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Chocolate Peanut Butter Dump Cake: The Easiest, Gooeyest Dessert Ever
There are desserts that require precision, technique, and patience… and then there’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Dump Cake, the ultimate treat for anyone who wants maximum flavor with minimum effort. This is the kind of dessert that tastes like your childhood movie nights, sleepovers, and after-school snacks all rolled into one warm, gooey bite.
If you’re a chocolate-peanut-butter person — like the kind who can’t walk past a Reese’s bag without sneaking one — this cake is about to become your new obsession. Rich chocolate, melty peanut butter, and warm, fudgy pockets of candy all come together in a dessert that practically makes itself.
The best part? You literally dump the ingredients into a pan, bake, and dig in. No fancy mixing. No electric mixer. No fuss. Just pure, nostalgic chocolate peanut butter magic.
This chocolate peanut butter dump cake delivers big flavor, melty textures, and that ooey-gooey center everybody rushes to grab first.
Recipe Card
Type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 to 40 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 10 to 12
Calories: ~410 per serving
Main Ingredients: chocolate cake mix, peanut butter, peanut butter cups, melted butter, milk
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Foolproof and stress-free. If you can open a cake mix, you can make this.
- Only 5 minutes of prep. Perfect when you want dessert now.
- Ultra gooey texture. A warm, fudgy center with melted peanut butter throughout.
- Crowd-pleasing. Kids, adults, party guests — everyone goes back for seconds.
- Customizable. Swap candies, add chocolate chips, change the cake mix… it all works.
- Perfect for potlucks or last-minute guests.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 box chocolate cake mix (15.25 oz)
Any brand works. Devil’s food cake mix gives the richest flavor. - 1 cup milk
Helps keep the dump cake soft and fudgy. - 1 cup creamy peanut butter
Melt it slightly so it drizzles easily. Crunchy peanut butter works too. - 1 cup peanut butter cups, chopped
Small or regular peanut butter cups. Mini Reese’s are perfect. - ½ cup chocolate chips (optional, but highly recommended)
Adds more melty chocolate pockets. - 1 stick (½ cup) butter, melted
Helps the top crisp slightly while the bottom stays soft and gooey. - ½ teaspoon salt
Enhances the chocolate flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep your pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Dump the dry cake mix
Pour the chocolate cake mix straight into the greased baking dish. Spread it so it’s level.
No mixing bowl. No utensils. Your dish is doing all the work.
3. Add your chocolate chips
Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the cake mix. They’ll melt into the batter as it bakes.
4. Add the chopped peanut butter cups
Scatter them evenly across the dish. More candy = more gooey pockets.
5. Pour on the milk
Slowly drizzle one cup of milk across the entire cake mix. You don’t need to stir it in. Just let the liquid soak down naturally.
6. Drizzle peanut butter
Warm your peanut butter for 20 to 30 seconds in the microwave.
Then spoon or drizzle it all over the top. Big swirls. Big flavor.
7. Add melted butter
Pour melted butter across the surface. Butter ensures a soft, fudgy texture.
8. Bake
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the top looks set but the center is still gooey.
Dump cakes aren’t meant to be fully firm — embrace the gooeyness.
9. Serve warm
Scoop into bowls with a spoon or serve in squares.
Top with vanilla ice cream if you want peak indulgence.
Pro Tips for Success
Use high-quality peanut butter
It melts better and doesn’t get oily like cheaper brands.
Don’t mix the cake
The “dump” method is what creates that layered gooey-crisp texture specific to dump cakes.
Warm peanut butter first
Cold peanut butter won’t drizzle properly.
Watch the bake time
You want the edges set and the center dreamy. Overbaking removes the gooey magic.
Serve warm
The chocolate and peanut butter are at peak meltiness right out of the oven.
Variations & Substitutions
Make it triple chocolate
Add cocoa powder or use a chocolate lava cake mix.
Make it peanut-butter-forward
Use a peanut butter cake mix instead of chocolate.
Gluten-free version
Use a gluten-free chocolate cake mix.
Dairy-free version
Use oat milk and plant-based butter.
Most chocolate cake mixes are already dairy-free.
Candy swap options
- Peanut butter M&M’s
- Snickers
- KitKat
- Reese’s Pieces
- Chopped brownies
Add a crunchy topping
Try crushed pretzels for a sweet and salty twist.
Serving Suggestions
This chocolate peanut butter dump cake pairs beautifully with:
- Vanilla bean ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Caramel drizzle
- Chopped roasted peanuts
- Hot fudge
For extra richness, top with a scoop of peanut butter ice cream.
For contrast, serve with fresh raspberries or strawberries.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Store
Cool completely, then cover tightly.
Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Freeze
Freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Reheat
Microwave in 20-second intervals until warm and gooey again.
Nutrition (Approx per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 410 |
| Fat | 24g |
| Carbs | 42g |
| Protein | 6g |
| Sugar | 28g |
| Sodium | 380mg |
Values vary depending on candy and cake mix brands.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Stirring the ingredients. Mix = cake. Dump = gooey layers.
- Skipping the milk. Milk is key for the fudgy texture.
- Using cold peanut butter. It won’t spread and creates clumps.
- Overbaking. You want set edges and a soft center.
- Using too little butter. Butter hydrates the dry cake mix.
FAQ: Chocolate Peanut Butter Dump Cake
Can I make this with yellow cake mix?
Yes, but chocolate cake mix gives the classic chocolate-peanut-butter flavor.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Absolutely. It adds great texture.
Do I have to melt the peanut butter?
It’s the easiest way to drizzle and distribute it evenly.
Can this be made ahead?
Yes. It reheats beautifully in the microwave.
Can I double the peanut butter?
Totally. If you’re a peanut butter lover, go for it.
Does this work in a slow cooker?
Yes. Cook on HIGH for 2.5 to 3 hours until set.
Conclusion: A Dump Cake You’ll Make Again and Again
Whether you want a fast dessert for movie night, something decadent for a potluck, or just a warm, gooey treat after a long day, this Chocolate Peanut Butter Dump Cake delivers every single time. It’s easy, nostalgic, rich, melty, and impossible to resist.
Try it once and you’ll see why this dump cake has a fan club.
If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also love:
- Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake
- Peanut Butter Brownie Bars
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake
Chocolate Peanut Butter Dump Cake
Indulge in the rich and irresistible flavors of chocolate and creamy peanut butter with this mouthwatering dump cake. Perfect for any occasion, this dessert is easy to make and impossible to resist.
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts (optional)
- Whipped cream for serving (optional)
Directions
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Prepare the Chocolate Peanut Butter Mixture: In a bowl, mix together creamy peanut butter, melted butter, milk, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
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Layer the Cake Mix: Spread the chocolate cake mix evenly in a baking dish.
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Add the Peanut Butter Mixture: Spoon dollops of the peanut butter mixture over the cake mix, covering it as evenly as possible.
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Bake to Perfection: Bake the dump cake in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly.
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Serve and Enjoy: Let the cake cool slightly before serving. Top with chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent touch.
