Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe

Irresistible Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe for Sweet Fans

Crafting a delectable peanut butter cup dump cake might just be the most effortless dessert adventure you’ll embark on this week.

Chocolate and peanut butter create a magical combination that dances across taste buds.

Simplicity reigns supreme in this decadent treat, requiring minimal preparation and maximum flavor.

Minimal ingredients converge to produce a rich, gooey masterpiece that melts in your mouth.

Layers of creamy peanut butter intermingle with chocolate chunks, creating a dessert that screams indulgence.

Each bite promises a symphony of textures and sweet, nutty notes.

Let this recipe become your secret weapon for instant dessert success.

Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Overview

  • Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect dessert for gatherings and potlucks, guaranteed to impress with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
  • Minimal Prep Magic: No complicated mixing or advanced baking skills needed, just layer ingredients and let the oven do the work for a delightful treat.
  • Decadent Chocolate-Peanut Butter Delight: Combines rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and crunchy peanuts into one indulgent dessert that satisfies every sweet tooth.
  • Versatile Comfort Dessert: Adaptable for casual family nights, movie marathons, or unexpected sweet cravings with simple ingredients found in most pantries.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Dump Cake

Main Ingredients:
  • Instant Pudding Mix: A key ingredient that creates a creamy, rich base for the dump cake.
  • Milk: Helps activate and thicken the pudding mix for a smooth texture.
  • Dry Cake Mix: Provides the cake's structure and sweet foundation.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create a golden, crispy top layer.
  • Peanut Butter: Introduces a deep, nutty flavor to complement the sweet cake.
Chocolate and Nut Toppings:
  • Peanut Butter Cups, Chocolate Chips: Deliver extra chocolate and peanut butter flavor with melty, indulgent texture.
  • Peanuts: Offer a crunchy contrast to the soft cake and add nutty depth.
Optional Serving Companions:
  • Whipped Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream: Provide a cool, creamy complement to the warm cake.

Step-by-Step for Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Heat the oven to 350F (175C). Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Pudding Base

Whisk together pudding mix and milk in a mixing bowl until completely smooth. Allow the mixture to sit and thicken for a few minutes.

Step 3: Layer Pudding in Dish

Spread the prepared pudding evenly across the bottom of the greased baking dish.

Step 4: Add Cake Mix Topping

Sprinkle the dry cake mix uniformly over the pudding layer, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 5: Drizzle Melted Goodness

Pour melted butter and peanut butter over the top. Use a spoon or knife to create a gentle swirling pattern across the surface.

Step 6: Scatter Delicious Toppings

Distribute the following ingredients across the cake:
  • Chopped peanut butter cups
  • Chocolate chips
  • Peanuts (optional)

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the edges are set but the center remains slightly soft and gooey.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Let the cake rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven.

Tips to Enhance Dump Cake Flavors

  • Whisk pudding mix and milk thoroughly to avoid lumps, ensuring a smooth, creamy base layer.
  • Drizzle melted butter and peanut butter in a zigzag pattern for an even, attractive distribution of flavors.
  • Adjust chocolate chips quantity based on personal preference for a more or less rich dessert.
  • Chop peanut butter cups into different sizes to create varied bites with different textures and melted chocolate pockets.
  • Enjoy warm for gooey center or let cool completely for a firmer cake-like consistency that's easier to slice.

Variations to Switch Up Dump Cake

  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Lovers Cake: Replace regular cake mix with gluten-free chocolate cake mix and use gluten-free pudding mix for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegan Peanut Butter Delight: Swap dairy milk with almond milk, use vegan butter, replace pudding with chia seed pudding, and add dairy-free chocolate chips and vegan peanut butter cups.
  • Low-Sugar Nutty Option: Use sugar-free pudding mix, sugar-free cake mix, and replace peanut butter cups with chopped sugar-free dark chocolate and unsalted nuts for a diabetic-friendly alternative.
  • Almond Butter Alternative: Substitute peanut butter with almond butter and use almond butter cups instead of peanut butter cups for a different nutty flavor profile.

Pairing Ideas for Peanut Butter Dump Cake

  • A dark, velvety chocolate stout beer complements the intense peanut butter and chocolate flavors, creating a decadent dessert experience with matching deep, complex notes.
  • The cool, smooth vanilla ice cream provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, rich cake, balancing the dense chocolate and peanut butter flavors while adding a luxurious texture.
  • A warm, sweet coffee drink with a hint of salt enhances the dessert's nutty and chocolate elements, offering a sophisticated and comforting beverage pairing that elevates the cake's indulgent profile.

How to Store Dump Cake Properly

  • Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover with plastic wrap or lid to prevent drying out and absorbing other refrigerator odors.
  • Wrap individual slices or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
  • Warm individual slices for 15-20 seconds on medium power. Check temperature and add 5-10 seconds if needed. Avoid overheating to maintain moisture.
  • Warm slices at 325F for 10-15 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent edges from burning. Remove foil for last 2-3 minutes to restore crispy top texture.

FAQs

  • Is this recipe suitable for beginners?

Yes, this dump cake is super easy to make. You don’t need advanced baking skills – just mix, pour, and bake. The recipe requires minimal preparation and almost no complicated techniques.

  • Can I use a different type of pudding mix?

Definitely! Vanilla or chocolate pudding mix will work great. The key is using instant pudding mix to help create the right texture and moisture for the cake.

  • Do I need to use name-brand peanut butter cups?

Not at all. Generic or store-brand peanut butter cups work perfectly fine. The goal is to have that delicious chocolate and peanut butter flavor throughout the cake.

Print
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Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe

Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Recipe


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4.9 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter merge in this irresistible Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake, creating a dessert that satisfies deepest chocolate cravings. Effortless preparation meets indulgent flavor, promising a quick and delicious treat that will delight your taste buds.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix
  • 1 (3.9 ounces/110 grams) box instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 2 cups whole milk

Dairy and Fat Components:

  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted

Toppings and Mix-ins:

  • 1 cup mini peanut butter cups, chopped
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
  • Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven at 350°F (175°C) and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
  2. Combine pudding mix and milk in a bowl, whisking until completely smooth and allowing the mixture to thicken for 2-3 minutes.
  3. Transfer the pudding mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
  4. Create a uniform layer by sprinkling the dry cake mix directly over the pudding, ensuring complete coverage.
  5. Melt the butter and peanut butter together, then drizzle the combined mixture over the cake mix layer, using a spoon to create gentle swirling patterns.
  6. Distribute chopped peanut butter cups, chocolate chips, and peanuts across the top of the cake, ensuring even coverage.
  7. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, watching for set edges and a slightly soft center.
  8. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to rest for 10 minutes, which helps it settle and become more stable.
  9. Serve warm, accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience.

Notes

  • Customize the sweetness by selecting different pudding mix flavors to match your taste preferences.
  • Use gluten-free cake mix and pudding to make this recipe celiac-friendly and accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • For a lighter version, substitute half the butter with Greek yogurt to reduce calories without compromising texture.
  • Experiment with alternative nut butters like almond or cashew butter for unique flavor variations and potential allergy considerations.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 349 kcal
  • Sugar: 32 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg
Mike Reynolds

Mike Reynolds

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Sustainable cooking techniques, Food photography

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech)
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Mike studied culinary arts with a strong focus on farm-to-table principles and sustainable cooking. His training emphasized the importance of fresh, local ingredients and environmentally responsible practices in the kitchen.


Mike’s food journey began deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where weekends at farmers’ markets and home-cooked meals sparked a lifelong obsession with simple, seasonal eating.
After earning his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, he set out to bring farm-to-table cooking into everyday kitchens, without the fuss.
Mike’s philosophy is all about keeping it fresh, unfussy, and full of heart. When he’s not crafting new single-serving recipes, he’s hiking mountain trails, chatting with local farmers, or experimenting with wild ingredients in his backyard kitchen.

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