Description
Sinful layers of peanut butter delight dance through this Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake, promising rich chocolate swirls and creamy indulgence. Chocolate lovers will savor each extraordinary bite of this irresistible dessert that melts hearts and satisfies deepest sweet cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
cake base:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
peanut butter layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
topping:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup chopped peanut butter cups
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly with cooking spray or butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine yellow cake mix, vegetable oil, and eggs. Whisk the mixture until smooth and well-incorporated, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Using an electric mixer, blend softened cream cheese and peanut butter until creamy and uniform in texture.
- Gradually incorporate powdered sugar into the cream cheese mixture, alternating with milk to maintain a smooth consistency.
- Dollop the peanut butter layer randomly over the cake batter, creating swirls and pockets throughout the surface.
- For the chocolate topping, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract until completely blended.
- Remove the chocolate mixture from heat and stir in powdered sugar until the sauce reaches a silky, pourable consistency.
- Drizzle the chocolate sauce over the peanut butter layer, allowing it to create natural patterns across the cake’s surface.
- Sprinkle chopped peanut butter cups and peanuts evenly over the entire cake.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares and serving.
Notes
- Customize the cake mix by using gluten-free yellow cake mix for those with dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone can enjoy this decadent dessert.
- Prevent cream cheese from forming lumps by allowing it to reach room temperature before blending with peanut butter, creating a smoother mixture.
- Enhance the cake’s texture by gently folding peanut butter mixture into batter instead of dropping randomly, resulting in more even distribution of flavors.
- Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, letting flavors meld and intensify with time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 458
- Sugar: 41 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 53 mg