Description
Reese’s Earthquake Cake: Decadent chocolate cake swirled with peanut butter, loaded with Reese’s cups. A crowd-pleasing dessert that’s quick and comforting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (15.25 oz/432g) chocolate cake mix
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup (79ml) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (237ml) buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar)
- 1 cup (175g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (175g) Reese’s peanut butter chips
- 1 1/2 cups (150g) chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups (about 15 mini cups)
- 1 cup (80g) sweetened coconut flakes
- 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. Proper pan preparation is crucial as this cake tends to stick. Optionally, line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Step 2: Create the Base Layer Sprinkle half of the chocolate chips, Reese’s peanut butter chips, chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups, and coconut flakes (if using) evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan to create a foundation layer.
- Step 3: Mix the Cake Batter In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and buttermilk. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth and well combined.
- Step 4: Pour and Layer Pour the cake batter over the base layer of chocolate and peanut butter chips in the pan. Gently spread the batter evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, chopped Reese’s cups, and coconut flakes over the top.
- Step 5: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add melted butter and gradually incorporate powdered sugar, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract to create a pourable cream cheese mixture.
- Step 6: Create the Earthquake Effect Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cake batter in an even pattern, creating ribbons across the surface. Use a knife to gently swirl the cream cheese into the top layer of the cake batter for a marbled effect.
- Step 7: Bake to Perfection Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until the edges are set but the center is still slightly jiggly. Remember, the **Reese’s Earthquake Cake** should be gooey in the middle. Allow the cake to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving to set and maintain the molten pockets.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480 calories
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 75mg