It is a layered dessert that is not mixed․ A mixture of dry cake mix and melted butter is baked over a filling to create a cobbler-style topping․

Can I use another cake mix?

Try a yellow cake mix or brownie mix layered the same way․ The cake will not have a chocolate-heavy look on top when you use a yellow cake mix․ Adding a brownie mix layer will give a fudgier result․

Why did my dump cake turn out dry?

Dry spots in layered cakes result from uneven application of melted butter to the cake mix; use every effort to apply melted butter evenly to the pan․ Add sweetened condensed milk to the bottom layer to help prevent dryness․ Do not stir the layers of batter to maintain separation between layers․ Bake until the outside edges are firm but the center remains soft․

Can I make it in a slow cooker?

Yes․ Mix all ingredients in a 6-quart slow cooker․ Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 2 hours․ Put a paper towel under the cover to absorb excess liquid․ The edges should be bubbly‚ and the top should be set․

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftovers in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days․ Reheat individual servings in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds․ You can also reheat the entire dish in a 300°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes․

Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake: 5-Ingredient Chocolate Dessert

By Felix GrantOct 22, 2026

Prep

5 min

Cook

45 min

Total

50 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

Full-size peanut butter cups‌ are used in this recipe․ This dump cake recipe with five‌ ingredients includes a warm chocolate topping and melted peanut butter cups for a cake with a soft consistency․ I cut regular peanut butter cups into quarters before placing them in the‌ cake to avoid areas without peanut butter cups․

Peanut Butter Cup Dump Cake: 5-Ingredient Chocolate Dessert

I combine sweetened condensed milk and regular milk in a greased 9×13-inch‌ pan․ I top them with chopped candy‌ and a dry cake mix layer․ I don't stir the cake‌ layers․ Stirring the layers would‌ produce the same mixture at the bottom and top of the cake․ I like‌ having layers because the bottom forms a soft-set center‚ and the top forms a tender cake layer․

Sprinkle the mixture onto the cake as evenly as you can and drizzle melted butter over the cake as best you can․ Parts of the cake not covered will be dry․ I remove the pan once the sides are firm and most of the top starts to bubble‚ although the middle is still soft‚ this is what I prefer‚ and let the cake cool for 15 minutes or longer before eating․

Five minutes of prep time before baking․ I bake this recipe for easy dessert that doesn't require icing and doesn't have to be served cold‚ with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream․ I like to serve vanilla ice cream with this recipe because it melts into the chocolate topping․

Why you'll love this recipe

Sixteen large peanut butter cups are added to the candy after it has been cut into fourths to mix it․
Sweetened condensed milk gives the base layer a creamy‚ spoonable texture and flavor․
A box of chocolate fudge cake mix yields batter for a 9×13-inch cake․ You don't have to measure or clean flour․
Salted butter adds moisture to dry ingredients and a good texture to the crust and bubbly edges of baked goods․
Use peanut butter cups of your choice because they will add a unique flavor to baked goods․
The same base can be used for devil's food and other yellow and brown cakes if those are the cake mixes you have on hand․

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.

Pour the sweetened condensed milk and milk into the dish, then whisk until smooth.

Sprinkle the chopped peanut butter cups evenly over the milk mixture.

Scatter the dry chocolate fudge cake mix evenly over the peanut butter cups. Do not stir.

Drizzle the melted butter over the cake mix, covering as much of the surface as possible.

Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the top is set and the edges are bubbly.

Let the cake cool for at least 15 minutes before serving warm.

FAQ

Buy 16 full-size peanut butter cups from a company that makes peanut butter cup snacks you enjoy․ Slice each peanut butter cup into four pieces to ensure even distribution of peanut butter and chocolate in the recipe․

1 / 2

Desserts American Baking