooey, and outrageously indulgent. With just a few ingredients and no mixing bowls required, this is the kind of low-effort, high-reward dessert that’ll have everyone begging for the recipe.
We’re talking layers of rich chocolate cake, melted peanut butter, and chunks of peanut butter cups, all baked together in one pan until hot, bubbly, and ooey-gooey. The sweetened condensed milk adds a caramel-like richness that takes it over the top. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ll have a dessert that tastes like it came from a restaurant — but took almost no work.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 35–40 minutes
Servings: 10–12
Storage: Refrigerates well and reheats beautifully
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (any variety – devil’s food, fudge, or triple chocolate are great)
- 1 stick butter (½ cup), melted
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup peanut butter, slightly melted
- 12–16 peanut butter cups, chopped (Reese’s or your favorite brand)
- Optional toppings: chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, whipped cream, vanilla ice cream
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
2. Layer the Cake Mix
Pour the dry cake mix directly into the baking dish. Use a spoon or spatula to spread it evenly across the bottom — no need to mix!
3. Add Sweetened Condensed Milk
Drizzle the entire can of sweetened condensed milk evenly over the dry cake mix. Don’t stir — just let it soak down into the mix naturally.
4. Peanut Butter Swirl
Slightly warm the peanut butter in the microwave (about 20–30 seconds) until it’s pourable but not hot.
Drizzle or dollop the melted peanut butter over the condensed milk and cake mix.
Pro Tip: Use a butter knife to gently swirl the peanut butter into the mix for a marbled effect. But don’t overdo it — you want ribbons of peanut butter, not a full blend.
5. Add the Peanut Butter Cups
Roughly chop the peanut butter cups and scatter them generously over the top of the dish. They’ll melt into gooey pockets of chocolatey-peanut butter goodness.
Want even more richness? Sprinkle on some mini chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars at this stage too.
6. Pour the Butter
Slowly pour the melted butter over the entire surface. Try to drizzle it evenly across the top to help moisten the cake mix during baking.
7. Bake
Place in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top looks set and the edges are bubbling. The center should still be slightly gooey — that’s the magic of a dump cake!
Baking Tip: Every oven is a little different, so keep an eye on it during the last 5–10 minutes. You want a soft, spoonable texture — not a dry cake.
How to Serve
Let the dump cake cool for 5–10 minutes before serving — this helps it firm up just slightly while staying gooey in the center. Then grab a spoon and dig in!
Serve it:
- Warm with vanilla ice cream (highly recommended)
- With a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce
- Topped with whipped cream and a few extra chopped peanut butter cups for flair
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Microwave individual servings for 15–20 seconds until warm and gooey again.
- Freezer: This cake doesn’t freeze particularly well due to the gooey texture, but you can freeze it for up to 1 month if needed. Thaw and reheat gently.
Variations & Substitutions
- Cake Mix: Try yellow cake mix or brownie mix for a different flavor base.
- Nut-Free: Use sunflower seed butter and nut-free chocolate candies.
- Extra Crunch: Add chopped pretzels or salted peanuts on top before baking.
- More Chocolate: Stir in cocoa powder or drizzle hot fudge over the top after baking.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 5 main ingredients
- No mixing bowls or electric mixer needed
- Totally beginner-friendly
- Ready in under an hour
- An absolute dream for chocolate and peanut butter lovers
Final Thoughts
This Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is the kind of dessert you make when you want something outrageously good without breaking a sweat. It’s ideal for last-minute guests, weekend cravings, birthday parties, or just a rainy night on the couch with your favorite movie. One pan, no mess, maximum satisfaction.
