Description
Indulgent homemade chocolate peanut butter cake melds rich cocoa with creamy peanut butter in a luxurious dessert experience. Chocolate lovers will savor each decadent bite of this irresistible, classic American treat that promises pure comfort and satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Cake):
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup boiling water
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
Supporting Ingredients (Cake):
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Frosting and Topping Ingredients:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup
- Mini peanut butter cups
- Chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F and coating two 9-inch round cake pans with a light grease layer.
- Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, thoroughly whisking flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda until well integrated.
- Incorporate wet ingredients into the dry mixture, adding eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Blend until the batter becomes uniformly smooth.
- Carefully pour boiling water into the batter, stirring gently to create a fluid, consistent texture.
- Distribute the cake mixture evenly between the prepared pans, ensuring smooth surfaces.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick that comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to cool completely on a wire rack, reducing temperature to room level.
- Prepare the peanut butter frosting by creaming together peanut butter, softened butter, and powdered sugar in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add heavy cream to the frosting mixture, whipping until achieving a silky, spreadable consistency.
- Once cakes have cooled, carefully frost the layers, creating an even coating between and on top of the cake.
- Enhance the presentation by sprinkling chocolate chips or drizzling melted chocolate over the frosted cake for a decorative finish.
Notes
- Enhance cake’s moisture by adding a tablespoon of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter for extra tenderness.
- Opt for natural unsweetened peanut butter in the frosting to control sweetness and avoid artificial additives.
- Prevent dry cake edges by wrapping damp cake strips around the pan during baking, ensuring even heat distribution and uniform rise.
- Elevate the gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the cake’s rich texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 457 kcal
- Sugar: 39 g
- Sodium: 192 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg