Go Back
Delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake with gooey cheesecake and chocolate chips.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake

A big, messy, and comforting dessert combining chocolate and peanut butter into a cake that looks impressive and tastes heavenly.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Base
  • 1 box Chocolate cake mix Plus the eggs, oil, and water it calls for
Peanut Butter Swirl
  • 8 oz Cream cheese Softened
  • 1 cup Powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup Peanut butter Creamy is easiest to swirl
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract Optional, but nice
Add-ins
  • 1 cup Chocolate chips Optional, but recommended
  • 1/2 cup Chopped peanut butter cups or chopped peanuts Optional for extra crunch

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to the temperature indicated on the cake mix box and grease a 9x13 pan.
  2. Prepare the chocolate cake batter according to the box directions and pour it into the prepared pan.
  3. In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar. Add peanut butter and vanilla extract, mixing until thick and spreadable. If too stiff, add a spoonful of milk.
Assembly
  1. Sprinkle chocolate chips and any additional chopped peanut butter cups over the cake batter.
  2. Dollop spoonfuls of the cream cheese peanut butter mixture over the top and swirl lightly with a butter knife.
Baking
  1. Bake until the edges are set and the center looks mostly set but slightly soft. Avoid overbaking.
  2. Cool for 20-30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

For best flavor, store covered at room temperature for a few hours; in the fridge for 4-5 days; and in the freezer for longer storage. Thaw pieces in the fridge and warm in the microwave if desired.