Get ready to meet your new favorite dessert that's as effortless as it is utterly irresistible: the Decadent Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake! Imagine a warm, gooey, chocolatey cake studded with melted peanut butter cups, all coming together with minimal fuss. This recipe takes the beloved convenience of a dump cake and infuses it with that iconic peanut butter and chocolate pairing we all adore.
Dump cakes are a home baker's secret weapon, requiring little more than assembling ingredients in a pan and letting the oven work its magic. Perfect for busy weeknights, last-minute gatherings, or simply satisfying that intense sweet craving, this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake promises maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Why This Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Will Be Your Go-To Dessert
- Unbelievably Easy: No complex steps, no fancy equipment. Just a few simple 'dumps' and you're on your way to dessert heaven.
- Chocolate & Peanut Butter Dream: This cake is a celebration of the classic flavor combination, with creamy peanut butter swirling through rich chocolate, amplified by chunks of melted peanut butter cups. Did you know the first peanut butter cup was created in 1928? Learn more about its fascinating history on Wikipedia.
- Gooey Perfection: The unique dump cake method ensures a deliciously moist and gooey texture that's simply addictive.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone, from kids to adults, will devour this dessert. It's universally loved and always a hit!
Essential Ingredients for Your Decadent Creation
You'll be amazed at how a handful of pantry staples transforms into such a spectacular dessert!
- Chocolate Cake Mix: A standard box of your favorite chocolate cake mix provides the perfect foundation. Devil's Food or chocolate fudge works wonderfully.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: The star of the show! Make sure it's creamy for easy mixing and melting.
- Milk: Adds moisture and helps bind the cake mix for a tender crumb.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Extra pockets of rich chocolate for that irresistible flavor.
- Chopped Mini Peanut Butter Cups: These are the magic makers, melting into gooey pockets of peanut butter bliss throughout the cake.
- Unsalted Butter, Melted: Crucial for the classic dump cake crust and adding incredible richness.
How to Make Your Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake
Creating this decadent dessert is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect, gooey cake every time!
- Prepare Your Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Combine Batter Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the chocolate cake mix, slightly melted creamy peanut butter, and milk until just combined. The batter will be thick and rich.
- Spread the Batter: Pour the peanut butter chocolate batter into your prepared baking dish and spread it evenly across the bottom.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Evenly sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips over the cake batter.
- Distribute Peanut Butter Cups: Scatter the chopped mini peanut butter cups over the chocolate chips.
- Drizzle with Butter: Pour the melted unsalted butter evenly over the entire surface of the cake. Resist the urge to stir! This melted butter creates that signature dump cake crust.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the top is lightly golden. A toothpick inserted into the cake part (avoiding melted candy) should come out mostly clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. It will be incredibly gooey and warm, making every bite an absolute delight!
Tips for Dump Cake Perfection
- Don't Overmix: When combining the cake mix, peanut butter, and milk, mix just until combined. A few lumps are perfectly fine and will bake out.
- Even Distribution is Key: Try to spread the chocolate chips and peanut butter cups as evenly as possible so every slice gets a good share of the goodies.
- Serve Warm: While delicious at any temperature, this dump cake truly shines when served warm, straight from the oven, allowing all those chocolate and peanut butter pockets to be wonderfully melted.
- Customize Your Toppings: A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate fudge sauce can elevate this cake to an even more luxurious experience.
Storage and Reheating
If you happen to have any leftovers (a rare occurrence with this cake!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For extended freshness, especially if you added dairy toppings, refrigerate for up to 5 days. To reheat, individual slices can be warmed in the microwave for 15-20 seconds until delightfully gooey again. For another quick and impressive dessert, you might enjoy our Bright & Zesty Lemon Custard Cake.
More Irresistible Treats You'll Love
If you're a fan of easy, decadent desserts, you're in the right place! After mastering this dump cake, why not try your hand at another delightful sweet? Our Irresistible Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are another fantastic choice for satisfying your sweet tooth with minimal effort.
Indulge in Every Decadent Bite!
This Decadent Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake isn't just a dessert; it's an experience. Its simple preparation means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the smiles it brings to your table. So go ahead, whip up this delightful treat, and prepare for pure, unadulterated peanut butter and chocolate bliss!
FAQs
What is a dump cake?
A dump cake is a famously easy dessert where ingredients are literally 'dumped' into a baking pan without much mixing, resulting in a moist, fruit-filled, or in this case, candy-filled cake with a delicious topping. They are known for their minimal effort and impressive results.
Can I use different candy bars instead of peanut butter cups?
Absolutely! While peanut butter cups are a star in this recipe, you can experiment with other chopped chocolate candies like Snickers, M&Ms, or even caramel bits for a fun flavor twist. Just ensure they are chopped into manageable pieces before adding.
How should I store leftover Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake?
Store any leftover dump cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, especially if topped with whipped cream or ice cream, it can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. Reheat individual slices gently in the microwave for a warm, gooey treat.
What's the best way to serve this dump cake?
This decadent dump cake is best served warm, allowing the peanut butter cups and chocolate chips to remain wonderfully melted and gooey. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream makes it an even more indulgent dessert experience.
Decadent Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake
- Total Time: 55-60 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Diet: N/A
Description
An incredibly easy, gooey, and irresistible dump cake bursting with chocolate and peanut butter flavor, perfect for a quick indulgence.
Ingredients
1 (15.25 ounce) box chocolate cake mix (such as Devil's Food or chocolate fudge)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, melted slightly
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups chopped mini peanut butter cups (or regular, chopped)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the chocolate cake mix, slightly melted creamy peanut butter, and milk until just combined. The batter will be thick.
Step 3: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Step 4: Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the batter.
Step 5: Distribute the chopped peanut butter cups over the chocolate chips.
Step 6: Drizzle the melted unsalted butter evenly over the entire surface of the cake. Do not stir.
Step 7: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the top is lightly golden. A toothpick inserted into the cake part (avoiding melted chocolate/peanut butter cups) should come out mostly clean.
Step 8: Let the cake cool for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. It will be very gooey and delicious when warm!
Notes
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra treat. This cake is very rich, so small servings are often sufficient!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Related posts:
The Ultimate Reese's Peanut Butter Poke Cake: Decadent & Easy
Irresistible Peach Cobbler Donut Hand Pies: Your New Favorite Dessert!
Irresistible Butterscotch Bars with Butterscotch Chips: Your New Favorite Easy Dessert!
Irresistible Pistachio Pudding Sugar Cookie Bars: Your New Favorite Green Treat!
Leave a Reply