The Best Reese’s Cake Recipe: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Perfection

Reese's cake on table.
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Calling all chocolate and peanut butter fans—this Easy Reese’s Cake recipe is about to become your new favorite dessert! 🍫🥜

With layers of rich, moist chocolate cake, creamy peanut butter frosting, and a generous topping of crushed Reese’s candies, this cake is pure indulgence.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just craving a decadent treat, this Reese’s-inspired cake is easy to make and guaranteed to impress.

Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any day you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, this recipe is a must-try for dessert lovers everywhere! 🎂✨

Equipment You Will Need To Make The Best Reese’s Cake

Reese's cake on cake platter.
Reese's cake piece.

Ingredients To Make The Perfect Chocolate Cake

Ingredients For Peanut Butter Frosting

Ingredients For Chocolate Ganache

How to Make Reese’s Cake (step-by-step)

Making The Chocolate Cake

Making the Peanut Butter Frosting

Making the Chocolate Ganache

Tips For Making The Perfect Reese’s cake

Reese's cake piece on a plate.

2. Don’t Skimp on the Peanut Butter Frosting

3. Add a Chocolate Ganache Drizzle

4. Decorate with Reese’s Candies

5. Chill Before Slicing

Reese's cake.

How To Store Your Reese’s Cake

Storing your Reese’s Cake properly ensures it stays fresh, moist, and delicious for days!

Once the cake is assembled and frosted, cover it with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to keep it from drying out.

If you plan to enjoy it within 2–3 days, you can leave it at room temperature, but for longer storage, pop it in the refrigerator.

Refrigeration helps preserve the creamy peanut butter frosting and chocolate ganache, keeping every layer perfectly rich.

Before serving, let the cake sit at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes to bring out its full flavor and texture.

If you have leftovers, you can even freeze slices by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

These tips make it easy to savor every last bite of your Reese’s Cake!

Reese's cake.

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The Best Reese’s Cake Recipe: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Perfection

Cath’s Kitchen
Rich, moist chocolate cake layered with peanut butter frosting and topped with Reese’s candies—this Reese’s Cake is a dessert lover’s dream! Perfect for birthdays, parties, or anytime you’re craving chocolate and peanut butter.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Chocolate Cake:

  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp espresso powder
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup milk or milk alternatives
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water

For the Peanut Butter Frosting:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 4-5 tbsp milk or milk alternatives
  • 2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Ganache:

  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup heavy cream see notes for lactose-free alternative

Topping

  • cups chopped Reese’s cups (mini or full-size)
  • Reese’s Pieces for extra color optional

Instructions
 

Make the Chocolate Cake:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
    Dry ingredients to make chocolate cake.
  • In another bowl, beat the sugar, eggs, oil, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
    Mixing wet ingredients together to make chocolate cake.
  • Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
    Slowly mixing wet and dry ingredients to make chocolate reese's cake.
  • Stir in the hot water (the batter will be thin)
    Adding hot water to the mixture in order to make reese's cake.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting
    Reese's cake mixture poured into baking pan.

Prepare the Peanut Butter Frosting:

  • In a large bowl, beat the butter and peanut butter until creamy.
  • Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well.
  • Add the milk one tablespoon at a time until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.

Make the Chocolate Ganache:

  • Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
  • Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips in a bowl and let sit for 1–2 minutes. Stir until smooth and glossy. Let the ganache cool slightly.

Assemble the Cake:

  • Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of peanut butter frosting over the top.
  • Add the second cake layer and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
  • Place the cake in the fridge for at least 1h before pouring the ganache.
  • Pour the cooled ganache over the top, letting it drip down the sides for a dramatic effect.
  • Top the cake with mini Reese’s Cups, crushed Reese’s Pieces, or peanut butter chips for the ultimate Reese’s overload.
    Reese's cake on table.

Notes

Lactose-free alternative for heavy cream in ganache

  • Ingredients:
    • 1/3 cup oat milk
    • 3 tablespoons neutral oil (e.g., canola or vegetable oil)
  • Instructions:
    1. Heat the oat milk until it’s just about to simmer but not boiling.
    2. Stir in the oil to mimic the fat content of heavy cream.
    3. Pour the hot oat milk-oil mixture over chopped chocolate (use the same ratio of chocolate to liquid as your recipe calls for).
    4. Let it sit for a minute to melt the chocolate, then stir until smooth and glossy.

💜Tips

  1. Choose High-Quality Chocolate: Since the fat content is slightly lower than heavy cream, high-quality chocolate ensures a creamy texture.
  2. Start with Less Liquid: If the ganache seems too thin, reduce the amount of oat milk slightly and adjust as needed.
  3. Refrigeration for Stability: If you need the ganache to be thicker (e.g., for piping or spreading), chill it for 15–30 minutes until it firms up.
    💜Use as a 1:1 replacement.

Storage Tips

If you plan to enjoy it within 2–3 days, you can leave it at room temperature, but for longer storage, pop it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Keyword Comfort Food, dessert from scratch, easy dessert idea, easy recipe

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I’m Cath!

Foodie at heart

Welcome to my corner of the internet where I share my favorite food recipe. Food lover at heart I love cooking and food photography hence the combination of both creating this fun blog!
I hope you enjoy, bon appétit!

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