Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a rich, indulgent dessert bursting with flavor and texture. Moist chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter swirls, gooey pockets of cream cheese, and melty chocolate chips come together in one luscious bite. Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or whenever you’re craving a dessert that wows, this cake is as fun to make as it is to eat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Decadent Flavors – Layers of chocolate, cream cheese, and peanut butter create an irresistible combination.
Super Moist – The batter bakes up tender and gooey with creamy swirls throughout.
Easy to Prepare – Simple ingredients and a no-fuss method.
Crowd-Pleaser – A stunning dessert that’s guaranteed to impress.
Ingredients
- 1 box (15–16 oz) chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: usually eggs, oil, water)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped peanuts (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Prepare the chocolate cake batter according to the package instructions. Pour into the prepared pan. - Make the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until smooth. - Add Peanut Butter
Warm the peanut butter slightly (if too thick) and drizzle it over the cake batter. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the top. - Add Chocolate Chips
Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the batter. - Bake the Cake
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is still slightly gooey. - Cool and Serve
Allow to cool slightly before slicing. Garnish with chopped peanuts if desired and serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information
Calories: ~380
Protein: 6g
Fat: 22g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Sugar: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Tips for Success
- Soften Ingredients – Make sure cream cheese and butter are softened for a smooth filling.
- Don’t Overbake – The center should stay slightly gooey for that “earthquake” effect.
- Customize – Add white chocolate chips or a drizzle of caramel for extra decadence.
Why This Recipe Works
The gooey cream cheese and peanut butter pockets create rich swirls throughout the moist chocolate cake, while chocolate chips add bursts of melty sweetness. Each slice has a perfect balance of creamy, fudgy, and tender textures.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake is a decadent dessert that blends chocolate, peanut butter, and cream cheese into one irresistible treat. Easy to make and impossible to resist, it’s the ultimate cake for celebrations, gatherings, or anytime you want a dessert that truly stands out.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake – Gooey, Decadent, and Irresistible
12
15
minutes45
380
kcalA gooey, rich chocolate cake swirled with creamy peanut butter, sweetened cream cheese, and melty chocolate chips — a decadent dessert that lives up to its name.
Ingredients
1 box (15–16 oz) chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients listed on the box: usually eggs, oil, water)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup chopped peanuts (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Batter
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Prepare the chocolate cake batter according to the package instructions. Pour into the prepared pan. - Make the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar until smooth. - Add Peanut Butter
Warm the peanut butter slightly (if too thick) and drizzle it over the cake batter. Drop spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture over the top. - Add Chocolate Chips
Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the batter. - Bake the Cake
Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is still slightly gooey. - Cool and Serve
Allow to cool slightly before slicing. Garnish with chopped peanuts if desired and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Soften Ingredients – Make sure cream cheese and butter are softened for a smooth filling.
Don’t Overbake – The center should stay slightly gooey for that “earthquake” effect.
Customize – Add white chocolate chips or a drizzle of caramel for extra decadence.