Rich Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate

Featured in: Weekend Skillet Treats & Bakes

This decadent dessert combines creamy peanut butter spread beneath a moist chocolate cake batter, crowned with mini peanut butter cups and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Baked to perfection, its rich layers meld flavors beautifully, offering a smooth, sweet, and nutty treat. Ideal for a quick preparation, it promises a crowd-pleasing experience with an indulgent texture. Serve warm or cooled, optionally with vanilla ice cream, for the ultimate flavor harmony in every bite.

Updated on Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:24:32 GMT
Decadent peanut butter cup dump cake with layers of chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter, and gooey peanut butter cups, perfect for dessert lovers. Save to Pinterest
Decadent peanut butter cup dump cake with layers of chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter, and gooey peanut butter cups, perfect for dessert lovers. | poppyskillet.com

There's something magical about the combination of chocolate and peanut butter that makes dessert lovers weak in the knees. This Rich Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake brings together these two beloved flavors in a dessert that's both incredibly easy to make and impossibly delicious. As the name suggests, you simply 'dump' the ingredients into a baking dish and let the oven work its magic, transforming simple components into layers of decadent goodness.

Decadent peanut butter cup dump cake with layers of chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter, and gooey peanut butter cups, perfect for dessert lovers. Save to Pinterest
Decadent peanut butter cup dump cake with layers of chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter, and gooey peanut butter cups, perfect for dessert lovers. | poppyskillet.com

As this cake bakes, something wonderful happens: the peanut butter layer on the bottom partially mixes with the chocolate cake, creating a fudgy, creamy texture that's irresistible. Meanwhile, the peanut butter cups and chocolate chips on top melt just enough to create pools of sweet, molten goodness throughout the dessert. The aroma that fills your kitchen as it bakes will have everyone gathering around the oven in anticipation.

Ingredients

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  • Cake Base
  • 1 box (about 15.25 oz / 432 g) devils food chocolate cake mix
  • 1 cup (250 g) creamy peanut butter, at room temperature
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1½ cups (360 ml) whole milk
  • Toppings
  • 1 cup (about 150 g) mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped
  • ½ cup (90 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Prepare your baking dish
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish with nonstick spray or butter.
Create the peanut butter layer
Spread the creamy peanut butter evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Mix the cake batter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and milk until the batter is mostly smooth (some small lumps are fine).
Assemble the layers
Pour the cake batter evenly over the peanut butter layer in the baking dish. Scatter the mini peanut butter cups and chocolate chips evenly over the top of the batter.
Bake to perfection
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the cake is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are fine).
Cool before serving
Remove from oven and let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving warm. For cleaner slices, allow to cool completely. Serve as is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

When spreading the peanut butter on the bottom of the baking dish, warm it slightly if needed for easier spreading. Use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to create an even layer. For the cake batter, don't overmix—just whisk until the ingredients are combined to ensure the cake remains tender. When checking for doneness, remember that the melted peanut butter cups may make the toothpick appear chocolatey, which is different from uncooked batter.

Varianten und Anpassungen

For a crunchy version, follow the recipe suggestion to sprinkle ½ cup of chopped roasted peanuts over the top before baking. If you're not a fan of peanut butter or have allergies, substitute almond butter for a different flavor profile. White chocolate chip lovers can replace the semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate for a sweeter twist. For a more sophisticated flavor, try dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet, or add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the cake batter to enhance the chocolate notes.

Serviervorschläge

This peanut butter cup dump cake is delicious on its own, but transforms into an even more decadent dessert when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. The contrast between the warm cake and cold ice cream creates a delightful temperature and texture combination. For a special touch, drizzle some warm chocolate sauce or melted peanut butter over the top. Coffee or milk makes the perfect beverage pairing to balance the richness of this indulgent treat.

Rich chocolate-peanut butter dump cake baked with mini peanut butter cups and chocolate chips, offering a warm, indulgent treat straight from the oven. Save to Pinterest
Rich chocolate-peanut butter dump cake baked with mini peanut butter cups and chocolate chips, offering a warm, indulgent treat straight from the oven. | poppyskillet.com

This Rich Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake embodies everything we love about comfort desserts—it's easy to make, deeply satisfying, and brings everyone together around the table. There's something nostalgic about the chocolate-peanut butter combination that appeals to the child in all of us while still feeling like a special treat worthy of any occasion. Whether you're making it for a family dinner, a potluck, or simply because you deserve something delicious, this dump cake delivers big flavor with minimal effort—proving that sometimes the easiest recipes yield the most memorable results.

Questions & Answers

How do I prevent the cake from sticking to the pan?

Lightly grease the baking dish with butter or nonstick spray before spreading the peanut butter layer to ensure easy removal after baking.

Can I substitute almond butter for peanut butter?

Yes, almond butter can be used to create a different nutty flavor profile while maintaining creaminess.

What's the best way to achieve a clean slice when serving?

Allow the baked dessert to cool completely before slicing; this helps set the layers and reduces crumbling.

Are there alternative toppings to try for variety?

Consider swapping semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips or sprinkling chopped roasted peanuts on top for added crunch.

How should leftovers be stored for freshness?

Cover leftovers and keep them at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate for up to five days to maintain texture and flavor.

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Rich Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate

Creamy peanut butter layered with moist chocolate cake and mini peanut butter cups for a rich dessert.

Prep Time
10 min
Time to Cook
40 min
Overall Time
50 min
Recipe By Evan Perry


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 10 Portions

Diet Preferences Meat-Free

What You'll Need

Cake Base

01 1 box (15.25 oz) devil's food chocolate cake mix
02 1 cup creamy peanut butter, room temperature
03 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
04 1 1/2 cups whole milk

Toppings

01 1 cup mini peanut butter cups, unwrapped
02 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

How to Make It

Step 01

Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or butter.

Step 02

Layer Peanut Butter Base: Spread creamy peanut butter evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

Step 03

Mix Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together chocolate cake mix, melted butter, and milk until mostly smooth with small lumps remaining.

Step 04

Add Batter Layer: Pour cake batter evenly over the peanut butter layer in the baking dish.

Step 05

Add Toppings: Scatter mini peanut butter cups and chocolate chips evenly over the top of the batter.

Step 06

Bake Cake: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.

Step 07

Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and cool for at least 15 minutes before serving warm. For cleaner slices, cool completely. Serve plain or with vanilla ice cream.

Gear Needed

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk or spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy Notice

Please review all components for potential allergens and always reach out to a health expert if you're unsure.
  • Contains milk, wheat (gluten), peanuts, and soy
  • May contain tree nuts; check labels on chocolate and cake mix

Nutrition Details (each portion)

Nutritional info is meant to inform; not a substitute for professional advice.
  • Energy: 430
  • Lipid Content: 26 g
  • Carbohydrates: 48 g
  • Proteins: 7 g

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