Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 40–45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Difficulty Level: ★☆☆☆☆ (Super Easy)
Intensity: Low
Yields: 12 servings
Cuisine: American

---

Introduction

Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is a decadent dessert that combines the magic of chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter, and chopped peanut butter cups in one effortless recipe. It’s the dessert equivalent of comfort food — warm, melty, sweet, and packed with the irresistible duo of chocolate and peanut butter.

Perfect for potlucks, holidays, birthdays, or whenever you just need something sweet and satisfying, this dump cake is a crowd-pleaser that doesn’t require any baking skills. The best part? You literally dump the ingredients into a baking dish — no mixer, no complicated steps, no fuss.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for this ooey-gooey masterpiece:

• 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate fudge cake mix

• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (you can also swirl in crunchy!)

• 1½ cups chopped peanut butter cups (plus extra for topping)

• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, sliced into thin pats

• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, for extra gooeyness)

• ½ teaspoon salt (optional – enhances flavor balance)

• Non-stick cooking spray or butter (for greasing the pan)

Optional Toppings

• Vanilla ice cream

• Whipped cream

• Hot fudge sauce

• Crushed peanuts

• Caramel drizzle

Equipment Needed

• 9×13-inch baking dish

• Spatula or spoon

• Oven

• Knife or cookie scoop for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish generously with non-stick spray or butter. You’ll want an even coat to make serving easier later.

---

Step 2: Layer the Sweetened Condensed Milk and Peanut Butter

Pour the sweetened condensed milk into the bottom of your greased baking dish and spread it out evenly.

Warm the peanut butter slightly in the microwave (about 20–30 seconds), just until it’s soft and pourable. Drizzle or spoon it over the condensed milk layer, then swirl gently with a spoon or knife for even distribution.

Optional: Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of salt over the top for flavor balance — especially if you’re using sweet peanut butter cups.

---

Step 3: Add Chopped Peanut Butter Cups

Chop the peanut butter cups into bite-sized pieces and scatter 1½ cups over the peanut butter and milk layer. Make sure they’re evenly spread so every bite gets some gooey chocolate and peanut butter combo.

---

Step 4: Sprinkle the Cake Mix

Open your box of chocolate fudge cake mix and evenly sprinkle the dry mix over the peanut butter cup layer. Do not mix or stir — the “dump” in dump cake means just that.

Tip: Use the back of a spoon to gently spread the cake mix evenly over the top.

Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips and Butter

If you’re using chocolate chips, now is the time to sprinkle them evenly over the dry cake mix.

Then, place thin slices of butter all across the surface of the cake mix. Make sure they’re spread evenly to ensure good coverage and full moisture. The butter will melt into the cake mix as it bakes and create that iconic dump cake crust.

---

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the top is set, the edges are bubbling, and the middle no longer looks wet.

Let the cake rest for 10–15 minutes after baking to firm up slightly. It’s meant to be gooey but not runny.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Scoop into bowls and serve warm. For an extra treat, top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of hot fudge, or a dollop of whipped cream.

This cake is rich, so small servings go a long way — but we won’t judge if you go back for seconds!

Serving Suggestions

• Serve at birthday parties, potlucks, or casual get-togethers.

• Pair with cold milk or coffee for a satisfying finish.

• Turn it into a sundae station by offering a few topping options.

Storage Tips

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave for 20–30 seconds before serving.

• Freezer: Freeze in individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as needed.

• Reheating: This dump cake is best enjoyed warm. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or the whole tray in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10–15 minutes.

---

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Use quality peanut butter cups — the better the candy, the better the cake!

• If you’re short on butter, substitute with ½ cup melted butter poured evenly over the top.

• Don’t overbake. The center should be gooey. It will firm up slightly as it cools.

Nutrition Info (Per Serving – Approximate)

Note: This is a rich dessert. To lighten it up, reduce the peanut butter to ¾ cup and use low-fat sweetened condensed milk.