This Better Than Anything Peanut Butter Cake is exactly what it sounds like – pure peanut butter heaven that’s easier than you think. I’ve made this cake for countless birthday parties and potlucks, and it disappears faster than I can cut it. The secret is poking holes in a simple yellow cake and flooding it with a creamy peanut butter mixture that soaks into every bite.
Table of contents
Better Than Anything Peanut Butter Cake
A simple poke cake loaded with peanut butter flavor and topped with peanut butter chips and cups.
Ingredients
- 1 (16.50-ounce) box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter, softened
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 6 ounces caramel sundae topping
- 1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping, thawed
- ½ cup peanut butter chips
- ¾ cup mini peanut butter cups, halved
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch pan with foil, then spray with cooking spray.
- Make cake according to package directions and bake as directed, about 23-28 minutes.
- While cake bakes, soften peanut butter in microwave for 15-30 seconds in a large bowl.
- Whisk sweetened condensed milk and caramel topping into the peanut butter until smooth.
- Remove finished cake from oven and poke holes all over surface with wooden spoon handle.
- Slowly pour peanut butter mixture over holes, distributing evenly.
- Refrigerate cake for 10 minutes, then spread whipped topping over surface.
- Sprinkle with peanut butter chips and halved peanut butter cups.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- Use any brand of yellow cake mix - they all work great.
- Make sure peanut butter is softened for easy mixing.
- Don't skip the chilling time - it helps everything set properly.
- Store covered in refrigerator up to 5 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 419Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 344mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 1gSugar: 23gProtein: 6g
Nutrition info is an estimate based on typical ingredients and portions - I calculate these to give you a helpful starting point! For specific dietary needs or accurate counts, I recommend double-checking with your favorite nutrition app or talking to a health professional. You can read more about my approach to nutrition info at notetherecipe.com/disclaimer
What You’ll Need
This cake comes together with mostly pantry staples and a few special touches:
- 1 (16.50-ounce) box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter, softened
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 6 ounces caramel sundae topping
- 1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping, thawed
- ½ cup peanut butter chips
- ¾ cup mini peanut butter cups, halved
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Wooden spoon for poking holes
Detailed Cooking Instructions
Time needed: 40 minutes
Easy poke cake with peanut butter filling and toppings.
- Prep and bake cake
Preheat oven to 350°F, line 9×13 pan with foil and spray. Make cake per package directions and bake 23-28 minutes.
- Make peanut butter mixture
Soften peanut butter in microwave 15-30 seconds. Whisk in sweetened condensed milk and caramel until smooth.
- Poke and fill cake
Remove cake from oven and poke holes all over with wooden spoon handle. Pour peanut butter mixture slowly over holes.
- Add toppings and chill
Chill 10 minutes, spread whipped topping, add peanut butter chips and cups. Refrigerate 2+ hours before serving.
Tips & Tricks
- Don’t skip softening the peanut butter – cold peanut butter won’t mix smoothly with the condensed milk.
- Space your holes about an inch apart and make them deep enough to reach the bottom of the cake.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture slowly so it has time to soak into each hole instead of running off the top.
- Let the cake chill overnight if possible – the flavors get even better and it’s easier to cut clean slices.
- Use kitchen shears to cut the mini peanut butter cups in half – much easier than a knife.
You Might Also Like
If you’re loving this easy peanut butter cake, I’ve got some other crowd-pleasers you’ll want to try! My Best Easy Banana Bread Recipe is another family favorite that uses simple ingredients – perfect when you need something sweet but not quite as indulgent as this cake. And those Greek Yogurt Protein Muffins are what I make when I want to feel a little better about dessert for breakfast (don’t judge me!).
For hot New Orleans summers, nothing beats my Ultimate 5-Layer No-Bake Summer Berry Icebox Cake – it’s just as impressive as this peanut butter cake but keeps the kitchen cool!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! You can use any yellow cake recipe you love, just bake it in a 9×13 pan. The poke method works the same way.
It keeps covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Trust me, it rarely lasts that long in my house!
I don’t recommend freezing this cake because the whipped topping and peanut butter mixture don’t freeze well. It’s best enjoyed fresh from the fridge.
Variations & Add-Ins
- Make it chocolate peanut butter by using chocolate cake mix instead of yellow.
- Add a layer of hot fudge between the peanut butter mixture and whipped topping for extra decadence.
- Swap the caramel for chocolate sauce if you prefer a deeper chocolate flavor.
- Use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy for extra texture in every bite.
- Top with chopped roasted peanuts along with the peanut butter cups for more crunch.
Dietary Notes
| Diet | Friendly? | Adjustments |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | No | Use gluten-free yellow cake mix |
| Dairy-Free | No | Use dairy-free whipped topping and check cake mix ingredients |
| Vegan | No | Requires vegan cake mix, plant-based condensed milk, and dairy-free toppings |
| Keto | No | Too high in carbs and sugar for keto diet |
| Nut-Free | No | Contains peanut butter – not suitable for nut allergies |
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Fridge: Keep covered for up to 5 days – it actually gets better after the first day as flavors meld.
- Freezer: I don’t recommend freezing this cake as the whipped topping and texture suffer when thawed.
- Serving: Serve chilled straight from the refrigerator for best texture and flavor.
- Make-ahead: Perfect for making the day before parties – just add the final toppings before serving.
- Transport: Keep chilled until ready to serve if bringing to potlucks or gatherings.
Save This Recipe for Later
This Better Than Anything Peanut Butter Cake is definitely one to keep in your back pocket for special occasions and everyday treats. Save it to your Pinterest board or share it with someone who loves peanut butter as much as you do!
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