Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe
If you’re the kind of person who believes chocolate and peanut butter are soulmates (hi, me too!), then this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is going to be your new dessert obsession. It’s gooey, melty, peanut-buttery goodness in every single bite with minimal effort required. Just layer, bake, and dig in. No mixing bowls, no fancy equipment, and definitely no stress. This one’s rich, over-the-top, and totally irresistible. Trust me, you’re going to want to grab a spoon and eat it straight from the pan!
Why You’ll Love Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe
This recipe isn’t just about the ingredients it’s about creating moments. Whether you’re cooking for a casual family dinner, hosting a get-together with friends, or simply indulging in some comforting flavors for yourself, this dish is versatile enough to fit the occasion. Here’s why it’s a favorite:
Versatile: Perfect for potlucks, birthdays, holidays, or any time you need a crowd-pleasing dessert with no fuss.
Budget-Friendly: Uses simple, easy-to-find grocery items no bakery prices here.
Quick and Easy: Truly a “dump and bake” situation. No mixing required.
Customizable: Add chopped nuts, drizzle with caramel, or swap in different candies to make it your own.
Crowd-Pleasing: A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s always a win when a single dish can satisfy everyone at the table. This recipe strikes the perfect balance of flavor and comfort, making it a universal favorite.
Ingredients in Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake
This gooey, rich, indulgent dessert starts with pantry staples and ends with pure magic.
Chocolate Cake Mix: Acts as the base layer and delivers that deep, fudgy flavor.
Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix: Adds extra gooey texture and chocolate intensity.
Milk: Helps the pudding mix bake up soft and creamy in the cake.
Creamy Peanut Butter: Melts into the cake and infuses each bite with nutty richness.
Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: Chopped up and scattered throughout for pockets of melty, peanut butter-chocolate bliss.
Butter: Melted over the top to help everything bubble and bake together beautifully.
Chocolate Chips (optional): Adds even more richness and texture why not go all in?
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create this flavorful masterpiece:
Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Layer the Ingredients: Pour the chocolate pudding mix into the bottom of the dish, then add the milk and stir slightly to distribute. Don’t worry about mixing it all the way it’ll come together as it bakes.
Add the Peanut Butter: Drop spoonfuls of creamy peanut butter over the pudding mixture. You can swirl it in a bit, but no need to be precise.
Sprinkle Cake Mix: Evenly sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix over the top. Do not stir!
Top with Reese’s: Scatter chopped peanut butter cups all over the cake mix layer. Add chocolate chips here too if you’re using them.
Pour the Butter: Drizzle the melted butter over the entire surface. Try to cover as much as possible to help everything bake evenly.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is gooey and bubbling.
Cool Slightly: Let it rest for 10–15 minutes before serving this allows the layers to set a bit.
Serve and Enjoy: Scoop it out into bowls and enjoy warm especially delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition Facts:
Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 420
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe
This dish pairs wonderfully with various sides and accompaniments. Here are a few serving suggestions to enhance your dining experience:
Top it with vanilla or peanut butter ice cream for the ultimate decadent dessert. Drizzle with warm chocolate sauce or caramel for extra indulgence. Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top to balance the sweetness. Serve straight from the pan with a big spoon it’s that kind of dessert!
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:
Don’t overbake—this cake is meant to be gooey and a little messy. You can use crunchy peanut butter for added texture. For an even richer cake, add a layer of chocolate ganache on top after baking. Leftovers (if you have any!) can be refrigerated and reheated in the microwave. Let the cake rest after baking to make scooping easier.
FAQ’s
1. Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes! Devil’s food, fudge, or even yellow cake mix would all work well.
2. Do I need to prepare the cake mix or pudding mix first?
Nope—just dump them in as instructed. That’s the magic of a dump cake.
3. Can I make this in advance?
Yes, but it’s best served warm. Reheat individual portions in the microwave before serving.
4. What’s the best peanut butter to use?
Creamy peanut butter spreads best, but feel free to use natural or chunky if you like texture.
5. Can I add other candies?
Totally! Try chopped Snickers, M\&M’s, or even Oreos.
6. Can I make it gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free cake mix and check the candy ingredients—easy swap!
7. How do I store leftovers?
Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
8. Can I freeze this cake?
It’s not ideal the texture changes. But it can be done if tightly wrapped.
9. Is this super sweet?
Yes it’s rich and sweet! Great for dessert lovers. Serve with unsweetened cream or coffee for balance.
10. What can I serve it with?
Ice cream, whipped cream, or even just a cold glass of milk makes a perfect pairing.
Conclusion
Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is everything you love about dessert in one warm, melty, ridiculously easy pan of goodness. It’s chocolatey, peanut buttery, and overflowing with indulgence without a single mixing bowl required. Whether you’re treating your family, feeding a crowd, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, this is one of those recipes that delivers every single time. So go ahead, dump it, bake it, and dig into something spectacular!
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is a rich, gooey, and irresistible dessert made with layers of chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter, and chopped peanut butter cups—all ‘dumped’ together for a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 (3.9 oz) box instant chocolate pudding mix
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter, melted
- 2 cups chopped peanut butter cups (about 16 regular-sized cups)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a bowl, whisk together chocolate pudding mix and milk until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour pudding mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Drizzle melted peanut butter evenly over the pudding layer.
- Sprinkle chopped peanut butter cups across the surface.
- Evenly sprinkle dry chocolate cake mix over the entire dish (do not stir).
- Drizzle melted butter over the dry cake mix, trying to cover as much of the surface as possible.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is set and edges are bubbling. The center may remain slightly gooey.
- Let cool slightly before serving warm with whipped cream or ice cream if desired.
Notes
- You can use mini peanut butter cups or peanut butter chips as a substitute.
- Try adding chopped pretzels or peanuts for crunch.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: peanut butter dump cake, chocolate dump cake, easy dessert, peanut butter cup cake, dump cake recipe