Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe

If you’re craving something sinfully delicious and ridiculously easy to make, this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is your answer. It’s rich, gooey, and overflowing with chocolate-peanut butter flavor in every bite. With only a handful of ingredients and no mixer needed, this dessert is perfect when you’re short on time but need something sweet and satisfying. Whether it’s a last-minute treat for guests or a cozy night-in indulgence, this dump cake delivers decadence without the hassle.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and No-Fuss: This cake goes from mixing bowl to oven in just minutes—no fancy equipment, no layers, no fuss.
• Chocolate + Peanut Butter Heaven: Every bite is packed with gooey chocolate cake, creamy pudding, and melty mini Reese’s cups. Honestly, it’s dangerously good.
• Perfect for a Crowd: It’s made in a 9×13 pan, making it ideal for potlucks, parties, or just feeding your inner chocoholic for a few days.
• Foolproof: Even if you’re not a baker, you’ll nail this. Dump, stir, bake. That’s it.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chocolate Cake Mix: Forms the rich, moist base of the cake. Choose your favorite boxed mix for convenience.
• Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix: Adds an extra layer of fudgy, gooey texture and amps up the chocolate flavor.
• Milk: Helps activate the pudding and keeps the cake moist and creamy.
• Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: Chopped and folded into the batter for sweet, melty pockets of peanut butter in every bite.

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Variations

Want to put your own spin on it? Here are a few fun ideas:

• Swap the Candy: Try using chopped peanut butter M&Ms or Snickers for a twist.
• Add a Crunch: Stir in some crushed pretzels or chopped peanuts for extra texture.
• Extra Chocolate: Sprinkle chocolate chips or a drizzle of hot fudge over the top before baking.
• Make it Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix and ensure your pudding is GF as well.

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How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray and set it aside.

Step 2: Mix Pudding Base

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the milk and chocolate pudding mix together until smooth and slightly thickened.

Step 3: Add Cake Mix

Add the chocolate cake mix directly into the pudding mixture. Stir until fully combined. The batter will be thick, and that’s exactly what you want.

Step 4: Fold in Reese’s

Chop your mini Reese’s and gently fold them into the batter, making sure they’re evenly distributed. Save a few to sprinkle on top if you like!

Step 5: Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool Slightly and Serve

Let the cake cool for a few minutes, then dig in while it’s still warm for the ultimate melty experience. It’s just as good at room temperature too.

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Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Overmix: Stir the batter until just combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense instead of soft and fudgy.
• Use Room Temp Milk: It helps the pudding dissolve more smoothly and makes mixing easier.
• Chop the Reese’s Roughly: You want chunks, not crumbs. That way, you get big pockets of peanut butter goodness.
• Serve Warm: If you can, serve it warm. The chocolate is gooey, the peanut butter melts, and it’s absolute dessert bliss.

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How to Serve

This dump cake is pretty much perfect on its own, but here’s how to make it even better:

Ice Cream:

Top with a big scoop of vanilla or peanut butter ice cream for the ultimate hot-and-cold combo.

Whipped Cream:

A dollop of whipped cream adds a light, airy contrast to the rich cake.

Drizzle:

Try a drizzle of chocolate syrup or warm peanut butter for extra flair.

Make a Sundae:

Layer cake, ice cream, whipped cream, and more Reese’s in a bowl. You’ll thank me later.

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Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover the cake tightly with foil or store it in an airtight container. It’ll keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze it! Cut into squares and wrap individually, or freeze the whole thing. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

Pop a slice in the microwave for 15–30 seconds to bring back that just-baked warmth and gooeyness.

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FAQs

Can I make this with a different cake mix flavor?
Absolutely! Devil’s food, triple chocolate fudge, or even yellow cake for a Reese’s Pieces vibe—go for it.

Do I need to prepare the pudding according to the box?
Nope! Just whisk it with the milk as directed in this recipe. You’re using it to create a rich, fudgy base, not a standalone pudding.

Can I use regular-sized Reese’s instead of mini?
Yes, just chop them into small pieces so they melt evenly and distribute well in the batter.

Why is my batter so thick?
That’s normal! The thick batter is what creates that dense, brownie-like texture. It’ll bake up beautifully, don’t worry.

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Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is the kind of dessert that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen—but took you barely 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s rich, indulgent, and full of those classic chocolate and peanut butter flavors we all crave. If you’re looking for a dessert that’s both easy and unforgettable, this is it. Go ahead—grab a spoon and treat yourself!

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