Decadent Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For a truly decadent experience, serve each warm portion with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

The temperature contrast between the hot, gooey cake and the cold, creamy ice cream creates a professional-level dessert experience that is perfect for hosting guests or enjoying a quiet night at home.

If you find the top is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent the baking dish with aluminum foil for the final 10 minutes of baking.

This ensures the center is fully cooked through without risking the edges becoming overly crisp or burnt, maintaining the delicate balance of textures that makes this dessert so popular.

Variations

• Salted Caramel Twist: Drizzle two tablespoons of thick salted caramel sauce over the peanut butter cups before adding the chocolate chips. The salt cuts through the sweetness of the chocolate, providing a sophisticated balance that elevates the entire dish.
• Nutty Crunch Version: Add a half-cup of chopped roasted peanuts along with the peanut butter cups. This adds a significant crunch and enhances the nutty profile of the dish, providing a nice contrast to the soft, molten center of the cake.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Warm in the microwave for 20-30 seconds before serving.

Freezer

Not recommended, as the texture of the molten chocolate and peanut butter can become grainy after thawing.

Reheat

Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 20-30 seconds until warm throughout, or in a 300°F oven for 8-10 minutes.

Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator where it will maintain its quality for up to five days.

Always bring the cake to room temperature or warm it slightly before consuming to restore that signature molten texture.

This dish is best enjoyed fresh from the oven, but you can assemble the dry layers in the baking dish several hours in advance. Keep the dish covered at room temperature.

Only drizzle the melted butter over the top immediately before placing the dish into the preheated oven to ensure the best possible texture.

Serving ideas

Serve this dessert warm, directly from the baking dish. Use a large spoon to scoop out generous portions, ensuring each serving gets a good mix of the crispy edges and the gooey, molten center. The visual appeal of the melted chocolate and peanut butter is best showcased when served immediately.

If desired, you can dust the top with a small amount of powdered sugar or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce just before serving. However, the cake is rich enough on its own that it does not require additional toppings. Ensure you have small bowls or plates ready to catch any of the warm, gooey filling.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Decadent Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake

Prep 10 minCook 45 minRest 10 minTotal 1 h 5 minServes 9

Ingredients

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 12 standard size peanut butter cups, chopped
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x9 inch square baking dish. Pour the dry chocolate cake mix evenly into the bottom of the prepared dish, smoothing it out with a spatula to create an even layer.
2. Scatter the chopped peanut butter cups uniformly over the dry cake mix. Next, sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips over the top. Slowly and evenly drizzle the melted butter over the entire surface, ensuring the dry mix is well saturated.
3. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the edges are bubbling and the center is set. Remove from the oven and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving warm.

Contains: gluten, eggs, milk, peanuts, soy

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

420

Protein

5 g

Carbohydrates

58 g

Fat

19 g

Fiber

1.5 g

Sugar

42 g

Sodium

380 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.