🥄 Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake – A Chocolate Lover’s Dream

If you’re a fan of chocolate and peanut butter (who isn’t?), this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is going to knock your socks off. It’s rich, gooey, and layered with all your favorite flavors: fudgy brownie, melty peanut butter cups, crushed cookies, and warm chocolate cake—all baked in one pan.

This dessert doesn’t just taste like a candy bar fantasy—it is a candy bar fantasy. And because it’s a dump cake, there’s minimal effort and no complicated steps. Just layer, bake, and get ready to indulge in the ooey-gooey, melty magic.

---

What Is a Dump Cake?

A dump cake is a classic American dessert where all the ingredients are “dumped” into a pan—no mixing bowls, no creaming butter and sugar, no fuss. Typically made with canned fruit and cake mix, this modern version skips the fruit and goes straight for the chocolate-peanut butter jackpot.

It’s:

• Moist and gooey like a brownie
• Packed with chocolate chips, peanut butter cups, and cake mix
• Perfectly indulgent for birthdays, potlucks, or weekend baking

---

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake

Here’s why this recipe is an instant favorite:

✅ One-Bowl, One-Pan Wonder

No mixer, no multiple bowls. Just dump it, layer it, and bake.

✅ Decadent Texture

Fudgy, melty, warm, and layered with chocolate-peanut butter goodness.

✅ Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing

Who wouldn’t love peanut butter cups in a warm, gooey cake?

✅ Foolproof

Even beginner bakers will get fantastic results.

---

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe keeps it simple, but the results are anything but. You’ll need:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 1 stick butter (½ cup), melted
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)
• 1½ cups peanut butter cups, chopped
• 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk)
• Crushed graham crackers or cookies (optional, for extra texture)

📝 Optional garnish: whole mini peanut butter cups, Reese’s pieces, or a drizzle of melted peanut butter after baking.

---

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. You can also line it with parchment paper for easier lifting.

---

Step 2: Add the Peanut Butter Layer

Spread 1 cup of creamy peanut butter evenly over the bottom of the pan. This will melt and create a sweet, nutty base.

💡 Tip: Warm the peanut butter in the microwave for 20–30 seconds to make spreading easier.

---

Step 3: Add Peanut Butter Cups and Chocolate

Sprinkle chopped peanut butter cups and chocolate chips evenly over the peanut butter layer.

You can also add crushed cookies or graham crackers at this stage for extra crunch.

---

Step 4: Pour the Cake Mix

Evenly sprinkle the dry chocolate cake mix over everything—no need to mix it with eggs or oil!

---

Step 5: Add Sweetened Condensed Milk and Butter

Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the cake mix.

Then, pour the melted butter over the top. Try to cover as much surface as possible—this helps the top bake into a gooey crust.

---

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake at 350°F for 35–40 minutes, until the top is set and bubbling. Let cool for 10–15 minutes before serving. The center will be rich and molten like a lava cake!

---

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm as-is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
• Drizzle with melted peanut butter or hot fudge sauce
• Top with crushed peanuts, mini marshmallows, or even whipped cream

---

Make-Ahead & Storage

Fridge:

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 15–20 seconds to get that gooey texture back.

Freezer:

Freeze slices in foil or airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat as needed.

🍰 Bonus: Chilled pieces make an amazing base for ice cream sundaes.

---

Variations to Try

• Nut-Free: Use sunflower seed butter and nut-free chocolate candies.
• Brownie Mix Base: Substitute chocolate cake mix with brownie mix for extra fudginess.
• Salted Caramel: Add a drizzle of caramel sauce over the top before baking.
• Crunchy Texture: Add chopped pretzels or toffee bits for sweet-salty flavor.

---

Tips for Success

• Don’t mix the cake mix—it bakes up as a cobbler-style topping.
• Use real sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk.
• Let it rest 10–15 minutes after baking so it sets slightly for slicing.

---

Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is a dream come true for dessert lovers. It’s everything you want in a homemade sweet: indulgent, rich, layered with flavor, and crazy easy to make. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just need a Friday night treat, this cake will have everyone asking for seconds.

And the best part? It only looks like you spent all day in the kitchen. Go ahead—take the credit.

Print