If you're a fan of the irresistible combination of chocolate and peanut butter, this Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake is the dessert you've been dreaming of! Imagine layers of rich, moist chocolate cake filled and frosted with creamy peanut butter frosting, all topped off with a decadent chocolate ganache. Whether it's for a birthday, a special occasion, or just because you're craving something sweet, this cake is sure to be a hit. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions on how to create this indulgent masterpiece at home!
What is a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake?
A Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake is a decadent dessert that combines two beloved flavors: rich, moist chocolate cake layers and creamy, slightly salty peanut butter frosting. The cake is often finished with a silky chocolate ganache, adding an extra layer of indulgence. This cake is perfect for anyone who loves the sweet and salty combo of chocolate and peanut butter, and it’s sure to become a favorite for any occasion.
Ingredients List for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
Before you begin baking, gather all of the ingredients you’ll need for the cake, frosting, and ganache:
For the Chocolate Cake:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water (or hot coffee for enhanced chocolate flavor)
For the Peanut Butter Frosting:
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup heavy cream (or milk), plus more as needed for consistency
- Pinch of salt (optional, to taste)
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (optional, for extra shine)
Substitutions and Variations
This cake is already a decadent delight, but you can customize it to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas:
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Dairy-Free Version: Use plant-based milk (like almond or oat milk) in the cake batter and frosting. For the ganache, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- Peanut Butter Alternatives: If you have a peanut allergy, you can substitute the peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter.
- Chocolate Chips: Swap out the semi-sweet chocolate chips in the ganache for dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips, depending on your preference.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Follow these step-by-step instructions to make this decadent Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake:
Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Cake Layers
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy release.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat the sugar, eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the boiling water (or hot coffee) carefully. The batter will be thin, but that’s okay—this ensures a moist cake.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and peanut butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating on low speed until combined.
- Add the vanilla extract and heavy cream (or milk), then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- If the frosting is too thick, add a little more cream or milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness if needed.
Step 3: Make the Chocolate Ganache
- Place the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl.
- In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer (do not let it boil).
- Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let it sit for 2 minutes to soften the chocolate.
- Stir the mixture until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. If desired, add 1 tablespoon of butter for extra shine and richness.
- Let the ganache cool slightly until it thickens enough to drizzle, but is still pourable.
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
- Once the cake layers are completely cooled, level the tops with a serrated knife if necessary to create an even surface.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a thick layer of peanut butter frosting over the top of the cake.
- Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining peanut butter frosting.
- Pour the slightly cooled chocolate ganache over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides for a beautiful finish.
Step 5: Decorate and Serve
- Optional: Garnish the cake with chopped peanut butter cups, Reese's Pieces, or peanuts for added texture and decoration.
- Let the ganache set slightly before slicing the cake.
- Serve and enjoy!
How to Cook Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a quick summary of how to make your Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake:
- Prepare the cake layers: Mix wet and dry ingredients, bake, and cool.
- Make the frosting: Beat peanut butter and butter, then add powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream.
- Make the ganache: Melt chocolate chips with hot cream and stir until smooth.
- Assemble the cake: Layer the cake with frosting, and pour ganache over the top.
- Decorate: Add your favorite garnishes and let the ganache set before serving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes to watch out for when making your Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake:
- Not cooling the cake completely before frosting: If the cake is still warm, the frosting will melt and slide off. Make sure your cake layers are fully cooled before frosting.
- Overmixing the batter: Overmixing can lead to a dense cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined to keep the cake light and fluffy.
- Letting the ganache get too thick: Keep an eye on the ganache as it cools. If it gets too thick, you won’t be able to pour it over the cake. If that happens, warm it up gently to thin it out.
- Uneven layers: If your cake layers are uneven, use a serrated knife to level them off before assembling the cake for a more professional finish.
Serving and Presentation Tips
This cake is not only delicious but also visually stunning. Here’s how to serve and present it to make it even more impressive:
How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
- Room temperature: This cake is best served at room temperature to allow the peanut butter frosting to be soft and creamy.
- With ice cream: Serve a slice of the cake with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for a decadent dessert combo.
- Peanut Butter Cup Garnish: Top each slice with a mini peanut butter cup or crushed peanuts for an extra special touch.
Presentation Ideas for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
- Drip Cake Effect: Let the ganache drip down the sides of the cake for an elegant yet effortless “drip cake” look.
- Reese’s Pieces or Peanut Butter Cups: Scatter Reese’s Pieces or chopped peanut butter cups on top for an eye-catching decoration.
- Chocolate Shavings: Grate some chocolate over the top of the ganache for an extra touch of elegance.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Recipe Tips
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature before mixing. This ensures a smoother batter and frosting.
- Chilling the Ganache: If your ganache seems too runny, chill it briefly in the refrigerator to thicken it before pouring it over the cake.
- Storage: Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Bring it to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake the cake layers a day or two in advance. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them at room temperature until you're ready to frost them. The assembled cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
2. Can I freeze this cake?
Absolutely! You can freeze the cake layers before frosting by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Once frosted, you can also freeze the entire cake. Just make sure to thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving.
3. Can I use natural peanut butter for the frosting?
It’s best to use regular creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) for the frosting, as natural peanut butter tends to separate and can make the frosting too oily.
Conclusion
There you have it—your ultimate Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake recipe! This cake is a dream come true for chocolate and peanut butter lovers, with moist chocolate layers, creamy peanut butter frosting, and a rich chocolate ganache. It’s the perfect dessert for special occasions, birthdays, or any time you’re craving something indulgent. Give it a try and share it with your friends and family—it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
PrintHomemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Recipe
This Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake is the ultimate dessert, combining layers of moist chocolate cake with creamy peanut butter frosting. The cake is rich, indulgent, and easy to make with pantry staples. It’s perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or any occasion where you want to satisfy your chocolate and peanut butter cravings!
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Butter
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
- Peanut butter
- Powdered sugar
- Heavy cream
- Chocolate chips (optional for ganache)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare cake pans by greasing and lining with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy, then add eggs one at a time.
- Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk and vanilla extract, until combined.
- Divide the batter into pans and bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
- While cakes cool, make peanut butter frosting by whipping together peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and heavy cream.
- Frost the cooled cakes, layering peanut butter frosting between and on top.
- Optionally, drizzle with chocolate ganache for extra decadence.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, add a pinch of espresso powder to the cake batter.
- Use smooth or crunchy peanut butter based on your preference.
- Chill the cake before slicing for cleaner cuts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 300mg
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