Chocolate Peanut Butter Bundt Cake with Ganache and Mini Reese’s Cups Recipe

If you are a fan of irresistible indulgence, this Chocolate Peanut Butter Bundt Cake with Ganache and Mini Reese’s Cups Recipe is going to become your new favorite treat. Imagine rich, fudgy layers of chocolate cake and brownie batter perfectly swirled with a creamy peanut butter cream cheese filling, all crowned with a glossy chocolate ganache and garnished with mini Reese’s Cups. Each bite delivers the ultimate balance of moist cake, silky peanut butter, and rich chocolate, making this bundt cake an unforgettable showstopper for any occasion. Seriously, it’s one of those desserts you’ll find yourself dreaming about long after the last slice disappears!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind this recipe lies in a handful of straightforward ingredients that come together to create a mouthwatering flavor explosion. Each is essential to achieving the perfect texture, taste, and appearance — from the base of cake and brownie mixes that bring moisture and density, to the peanut butter and cream cheese that provide the luscious, creamy swirl inside.

• Chocolate cake mix: Forms the moist and tender chocolate base of the cake, essential for that rich cocoa flavor.
• Brownie mix: Adds fudgy, dense texture to complement the cake mix, creating a dynamic duo in the batter.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and provide structure for the cake.
• Water: Keeps the batter hydrated and ensures even mixing, yielding a soft crumb.
• Oil: Adds moisture and richness, keeping the cake deliciously tender.
• Cream cheese (softened): Blends with peanut butter to create the creamy filling that contrasts beautifully with the chocolate layers.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture, balancing the peanut butter’s savoriness.
• Peanut butter: The star ingredient, delivering that classic nutty flavor both inside the cake and drizzled on top.
• Chocolate chips (semi-sweet): Melted with cream to form the shiny ganache glaze, adding a decadent finish.
• Heavy whipping cream: Creates the smooth, luscious ganache that melts perfectly over the cake.
• Mini Reese’s Cups: The fun and festive garnish that makes each slice pop with peanut butter and chocolate delight.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Bundt Cake with Ganache and Mini Reese’s Cups Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then grease a 10-cup bundt pan thoroughly to ensure that your cake will come out smooth and perfect after baking. Getting this step right prevents any frustrating sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Batter

In a large bowl, mix together the chocolate cake mix, brownie mix, eggs, water, and oil. Keep in mind some cake or brownie mixes may require slight recipe adjustments, so double-check the instructions on your specific boxes to include any needed extras. This combined mixture will give you a wonderfully rich and moist chocolate base.

Step 3: Add the First Layer of Batter

Pour half of your combined batter into the greased bundt pan, spreading it evenly. This will form the bottom and base for the creamy peanut butter filling.

Step 4: Prepare the Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Filling

In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and peanut butter until smooth and creamy. This luscious mixture is what makes this bundt cake truly stand out with creamy peanut butter pockets inside.

Step 5: Layer the Filling

Drop spoonfuls of the peanut butter cream cheese mixture all around the surface of the batter in the pan. Don’t worry about perfect spreading — these pockets will swirl beautifully as you add the last layer of batter.

Step 6: Add the Final Batter Layer

Top the peanut butter filling with the rest of the chocolate batter, smoothing gently to even it out. This layering ensures each slice has pockets of peanut butter goodness surrounded by moist chocolate.

Step 7: Bake Your Bundt Cake

Place the bundt pan on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake for 50-60 minutes. Your cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before gently inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Make the Chocolate Ganache

Heat the heavy whipping cream in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute until hot but not boiling. Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and let them sit for 5 minutes to soften. Stir until the mixture is smooth and glossy. This luscious ganache is the perfect finishing touch for your bundt cake.

Step 9: Add Ganache and Peanut Butter Drizzle

Drizzle the chocolate ganache generously over the cooled cake. Then melt the extra peanut butter in the microwave for about 20 seconds and drizzle it over the ganache. This layering of chocolate and peanut butter glazes will make your cake irresistible.

Step 10: Garnish with Mini Reese’s Cups

Top your cake with chopped or whole mini Reese’s Cups for extra bursts of peanut butter and chocolate. The garnish not only looks festive but adds delightful texture to each bite. Now your cake is ready to serve and wow your friends and family!

How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Bundt Cake with Ganache and Mini Reese’s Cups Recipe

Garnishes

Adding mini Reese’s Cups is an obvious crowd-pleaser, but you can also experiment with chopped peanuts for a crunchy contrast or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra elegance. Whipped cream on the side also balances the richness beautifully.

Side Dishes

This bundt cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of peanut butter-flavored whipped cream. Fresh berries like raspberries can add a pop of freshness that cuts through the richness, making each bite feel lighter and more balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve individual slices with extra ganache drizzled on the plate, garnished with a mini Reese’s on the side. You could even turn this into cupcakes by baking the batter in cupcake tins and topping each with ganache and a mini cup for a cute, shareable dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cake tightly wrapped or covered in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain freshness. For longer storage, refrigeration is best but may slightly firm up the texture.

Freezing

If you want to make this cake ahead of time, it freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.

Reheating

To warm a slice, gently microwave it in 15-second increments until just warmed—be careful not to overheat and dry out the cake. You can also enjoy the slices chilled, as the ganache and peanut butter flavors shine through beautifully either way.

FAQs

Can I use homemade cake and brownie batter instead of box mixes?

Absolutely! Feel free to substitute your favorite homemade chocolate cake and brownie batters. Just make sure the batter amounts match the recipe to maintain the right texture and structure for layering with the peanut butter filling.

Is it necessary to use both cake mix and brownie mix?

Using both adds a wonderful depth of texture—moist and fluffy from the cake mix and fudgy richness from the brownie mix. You can experiment with just one, but the combined effect is truly what makes this bundt cake special.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free or vegan?

This recipe relies heavily on dairy ingredients like cream cheese and heavy cream for the ganache, so substitutions would require adjustments. Using dairy-free cream cheese and cream alternatives might work, but the texture and taste will vary.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

Use a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center of the cake. When it comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached, your cake is perfectly baked and ready to cool.

Can I prepare this cake a day ahead for a party?

Yes! This cake actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld beautifully. Just store it covered at room temperature or in the fridge and add the ganache and garnishes right before serving for the freshest look.

Final Thoughts

If you’re after a cake that perfectly blends the best of chocolate and peanut butter, this Chocolate Peanut Butter Bundt Cake with Ganache and Mini Reese’s Cups Recipe is a must-try. It’s rich yet approachable, decadent yet balanced, and guaranteed to impress anyone lucky enough to have a slice. Go ahead and treat yourself and your loved ones to this show-stopping delight — you won’t regret it!

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