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Earthquake Cake Recipe

5 from 70 reviews

Earthquake Cake is a decadent and indulgent dessert that combines a rich dark chocolate fudge cake base with a creamy peanut butter cream cheese frosting. Loaded with chocolate chips and halved miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups, this cake delivers a delightful explosion of flavors and textures in every bite. Perfectly baked until moist and tender, it’s best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra creamy finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Batter

  • 1 box dark chocolate fudge cake mix

Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 cups powdered sugar

Toppings

  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups, halved

For Serving

  • Vanilla ice cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the package instructions, which usually includes mixing the cake mix with oil, eggs, and water. Whisk the mixture until smooth, then pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  3. Make the Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, and vanilla extract together until smooth and well combined. Gradually add the powdered sugar while mixing continuously, until the frosting is thick, creamy, and spreadable.
  4. Assemble the Cake: Spread the peanut butter cream cheese frosting evenly over the cake batter in the baking dish. Sprinkle chocolate chips and halved miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups over the frosting, pressing them gently so they stay embedded.
  5. Bake the Cake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center—it should come out clean. Be careful not to overbake to maintain moistness.
  6. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Serve each slice topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the perfect creamy contrast to the rich cake.

Notes

  • Ensure the cream cheese and butter are fully softened for smooth frosting.
  • Use a gentle folding motion when spreading the frosting to avoid mixing it too much with the cake batter.
  • You can substitute miniature Reese’s with other peanut butter candy cups if preferred.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • For a more intense chocolate flavor, add a handful of chocolate chips into the batter before baking.

Keywords: Earthquake Cake, chocolate fudge cake, peanut butter cream cheese frosting, Reese's peanut butter cups, chocolate cake dessert, rich chocolate cake, easy dessert recipe