Death by Chocolate Peanut Butter Dump Cake The Ultimate Indulgence You Didn’t Know You Needed
If you’re a chocolate lover with a soft spot for peanut butter, this dump cake will blow your mind. It’s rich, gooey, melty, sweet, and salty — all baked into one dangerously delicious dessert. Get ready to dig into a cake so decadent, it earned the name Death by Chocolate. Are you brave enough?
What Is a Dump Cake
A dump cake is the ultimate lazy dessert — but don’t let the name fool you. It’s simple to make but full of flavor, requiring no fancy layers or complicated steps. You literally just “dump” the ingredients into the baking dish and let the oven do the magic. This version adds the unbeatable combo of chocolate and peanut butter, then tops it with melted chocolate, peanuts, and gooey marshmallows.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Topping:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped peanuts (optional but highly recommended for crunch)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows (optional for that melty, toasted topping)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, mix peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the melted butter and stir until fully incorporated.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Stir gently until the dry ingredients are fully mixed with the wet.
Step 4: Add Milk, Eggs & Vanilla
- Pour in the milk, crack in the eggs, and add vanilla extract.
- Mix everything until you get a thick, smooth batter.
Step 5: Bake
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
Step 6: Add the Toppings
- Right after removing the cake from the oven, sprinkle the top with chocolate chips.
- Then add the chopped peanuts and mini marshmallows (if using).
- Return the cake to the oven for about 5 more minutes, just until the chocolate melts and marshmallows are lightly golden.
Step 7: Cool & Serve
- Let the cake cool for 15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve warm for the ultimate gooey experience — or refrigerate and enjoy as a fudgy, dense treat the next day.
Total Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 35 minutes
- Additional Bake Time (Toppings): 5 minutes
- Cooling Time: 15 minutes
- Total: ~1 hour
Serving Suggestions
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a hot-and-cold contrast.
- Drizzle with chocolate syrup or caramel sauce.
- Sprinkle extra crushed peanuts for a salty crunch.
- Tips for Best Results
- Use natural peanut butter for a richer, less sugary flavor.
- Want it even chocolatier? Add ½ cup of dark chocolate chunks into the batter.
- Don’t overbake — the key to this cake is the moist, fudgy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Just use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Absolutely. Cut into squares, wrap individually, and freeze for up to 1 month.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Definitely. You can bake the cake the day before and reheat slices in the microwave when ready to serve.
Final Thoughts: Is This the Most Decadent Cake Ever?
This Death by Chocolate Peanut Butter Dump Cake is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for parties, family dinners, or anytime you need a chocolate fix. It’s:
- Super easy to make
- Loaded with rich chocolate
- Balanced by salty-sweet peanut butter
- Gooey, melty, and irresistible
One bite and you’ll understand the hype.
Try it once, and it’ll become your go-to chocolate dessert forever. Ready to bake it today? Let us know how it turns out in the comments!