Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake with Reese’s Cups – Decadent, Rich & Outrageously Good

🎉 Introduction

When chocolate and peanut butter collide, magic happens — and this Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake with Reese’s Cups is the ultimate indulgence. Moist chocolate cake layers, whipped peanut butter frosting, a rich ganache drip, and chopped Reese’s cups throughout… it’s a dessert made for serious celebration.

Whether it’s for a birthday, a party, or just because you need a sweet escape, this cake delivers big flavor, bold texture, and a presentation that turns heads. Each slice is layered with deep chocolate, sweet peanut butter, and crunchy, gooey bits of your favorite candy.

This cake isn’t just a dessert — it’s an experience.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• 3 x 8-inch or 2 x 9-inch round cake pans
• Stand mixer or electric hand mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Offset spatula
• Cake turntable (optional, but helpful)
• Piping bag & tips (optional)
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Small saucepan (for ganache)
• Serrated knife (for leveling)

🍰 Bake, frost, drizzle, and layer your way to chocolate peanut butter bliss!

🛒 Ingredients

🍫 For the Chocolate Cake Layers

• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water

🥜 For the Peanut Butter Frosting

• 1 1/4 cups peanut butter
• 1 cup salted butter, softened
• 6 tbsp milk or water
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

🍫 For the Chocolate Ganache

• 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

🍬 For Garnish & Filling

• 1 cup Reese’s cups, chopped and crumbled
• Extra whole or halved Reese’s for topping
• Chocolate sprinkles (optional)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Make the Chocolate Cake Layers

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and line 3 8-inch or 2 9-inch round cake pans with parchment.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together:
   • Sugar
   • Flour
   • Cocoa powder
   • Baking soda
   • Baking powder
   • Salt
4. In another bowl, whisk:
   • Eggs
   • Milk
   • Oil
   • Vanilla
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
6. Gradually add hot water and whisk until smooth and pourable.

⚠️ Batter will be thin — this ensures ultra-moist texture!

7. Pour evenly into pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Cool completely on a rack.

Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Frosting

1. In a bowl, beat butter and peanut butter together until smooth.
2. Add vanilla and 3 tbsp milk.
3. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Add more milk as needed for creamy consistency.
4. Whip until light and fluffy — about 3–5 minutes.

🥜 This frosting is luscious, salty-sweet, and pipes beautifully!

Step 3: Make the Chocolate Ganache

1. In a small bowl, add chocolate chips.
2. Heat cream in a saucepan or microwave until just simmering.
3. Pour over chocolate chips and let sit for 1 minute.
4. Stir until silky and smooth. Cool slightly before using.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

1. Level cake layers with a serrated knife if needed.
2. Place first layer on cake stand. Spread with frosting and scatter crumbled Reese’s cups.
3. Repeat with second layer.
4. Add third layer, then frost entire cake in a thin crumb coat. Chill for 20 minutes.
5. Apply final layer of frosting smoothly. Chill again before drizzling ganache.

Step 5: Decorate Like a Pro

1. Drizzle cooled ganache over top of cake, letting it drip down the sides.
2. Pipe extra frosting on top (optional).
3. Garnish with more chopped and whole Reese’s cups.
4. Chill cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

🍬 This cake cuts beautifully when cold, but is best enjoyed at room temp.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Yield: 12–16 servings
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Bake Time: 35 minutes
• Cooling + Assembly: ~1 hour
• Total Time: ~2 hours

Perfect for birthdays, bake sales, or the ultimate chocolate craving.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator

• Store covered for up to 5 days. Let sit at room temp before serving for best flavor.

Freezer

• Freeze unfrosted cake layers up to 2 months. Wrap tightly.
• Frosted cake can be frozen whole or in slices. Thaw in fridge overnight.

🥄 Variations

• 🍫 Double Chocolate Version – Use chocolate buttercream instead of peanut butter.
• 🧁 Cupcake Style – Use this batter to make 24 cupcakes and top with mini Reese’s.
• 🥥 Add Crunch – Mix in crushed pretzels or chopped peanuts between layers.
• 🎂 Peanut Butter Mousse Layer – Add a whipped PB mousse layer in the center for extra texture.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I make this as a two-layer cake?
Yes! Just divide batter between two 9-inch pans and bake slightly longer.

2. Can I use natural peanut butter?
It’s best to use conventional creamy PB like Jif or Skippy for stable frosting.

3. How do I keep the cake moist?
Don’t overbake, and store tightly wrapped to retain moisture.

4. Can I use boxed cake mix?
Yes! Use chocolate cake mix for ease, but homemade always wins on flavor.

5. Can I skip the ganache?
Yes — but it adds a stunning finish. Alternatively, top with extra frosting.

6. Can I make this ahead?
Definitely. Cake layers can be made 1–2 days ahead and stored wrapped.

7. What’s the best way to slice this cake?
Use a hot knife (run under hot water and dry) for clean slices.

8. Is this overly sweet?
It’s rich but balanced — the saltiness of PB offsets the sweetness beautifully.

9. Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, sub a 1:1 GF flour blend. Check your baking soda/powder are GF as well.

10. What drinks go well with this?
Cold milk, coffee, or a bold red wine (like Zinfandel) pair beautifully.

🏁 Conclusion

If you’re a chocolate and peanut butter lover (and honestly, who isn’t?), this Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake with Reese’s Cups will be your dream come true. It’s rich, moist, and layered with indulgent flavor and texture — perfect for impressing guests or simply treating yourself.

Each bite hits that ideal balance of sweet, salty, crunchy, and creamy. And thanks to the homemade frosting, ganache drizzle, and candy topping, it feels just as fun as it is delicious.

Adam

Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake with Reese’s Cups – Decadent, Rich & Outrageously Good

When chocolate and peanut butter collide, magic happens — and this Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake with Reese’s Cups is the ultimate indulgence. Moist chocolate cake layers, whipped peanut butter frosting, a rich ganache drip, and chopped Reese’s cups throughout… it’s a dessert made for serious celebration. Whether it’s for a birthday, a party, or just because you need a sweet escape, this cake delivers big flavor, bold texture, and a presentation that turns heads. Each slice is layered with deep chocolate, sweet peanut butter, and crunchy, gooey bits of your favorite candy. This cake isn’t just a dessert — it’s an experience.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

bake & Cooling & Assembly time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Servings: 16 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🍫 For the Chocolate Cake Layers

• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water

🥜 For the Peanut Butter Frosting

• 1 1/4 cups peanut butter
• 1 cup salted butter softened
• 6 tbsp milk or water
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

🍫 For the Chocolate Ganache

• 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

🍬 For Garnish & Filling

• 1 cup Reese’s cups chopped and crumbled
• Extra whole or halved Reese’s for topping
• Chocolate sprinkles optional

Equipment

• 3 x 8-inch or 2 x 9-inch round cake pans
• Stand mixer or electric hand mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Offset spatula
• Cake turntable (optional but helpful)
• Piping bag & tips (optional)
• Microwave-safe bowl
• Small saucepan (for ganache)
• Serrated knife (for leveling)
• 🍰 Bake, frost, drizzle, and layer your way to chocolate peanut butter bliss!

Method

 

Step 1: Make the Chocolate Cake Layers

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Grease and line 3 8-inch or 2 9-inch round cake pans with parchment.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together:
4. Sugar
5. Flour
6. Cocoa powder
7. Baking soda
8. Baking powder
9. Salt
10. In another bowl, whisk:
11. Eggs
12. Milk
13. Oil
14. Vanilla
15. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
16. Gradually add hot water and whisk until smooth and pourable.

⚠️ Batter will be thin — this ensures ultra-moist texture!

1. Pour evenly into pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
2. Cool completely on a rack.

Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Frosting

1. In a bowl, beat butter and peanut butter together until smooth.
2. Add vanilla and 3 tbsp milk.
3. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Add more milk as needed for creamy consistency.
4. Whip until light and fluffy — about 3–5 minutes.

🥜 This frosting is luscious, salty-sweet, and pipes beautifully!

Step 3: Make the Chocolate Ganache

1. In a small bowl, add chocolate chips.
2. Heat cream in a saucepan or microwave until just simmering.
3. Pour over chocolate chips and let sit for 1 minute.
4. Stir until silky and smooth. Cool slightly before using.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

1. Level cake layers with a serrated knife if needed.
2. Place first layer on cake stand. Spread with frosting and scatter crumbled Reese’s cups.
3. Repeat with second layer.
4. Add third layer, then frost entire cake in a thin crumb coat. Chill for 20 minutes.
5. Apply final layer of frosting smoothly. Chill again before drizzling ganache.

Step 5: Decorate Like a Pro

1. Drizzle cooled ganache over top of cake, letting it drip down the sides.
2. Pipe extra frosting on top (optional).
3. Garnish with more chopped and whole Reese’s cups.
4. Chill cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing.

🍬 This cake cuts beautifully when cold, but is best enjoyed at room temp.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator
Store covered for up to 5 days. Let sit at room temp before serving for best flavor.

Freezer
Freeze unfrosted cake layers up to 2 months. Wrap tightly.

Frosted cake can be frozen whole or in slices. Thaw in fridge overnight.

🥄 Variations

🍫 Double Chocolate Version – Use chocolate buttercream instead of peanut butter.

🧁 Cupcake Style – Use this batter to make 24 cupcakes and top with mini Reese’s.

🥥 Add Crunch – Mix in crushed pretzels or chopped peanuts between layers.

🎂 Peanut Butter Mousse Layer – Add a whipped PB mousse layer in the center for extra texture.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I make this as a two-layer cake?
Yes! Just divide batter between two 9-inch pans and bake slightly longer.

2. Can I use natural peanut butter?
It’s best to use conventional creamy PB like Jif or Skippy for stable frosting.

3. How do I keep the cake moist?
Don’t overbake, and store tightly wrapped to retain moisture.

4. Can I use boxed cake mix?
Yes! Use chocolate cake mix for ease, but homemade always wins on flavor.

5. Can I skip the ganache?
Yes — but it adds a stunning finish. Alternatively, top with extra frosting.

6. Can I make this ahead?
Definitely. Cake layers can be made 1–2 days ahead and stored wrapped.

7. What’s the best way to slice this cake?
Use a hot knife (run under hot water and dry) for clean slices.

8. Is this overly sweet?
It’s rich but balanced — the saltiness of PB offsets the sweetness beautifully.

9. Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, sub a 1:1 GF flour blend. Check your baking soda/powder are GF as well.

10. What drinks go well with this?
Cold milk, coffee, or a bold red wine (like Zinfandel) pair beautifully.

🏁 Conclusion

If you’re a chocolate and peanut butter lover (and honestly, who isn’t?), this Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake with Reese’s Cups will be your dream come true. It’s rich, moist, and layered with indulgent flavor and texture — perfect for impressing guests or simply treating yourself.

Each bite hits that ideal balance of sweet, salty, crunchy, and creamy. And thanks to the homemade frosting, ganache drizzle, and candy topping, it feels just as fun as it is delicious.