Chocolate Peanut Butter Dump Cake with Peanut Butter Cups

Peanut Butter Chocolate Dump Cake

If you’re a fan of the classic peanut butter and chocolate combination, this Peanut Butter Chocolate Dump Cake is going to become your new favorite dessert. It’s rich, gooey, loaded with chocolate chips, and swirled with creamy peanut butter and chunks of peanut butter cups.

The beauty of a dump cake is its simplicity. You combine just a handful of ingredients, swirl everything together, and bake until perfectly fudgy and decadent. The result is a dessert that tastes like a cross between a molten chocolate cake and a peanut butter brownie.

Even better, this indulgent treat comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or whenever a chocolate craving hits.


Why I Love This Recipe

This cake delivers big dessert flavor with minimal effort.

Here’s why it’s such a favorite:

  • Super easy to make
  • Chocolate and peanut butter in every bite
  • Rich and gooey texture
  • Perfect for serving warm with ice cream
  • Great for parties or holidays

It’s the kind of dessert that disappears quickly once people get their first taste.


Peanut Butter Chocolate Dump Cake

Peanut Butter Chocolate Dump Cake

An easy chocolate dump cake swirled with creamy peanut butter, chocolate chips, and peanut butter cups for a rich and gooey dessert.

Prep: 15 min | Cook: 35 min | Total: 50 min

Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 box (15.25 oz) dark chocolate cake mix
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter, slightly warmed
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped peanut butter cups
  • Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large bowl combine the dry chocolate cake mix, milk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Mix until smooth.
  3. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
  4. In another bowl mix the warmed peanut butter, mini chocolate chips, and chopped peanut butter cups.
  5. Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture across the cake batter.
  6. Use a knife to gently swirl the peanut butter mixture through the batter to create a marbled pattern.
  7. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.
  8. Allow the cake to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
  9. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 480 calories
  • Fat: 26 g
  • Carbs: 56 g
  • Protein: 9 g

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Ingredients

  • 1 box (15.25 oz) dark chocolate cake mix
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter, slightly warmed
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped peanut butter cups

Optional for Serving

  • Whipped cream
  • Vanilla ice cream

Ingredient Swaps and Notes

This recipe is flexible and easy to customize.

Peanut butter options

You can substitute:

  • crunchy peanut butter for texture
  • natural peanut butter (stir well first)
  • almond butter for a different nutty flavor

Chocolate choices

Instead of mini chocolate chips, try:

  • dark chocolate chunks
  • milk chocolate chips
  • white chocolate chips

Candy variations

Swap peanut butter cups with:

  • chocolate-covered caramel candies
  • chopped chocolate bars
  • peanut butter chips

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.


2. Prepare the Cake Batter

In a large bowl combine:

  • chocolate cake mix
  • milk
  • melted butter
  • eggs
  • vanilla extract
  • sea salt

Mix until the batter is smooth and fully combined.


3. Add Batter to Baking Dish

Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.

Spread it evenly so the cake bakes uniformly.


4. Prepare the Peanut Butter Mixture

In a separate bowl combine:

  • warmed peanut butter
  • mini chocolate chips
  • chopped peanut butter cups

Stir until everything is evenly coated.


5. Swirl the Peanut Butter

Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter mixture across the surface of the cake batter.

Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the mixture through the batter to create a marbled pattern.


6. Bake

Bake the cake for 30–35 minutes.

The top should be set while the inside stays soft and gooey. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs.


7. Cool Slightly and Serve

Allow the cake to cool for 10–15 minutes before slicing.

Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.


Tips for the Best Dump Cake

A few simple tricks make this dessert even better.

Warm the peanut butter slightly

This helps it swirl smoothly through the batter.

Don’t overmix the swirl

You want visible ribbons of peanut butter throughout the cake.

Serve warm

The chocolate chips and peanut butter cups stay melty and irresistible.

Add extra toppings

A drizzle of chocolate syrup or caramel sauce makes this dessert even more decadent.


Serving Suggestions

This cake is rich on its own, but it’s even better with a few additions.

Try serving it with:

  • vanilla ice cream
  • whipped cream
  • a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce
  • crushed peanuts for crunch

For brunch-style dessert spreads, pair it with breakfast favorites like
Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes – The Secret to a Perfect Breakfast Stack or
Classic French Toast – The Golden Breakfast Everyone Loves.

If you enjoy easy baked treats, you’ll also love
Moist 1-Bowl Banana Bread – The Easy Recipe That Never Fails.

And for simple morning meals, check out
The Ultimate Overnight Oats Guide – 1 Base Recipe, 6 Easy Flavors or
Make-Ahead Breakfast Burritos – The Freezer-Friendly Morning Game Changer.


Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Approximate values:

  • Calories: 480
  • Fat: 26g
  • Carbohydrates: 56g
  • Protein: 9g

Storage and Leftover Tips

This cake stores well and reheats beautifully.

Refrigerator

Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.

Reheating

Warm slices in the microwave for 15–20 seconds to bring back the gooey texture.

Freezing

You can freeze slices for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly and thaw before reheating.


More Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoy easy desserts and baked treats, check out these recipes:


Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter Chocolate Dump Cake is the perfect dessert when you want something indulgent without spending hours in the kitchen. With rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and melty candy pieces in every bite, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Whether you’re baking for a family dessert night, a holiday gathering, or a potluck, this cake is sure to be a hit.

If you try this recipe, share your favorite variations and serving ideas. And don’t forget to follow along for more delicious recipes from Jason Griffith at ChefManiac.