Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

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Reese’s peanut butter cake is the kind of dessert that brings everyone to the table. It’s rich, chocolatey, and layered with the nutty sweetness we all love in a Reese’s cup. If you’re a busy parent looking for an easy birthday cake, a home cook wanting a crowd-pleasing potluck dessert, or just someone who craves a chocolate-peanut butter fix, this cake will quickly become your go-to. With straightforward steps and plenty of creative decorating options, this recipe is approachable, flexible, and always rewarding.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake

Moist and fudgy texture with a balance of chocolate and peanut butter

Beginner-friendly steps with results that look bakery-worthy
Captures the flavor of Reese’s cups in cake form, but more decadent

Works for birthdays, holidays, casual dinners, or weeknight indulgence

For me, this cake has become a birthday tradition in our family. It’s the one dessert I can count on to get empty plates and repeat requests.

Ingredient Breakdown for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake (with Measurements and Purpose)

This recipe keeps pantry staples at the center while leaning into that signature Reese’s flavor.

Cake Base:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups sugar
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot coffee or water (enhances chocolate depth)
Peanut Butter Filling or Frosting:
- ½ cup butter (room temp)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural style)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp milk or cream

Chocolate Ganache or Buttercream Option:
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 4 tbsp heavy cream

Reese’s Cups or Reese’s Pieces:
- Chopped and layered inside the cake or sprinkled on top
Optional Add-ins:
- 1 ripe banana (for extra moisture)
- Chopped brownies or blondie chunks folded into the batter

Every ingredient has a purpose: buttermilk keeps the crumb soft, coffee makes chocolate more pronounced, and creamy peanut butter ensures smooth frosting without graininess.

Step-by-Step Preparation Instructions for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake

Prepare Batter
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch pans or one bundt pan.
- Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix buttermilk, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
- Add hot coffee last; batter will be thin but bakes into a moist crumb.

Bake
- Divide batter evenly between pans.
- Bake 25–30 minutes (round pans) or 45–50 minutes (bundt cake).
- Test with a toothpick for doneness.
Prepare Filling or Frosting
- Beat butter and peanut butter until fluffy.
- Add powdered sugar and milk in stages until smooth.

Assemble
- Layer cake with peanut butter frosting or mousse filling.
- For poke cake, drizzle ganache into poke holes before frosting.
- For roll cake, spread filling evenly, then roll tightly.

Finish and Decorate
- Spread frosting or ganache around cake.
- Sprinkle chopped Reese’s cups or Reese’s Pieces.

This process adapts well to bundt cakes, poke cakes, dump cakes, mug cakes, and even ice cream cakes. I’ve tried all versions, but the bundt with ganache drizzle always gets the biggest reaction.

Decorating and Presentation Ideas

Ganache Drip: Pour chocolate ganache over the top and let it cascade down the sides, topping with chopped Reese’s cups.

Frosting Stars: Use a Wilton 2D or 1M piping tip to make decorative stars of peanut butter frosting.

Surprise Filling: Hide whole Reese’s cups inside the cake layers for a fun reveal.
Cupcake Twist: Bake as cupcakes and crown each with half a Reese’s.

Icebox Style: Stack chocolate cookies, whipped cream, and chopped Reese’s for a no-bake alternative.

Presentation doesn’t need to be perfect. The rustic look of over-the-top frosting and candy pieces feels just as inviting as a bakery-style finish.

Reeses Peanut Butter Cake Recipe — Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake Recipe for Family-Friendly Indulgence 5

When and How to Use Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake (Occasions, Storage)

Reese’s peanut butter cake is the kind of dessert that fits any gathering.

Birthdays: A Reese’s birthday cake or sheet cake makes a memorable centerpiece, especially for peanut butter fans.
Holidays: Bundt cakes or roll cakes are portable and slice easily for potlucks.

Summer Gatherings: Try an ice cream cake or frozen version layered with whipped cream and chopped cups.

Everyday Treats: Mug cakes, snack bars, or single-serving jars are great for weeknight cravings.

Storage Tips:

Room temperature: 24 hours in a covered container

Refrigerator: 3–5 days, airtight container

Freezer: Up to 2–3 months, double-wrapped in plastic and foil, thaw before serving

I often bake one in advance, slice it, and freeze individual pieces. It’s like having a ready-to-go treat after long workdays.

How Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake Supports Family Dinners and Special Occasions

This recipe is more than a dessert — it’s a reliable family pleaser.

Kid-Friendly: The chocolate-peanut butter combo never fails with little ones. Cupcake versions make portioning simple.

Budget-Friendly: Using a cake mix hack keeps it affordable without losing flavor.

Make-Ahead Friendly: Bundt cakes and ice cream cakes can be baked or assembled a day or two ahead.
Flexible Options: Works as a gluten-free version with certified mixes, a no-bake icebox cake, or even mug cakes for small households.

For my own family dinners, I’ve leaned on this cake as the “guaranteed win” — no matter how busy the day has been.

Recipe Variations You Can Try

Poke Cake: Bake a chocolate cake, poke holes, and pour ganache or peanut butter sauce inside before frosting.

Bundt Cake: Add a peanut butter swirl through the batter, then glaze with ganache.
Lava Cake: Hide Reese’s cups in the center for a molten surprise.

No-Bake Icebox Cake: Stack cookies, whipped cream, and Reese’s for a chilled summer version.

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free cake mix and certified gluten-free Reese’s cups.

These variations keep the same indulgent flavor while fitting different occasions and needs.

Tips, Adjustments, and Cautions for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake

Moisture Boost: Add sour cream or a mashed banana to avoid dryness.

Frosting Success: Use creamy peanut butter (not natural) for smooth frosting.

Assembly: Cool cakes fully before frosting to prevent melting.
Allergy Note: This is a peanut-heavy dessert and not suitable for peanut-sensitive households.

Freezer Trick: Freeze layers before decorating for easier handling.

These small tweaks make the difference between a good cake and one that becomes a family tradition.

FAQs

How do you make a Reese’s peanut butter cake from scratch?

Start with a homemade chocolate batter, layer with peanut butter frosting, and decorate with chopped Reese’s cups.

What’s the difference between Reese’s poke cake and dump cake?

A poke cake has ganache or filling poured into holes after baking, while a dump cake layers cake mix, peanut butter, and candy in a single pan.

Can I make a Reese’s ice cream cake at home?

Yes — layer chocolate ice cream, whipped cream, and Reese’s cups, then freeze overnight.

Which frosting is best for Reese’s peanut butter cake?

Peanut butter frosting pairs naturally, while chocolate ganache adds richness. Both can be used together.

Can I freeze Reese’s peanut butter cake for later?

Absolutely. Wrap slices individually, freeze up to 3 months, and thaw at room temp before serving.

Nutrition and Serving Size Notes

Average slice: 400–600 calories depending on frosting and add-ins
Higher in sugar and fat — best enjoyed as an indulgent treat

For precise details, use an online nutrition calculator with your chosen ingredients

Disclaimer: I’m not a nutritionist — just sharing what’s worked in my kitchen.

Conclusion

Reese’s peanut butter cake is more than dessert — it’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing centerpiece for any occasion. Whether you bake the classic layer version, a bundt, or an icebox cake, you’ll have a recipe that brings smiles every time. Bake one for your next gathering, freeze slices for weeknight treats, or share it with fellow Reese’s lovers — it’s a cake that always delivers.