Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Dessert is a cool and creamy layered dessert that will appeal to all ages. Four awesome layers in this easy make-ahead dessert!

Piece of Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Dessert on a plate.

Bottom Layer

Chocolate cake mix is used to make the bottom layer. With only 1 egg and some butter mixed into the cake mix, it cooks up dense and fudgy.

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Peanut Butter Layer

Next comes a creamy peanut butter/cream cheese layer with chopped mini Reese’s peanut butter cups. This layer is wonderfully sweet and salty. Use a creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Lush in baking pan with a piece removed.

Chocolate Pudding Layer

On top of the peanut butter layer is a super easy chocolate pudding layer. It is made with instant chocolate fudge pudding mix.

Top Layer

A layer of cool, and creamy whipped topping finishes off this layer dessert. I also like to add a bunch of chopped peanut butter cups on top. You can use fresh whipped cream for this layer if you prefer.

It’s a great make ahead dessert for a potluck.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Dessert - 4 delicious layers!

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Storage

This dessert will keep in the refrigerator for about 4 days.

And speaking of  luck- wish me luck. My son and I are on the way to Atlanta to do some college visits. It hasn’t really hit me that in less than a year he will be leaving the nest. Tomorrow I have a feeling it’s going to hit me hard.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Dessert

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Dessert

4 from 1 vote

By Christin Mahrlig

Prep: 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 12
Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Dessert
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Dessert is a cool and creamy layered dessert that will appeal to all ages. 

Equipment

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Ingredients

  • 1 (15.25-ounce) box Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
  • 15 miniature peanut butter cups, chopped
  • 1 (3.9-ounce) package instant chocolate fudge pudding mix
  • 2 cups cold milk
  • 1 (16-ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
  • Miniature peanut butter cups for garnish

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 13X9X2-inch baking pan.
  • In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, egg, and butter. Press into bottom of prepared pan.
  • Bake for 15 minutes and let cool completely.
  • Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and heavy cream.
  • Stir in chopped peanut butter cups. Spread on top of cake layer.
  • In a bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes. Pour on top of cream cheese layer.
  • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Spread whipped topping on top and garnish with chopped peanut butter cups.

Nutrition

Calories: 622kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 698mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 47g | Vitamin A: 628IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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32 Comments

  1. Ella-HomeCookingAdventure says:

    Mmmmm – looks soo good that I am very tempted to try it right now 🙂

    Reply
  2. Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says:

    These bars look totally incredible, Christin. I am totally swooning over all those luscious layers. Pinned!

    Reply
  3. Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says:

    This dessert looks SOOOOO delicious! I just want to dig into your pretty layers and eat it all up! Pinned!

    ps- The next time you are in Atlanta, you had better let me know….or I will be upset. And that is that.

    Reply
  4. Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong says:

    Chocolate, peanut buttet and cream cheese together is just HEAVEN.. and topped with those peanut butter cups. .. *swoon*
    love it Christin.. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Kelly says:

    Oh my goodness, your desserts always leave me drooling – these bars look amazing! Chocolate and peanut butter is such a great combo and I love all the layers in here! Aaw have fun and good luck on the college visits, Christin 🙂

    Reply
  6. Matt @ Runner Savvy says:

    Oh this looks good!

    Reply
  7. Medha @ Whisk & Shout says:

    This reminds me of one huge peanut butter cup, but ten times more delicious! So much yum 🙂

    Reply
  8. Carol at Wild Goose Tea says:

    Wow this is a dessert to get everyone’s attention!!! I have one son who often chose pudding over cake for his birthday. He would love love this. Chocolate and peanut butter is classic combo that Reese’s has sure capitalized on.

    Reply
  9. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says:

    Is it bad that I want this for breakfast?! These layer bars look fantastic, Christin! I love how easy this is to make, too. Pinned!

    Reply