Peanut Butter Earthquake Cake

Preparation

1️⃣ Prepare the Cake Batter

1. Combine the chocolate cake mix with the eggs, vegetable oil, and water or milk. Mix until the batter becomes completely smooth with no dry pockets. If using the homemade mix, whisk together the dry ingredients first, then add the wet ingredients and mix in the same manner.
2. Once the batter is smooth, pour it into a greased 23×33 cm (9×13-inch) rectangular baking pan. Spread it evenly across the bottom, allowing the surface to level naturally.

2️⃣ Prepare the Cream Layer

1. Beat the cream cheese with a mixer until soft and creamy, making sure no lumps remain.
2. Add the melted butter and continue mixing until well combined, creating a silky texture.
3. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing slowly at first to avoid splattering, then increasing speed until the mixture thickens into a pourable but dense cream.
4. Spoon the cream mixture over the cake batter in uneven dollops; do not spread it flat. The uneven layers help create the signature earthquake effect as the cake bakes.

3️⃣ Peanut Butter Swirls

1. Warm the peanut butter for 10–15 seconds in the microwave so it becomes more fluid and easy to drizzle.
2. Using a spoon, drizzle thin ribbons of the warm peanut butter across the batter and cream layer.
3. Drag a toothpick or knife gently across the surface to swirl the peanut butter into the cream layer, forming flowing, cracked patterns.
   

   4️⃣ Add Chocolate