Have you ever wished you could make a rich, bakery-level dessert without spending hours in the kitchen?
If so, this Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is about to become your new favorite recipe. It’s gooey, chocolatey, melty, sweet, and packed with peanut butter cups—all with almost zero effort. Just dump, bake, and enjoy.

This dessert is perfect for chocolate lovers, peanut butter fans, busy families, and anyone who wants a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Today, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make it flawlessly—step-by-step, beginner-friendly, and irresistibly delicious.

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This Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake is special for three big reasons:

1. It’s unbelievably easy.

No mixers, no complicated steps—just layer the ingredients and bake.

2. It tastes like a gourmet molten cake.

With melted chocolate, caramel-like peanut butter layers, and soft cake underneath, every bite is pure indulgence.

3. It’s fast.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Bake time: 40–45 minutes
Skill level: Beginner-friendly

Whether you’re hosting a party or craving a late-night treat, this dessert works every time.

Essential Ingredients

Here’s everything you need to make this rich, gooey dump cake:

Main Ingredients

• 1 box chocolate cake mix
• 1 can (12–14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 ½ cups peanut butter cups, chopped (mini or full-size)
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
• ½ cup melted butter
• 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk

Optional Mix-ins

• Crushed pretzels for crunch
• Salted peanuts
• Caramel sauce drizzle
• Mini marshmallows for extra gooeyness

Substitutions & Variations

• Use yellow cake mix instead of chocolate for a lighter base.
• Swap almond butter or Nutella for peanut butter.
• Use sugar-free ingredients (cake mix, chocolate chips, peanut butter cups) for a reduced-sugar version.
• Want extra richness? Add ½ cup sour cream to the cake mix for moisture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these easy steps for a perfect Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.

Step 3: Layer the Chocolate Base

Pour the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk into the bottom of the dish.
Sprinkle the chocolate cake mix evenly over the top. Do not mix.

Step 4: Add the Butter

Drizzle the melted butter evenly across the cake mix.
This helps it bake into a moist, gooey texture.

Step 5: Add Peanut Butter Goodness

Warm the peanut butter for 20–30 seconds in the microwave.
Drizzle or dollop it over the top.

Step 6: Load on the Chocolate

Add the chocolate chips and half of the chopped peanut butter cups.

Step 7: Bake

Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the edges are bubbly and the center is mostly set.

Step 8: Cool Slightly

Let it sit for 10 minutes so the layers can settle and thicken.

Assembly & Presentation Guide

After the cake cools slightly, sprinkle the remaining peanut butter cups over the top.
This gives you a melted + fresh peanut butter cup experience in every bite.

Presentation Tips

• Drizzle melted chocolate for a glossy finish.
• Serve warm with vanilla ice cream to balance the richness.
• Use mini peanut butter cups on top for a polished look.
• Scoop instead of slicing—dump cakes are beautifully messy.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Refrigeration

Store leftovers in an airtight container for 4–5 days.
Reheat in the microwave for 20–30 seconds.

Freezing

This cake freezes well for up to 2 months.
Wrap tightly in freezer wrap or a sealed container.

Make-Ahead

Prepare all ingredients in the baking dish, cover with foil, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Recipe Variations

Here are fun ways to customize this dessert:

1. Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake

Add ½ cup salted caramel sauce before baking.

2. Oreo Peanut Butter Dump Cake

Replace chocolate chips with crushed Oreos.

3. Banana Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake

Layer sliced banana under the cake mix.

4. Peanut Butter S’mores Dump Cake

Add marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs.

5. Triple Chocolate Overload

Use chocolate milk instead of heavy cream.

Conclusion

This Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake proves that dessert doesn’t have to be complicated to be amazing. With just a few simple ingredients and barely any work, you get a warm, gooey, peanut-butter-chocolate masterpiece.

Try the variations, swap ingredients, or add your own twist.
No matter what you do, this recipe guarantees a delicious, effortless treat every single time.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different cake mix?

Yes! Yellow, vanilla, fudge, or brownie mix all work well.

2. Can I make this dairy-free?

Use dairy-free chocolate, almond milk, and coconut milk for a similar texture.

3. Is this recipe gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free cake mix and gluten-free peanut butter cups.

4. Why is my dump cake dry?

You may need more liquid. Add ½ cup extra heavy cream or milk next time.

5. Can I reheat it?

Absolutely. Microwave for 20–30 seconds to restore the gooey center.

6. Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes! It’s simple, sweet, and fun for kids to help make.