Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Roll Cake

A Cake Roll That’s Pure Chocolate-Peanut Butter Perfection

When you think of indulgent treats, what flavors come to mind? For many of us, it’s the magical combination of chocolate and peanut butter. This Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Roll Cake brings these two flavors together in an irresistible dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat! Imagine a light, moist chocolate sponge cake rolled up with a rich, creamy peanut butter filling, then topped with melted chocolate and crushed Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for that perfect balance of flavors and textures.

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Whether you’re hosting a party, celebrating a birthday, or just craving something sweet, this cake is sure to be a hit. Let’s dive into the details of this show-stopping treat so you can make it a new favorite in your dessert repertoire!

Why You’ll Love This Roll Cake

This cake combines everything we love about Reese’s with a soft chocolate sponge that’s not only light and airy but easy to roll without cracking. Unlike traditional cakes, this roll cake is ideal for those times when you want something impressive without needing hours of decoration time. Here are some reasons why this Reese’s-inspired roll cake will steal the spotlight:

• Effortlessly Impressive: Rolling a cake may seem intimidating, but it’s surprisingly easy and always creates a stunning visual impact.
• Creamy Peanut Butter Filling: With its rich, smooth texture, the filling balances perfectly with the chocolate cake.
• Reese’s Topping: The crushed Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top give this cake a delicious crunch and add that unmistakable peanut butter flavor.
• Versatile and Freezable: This roll cake keeps well in the fridge and can even be frozen, making it a great option for preparing ahead of time.

Ready to make this dreamy dessert? Here’s everything you’ll need and the step-by-step process to create it!

Ingredients for Success 🛒

For the Chocolate Roll:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder (use high-quality for best flavor)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs (room temperature for easier mixing)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup milk

For the Peanut Butter Filling:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (preferably not natural, to keep it smooth)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature

For the Topping:

• 1/2 cup crushed Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (crush coarsely for texture)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted (for an easy drizzle)

Step-by-Step Directions 🥄

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep the Pan

Before you start mixing, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 10×15-inch jelly roll pan. Line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal once baked, and grease the parchment as well for extra security.

Step 2: Prepare the Chocolate Cake Batter

1. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This step prevents clumping and ensures a smooth batter.
2. Beat the Eggs and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the eggs and granulated sugar on high speed. Continue beating until the mixture is thick, pale, and doubles in volume (about 3-5 minutes). This step is crucial for a light, airy cake.
3. Add Vanilla and Milk: Gently fold in the vanilla extract and milk until combined, careful not to deflate the egg mixture.
4. Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold in the flour mixture with a spatula, using gentle strokes to avoid overmixing. The batter should be smooth and airy.

Step 3: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared jelly roll pan, spreading it evenly to reach the edges. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly pressed.

Step 4: Roll the Cake While Warm

This part might seem tricky, but here’s a foolproof method:

1. Once the cake is baked, quickly but gently turn it out onto a clean kitchen towel dusted with powdered sugar. This prevents sticking and keeps the cake moist.
2. Roll the Cake: Starting from a short end, roll the cake up with the towel inside. Letting it cool in this shape helps it “remember” the roll, making it easier to fill later without cracking.

Step 5: Make the Peanut Butter Filling

While your cake cools, whip up the peanut butter filling. In a mixing bowl, beat together the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and softened butter until smooth and fluffy. Adjust the sweetness if needed by adding more powdered sugar to taste. This filling should be thick but spreadable.

Step 6: Fill and Roll the Cake

Once the cake is completely cool, carefully unroll it. Spread the peanut butter filling evenly across the entire surface, leaving a small border at the edges to prevent overflow when re-rolling. Then, gently roll the cake back up, this time without the towel, creating a neat spiral with the filling inside.

Step 7: Top with Chocolate and Reese’s

For that final touch, drizzle melted chocolate over the roll. Then, sprinkle crushed Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top, pressing them gently so they stick to the chocolate.

Tips for a Perfect Cake Roll

• Room Temperature Eggs: They help achieve maximum volume when beaten with sugar, resulting in a lighter cake.
• Rolling When Warm: Rolling the cake while warm helps prevent cracks and keeps the texture soft.
• Sifted Ingredients: Always sift cocoa powder and flour to prevent lumps in the batter.

Serving & Storing Your Cake

• Serving Suggestions: For the cleanest slices, refrigerate the cake for about 20-30 minutes before serving. This firms up the peanut butter filling and makes slicing easier.
• Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The cake can also be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and frozen for up to a month. To serve from frozen, let it thaw in the fridge overnight.

A Few Flavor Twists to Try

• Nutty Twist: Add chopped peanuts or peanut butter chips into the filling for added texture and flavor.
• Dark Chocolate Drizzle: Use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate for a less sweet, more intense chocolate taste.
• Mini Reese’s Inside: For even more Reese’s goodness, sprinkle chopped mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups over the filling before rolling the cake back up.

Why This Cake Roll Will Steal the Show at Any Gathering 🎉

The Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Roll Cake offers that perfect mix of flavors and textures that make every bite a treat. The fluffy chocolate sponge balances out the rich, creamy peanut butter filling, while the crushed Reese’s topping adds crunch and visual appeal. Plus, with its elegant rolled appearance, it looks like it took hours to make, even though it’s relatively simple to assemble.

Whether you’re making this for a holiday spread, a birthday celebration, or just because, it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. And with these step-by-step instructions, you’re well on your way to creating a dessert masterpiece that everyone will love.

So why wait? Gather up your ingredients and treat yourself (and those lucky enough to share) to this decadent, peanut-buttery delight that’s bound to be unforgettable!