Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe

If you’re ready to indulge in pure dessert bliss, look no further than this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake. Every bite is an irresistible swirl of gooey chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and fudgy cake – all lovingly baked together in a single dish. This easy creation is pure magic for peanut butter and chocolate lovers, and the best part? It’s practically effortless to whip up. Gather your sweet tooth and some pantry staples, because this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is about to become your new favorite go-to treat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe comes together with a handful of classic dessert heroes. Each one plays a starring role in creating the rich flavor and perfect texture that makes Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake completely unforgettable. Here’s what you’ll need and why you don’t want to skip a single ingredient:

• Yellow Cake Mix: The foundation of the cake, providing a sweet, buttery crumb with minimal effort.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: Delivers that signature, luscious peanut flavor and ensures every bite is ultra-moist.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk (14 oz): Adds richness and exceptional gooeyness, making the cake decadently sweet.
• Mini Peanut Butter Cups, Chopped (1 cup): The real wow factor—each bit adds pockets of chocolatey, peanut buttery goodness!
• Chocolate Chips (1 cup): Melts into oozy rivers throughout the cake, enhancing that irresistible chocolate flavor.
• Butter, Melted (½ cup): Binds the dry mix, creates a golden, satisfying crust, and enriches the whole cake.
• Chopped Reese’s or Other Peanut Butter Candies (1 cup): Adds crunchy peanut butter bursts and extra fun color on top.
• Chocolate Syrup (optional): For an ultra-smooth finishing touch, perfect if you want to really go over the top!

How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Dish

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), so it’s already hot and waiting for your soon-to-be legendary Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make serving those gooey slices even easier.

Step 2: Scatter Those Irresistible Candies

Take your chopped mini peanut butter cups and chocolate chips and scatter them evenly across the bottom of your greased dish. This ensures every bite catches a bit of melty chocolate and peanut butter splash—no dry corners!

Step 3: Drizzle on the Sweetened Condensed Milk

Pour the can of sweetened condensed milk straight over the candy layer. As it bakes, it melds with the candy pieces, soaks into the cake mix from below, and guarantees pure, sticky decadence throughout your Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake.

Step 4: Dollop in Creamy Peanut Butter

With a spoon, drop dollops of creamy peanut butter all over the dish, tucking some deep between candies so there’s peanut butter in every bite. The magic here is that you don’t need to spread it perfectly; just make sure there’s plenty to discover.

Step 5: Blanket with Cake Mix

Now, sprinkle the yellow cake mix evenly right over all that peanut butter and candy goodness. Do not stir—simply let it sit on top like a fluffy, sweet blanket, ready to soak up the buttery richness to come.

Step 6: Pour Over the Melted Butter

Slowly drizzle that melted butter across the surface, covering as much of the dry cake mix as possible. The butter will seep down as it bakes, helping everything crisp at the edges and turn beautifully golden brown.

Step 7: Bake to Gooey Perfection

Slide your dish into the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes. The goal is to achieve a bubbling, golden top with a perfectly set center. The smell alone will have everyone circling the kitchen!

Step 8: Add Toppings and Serve

Let your cake cool slightly so it sets up, then go wild with those extra chopped Reese’s pieces and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. The result? An irresistibly melty, fudgy, colorful dessert ready for sharing (or sneaky midnight snacking).

How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake

Garnishes

Give your Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake the star treatment by showering it with even more chopped peanut butter candies and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. For an extra flourish, a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top adds cool, creamy contrast to every warm, gooey bite.

Side Dishes

Because this cake is so outrageously decadent, it shines brightest alongside something fresh and light. A bowl of fresh strawberries or sliced bananas balances the richness, while a cold glass of milk or coffee helps wash it all down.

Creative Ways to Present

Try scooping warm Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake into individual jars for a picnic or party, or serve it in small ramekins for an elegant twist. Hosting a gathering? Set up a toppings bar with extra candies, chocolate syrup, and sprinkles, so everyone can customize their own perfect slice.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow find yourself with leftovers, simply cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or transfer pieces to an airtight container. The cake stays moist and delicious in the fridge for up to 4 days—perfect for sneaky fridge raids.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake! Let it cool completely, then slice into portions and wrap them tightly in plastic and foil. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months. To thaw, just leave a slice in the fridge overnight or let it sit at room temperature for an hour.

Reheating

For that just-baked taste, warm refrigerated or thawed cake slices in the microwave for 20–30 seconds. If you’re feeding a crowd, gently reheat larger portions in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10–15 minutes. The candies will melt slightly, reviving all that gooey, fudgy magic.

FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Absolutely! While yellow cake mix gives a classic buttery base, chocolate or devil’s food cake mix will intensify the chocolate flavor. If you’re a true peanut butter fanatic, even peanut butter or vanilla cake mix will work deliciously.

What’s the best way to chop the peanut butter cups?

A sharp, non-serrated knife makes quick work of mini peanut butter cups—chop them in halves or quarters depending on your chunkiness preference. For less mess, chill the candies in the fridge beforehand so they don’t get too melty under the knife.

Can I make this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake in advance?

Definitely! Assemble the layers up to a day ahead and keep covered in the fridge before baking. When you’re ready to impress, just add the melted butter and bake as usual for fresh-out-of-the-oven decadence.

Is there a way to make this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute your favorite gluten-free yellow cake mix for the regular one, and double-check that your candies and chocolate chips are also gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so everyone can join the fun!

Do I have to use mini peanut butter cups or will regular-sized work?

Regular peanut butter cups work just as well—just chop them into smaller pieces so they spread throughout the cake evenly. Mini or regular, as long as you get plenty of peanut butter goodness in every bite, you can’t go wrong.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been searching for a dessert that’s low effort but high on flavor and fun, you can’t beat this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake. It comes together in minutes, brings big smiles to any gathering, and begs for endless variations. Grab your favorite candies and let yourself indulge—you and your sweet tooth will be so glad you did!

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