Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake

If you love chocolate and peanut butter, then this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is about to become your new favorite dessert! This easy, no-fuss recipe is loaded with rich chocolate pudding, creamy peanut butter, mini peanut butter cups, and a crunchy peanut topping—all baked into a warm, gooey, irresistible cake.

What I love most about this recipe is that there’s no mixing required—just layer the ingredients, pop it in the oven, and let the magic happen! It’s the ultimate lazy dessert that tastes like it took hours to make. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got the perfect comfort food dessert for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔️ Super Easy – No need for complicated steps or extra bowls!
✔️ Incredibly Gooey & Chocolatey – A warm, melty, peanut butter-infused dessert dream.
✔️ Minimal Ingredients – Just pantry staples and a little layering.
✔️ Perfect for Chocolate & PB Lovers – The best combination of flavors in every bite.
✔️ Great for a Crowd – Serves 12 and is perfect for potlucks, parties, or weeknight cravings.

The Recipe

Ingredients

For the Dump Cake:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix – The base of the cake.
• 1 (3.9 oz) box instant chocolate pudding mix – Creates the gooey chocolate layer.
• 2 cups milk – For mixing the pudding.
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter – For a rich peanut butter swirl.
• 1 cup mini peanut butter cups, halved – Adds melty peanut butter goodness.
• 1 cup chocolate chips – For extra chocolate flavor.
• ½ cup chopped roasted peanuts – For a crunchy topping.
• ½ cup melted unsalted butter – Helps create a crispy, buttery topping.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat the Oven & Prep the Dish

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

2️⃣ Prepare the Chocolate Pudding Layer

• In a medium bowl, whisk together instant chocolate pudding mix and milk until thickened (about 2 minutes).
• Pour the pudding mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.

3️⃣ Add the Peanut Butter Swirl

• Drop dollops of peanut butter over the pudding.
• Use a spatula or knife to swirl it slightly into the pudding (don’t fully mix it in—you want pockets of peanut butter!).

4️⃣ Layer the Cake Mix & Butter

• Sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix evenly over the pudding and peanut butter layers.
• Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the cake mix, covering as much of the surface as possible.

5️⃣ Add the Toppings

• Sprinkle mini peanut butter cups, chocolate chips, and chopped roasted peanuts over the top.

6️⃣ Bake Until Gooey & Delicious

• Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the top is mostly set.
• Let cool slightly before serving—it will still be warm and gooey in the center!

7️⃣ Serve & Enjoy

• Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for the ultimate indulgence.

Serving and Storage Tips

• Serving: Best served warm, straight from the oven!
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Warm in the microwave for 15-20 seconds for that fresh-from-the-oven gooeyness.
• Freezing: Wrap individual portions and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat before serving.

Helpful Tips & Variations

✅ For an Extra Gooey Cake – Swirl in an additional ¼ cup peanut butter before baking.
✅ Want a Crunchier Texture? – Use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy.
✅ Add More Peanut Butter Flavor – Mix ½ teaspoon of peanut butter extract into the pudding.
✅ Make It Extra Chocolatey – Use dark chocolate chips or chocolate peanut butter cups.
✅ Try Different Cake Mixes – Experiment with devil’s food cake, brownie mix, or peanut butter cake mix for a fun twist.

frequently asked question

1. Can I make this without peanut butter cups?

Yes! You can substitute extra chocolate chips or chopped Reese’s Pieces for a similar flavor.

2. Do I have to mix the cake mix before adding it?

No! The beauty of a dump cake is that the dry cake mix absorbs moisture from the pudding and butter while baking—no mixing required.

3. Can I use homemade pudding instead of instant?

Absolutely! Just make sure it’s thick and chilled before layering it into the dish.

4. What other mix-ins can I add?

Try adding caramel bits, toffee pieces, or chopped pretzels for a fun twist.

5. Can I use almond or cashew butter instead of peanut butter?

Yes! Any nut butter will work, but peanut butter gives it that classic Reese’s flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is rich, gooey, chocolatey, and completely addictive. It’s one of those set-it-and-forget-it desserts that’s effortless to make but tastes like a dream. Whether you’re making it for a family gathering, a special occasion, or just because you’re craving chocolate and peanut butter, this cake is sure to impress!

So grab a spoon, dig into warm layers of chocolate, peanut butter, and melty peanut butter cups, and enjoy every indulgent bite!

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