Description
A rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter layer cake, perfect for celebrations and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (85g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
- 1 cup (240ml) hot coffee (or hot water)
- ¾ cup (180ml) vegetable oil
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240g) creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (375g) powdered sugar
- ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream (add more if needed)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (90g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
- Reese’s peanut butter cups (mini or regular, halved or chopped)
- Crushed peanuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, hot coffee, vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Combine this mixture with the dry ingredients.
- Divide the batter equally among the cake pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Let them cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the peanut butter and softened butter together until creamy. Then, add the powdered sugar alternating with the cream until you achieve a smooth consistency. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- For the ganache, heat ¼ cup of cream until it simmers. Pour it over the chocolate chips and let it sit for a moment before stirring until it’s smooth.
- Assemble the cake by layering the chocolate cakes with the peanut butter frosting. Frost the outer layer of the cake as well.
- Drizzle the chocolate ganache over the top of the cake.
- Garnish with halved or chopped Reese’s cups and crushed peanuts if desired. Chill for 1 hour before serving.
Notes
Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature for best results. Do not overmix the batter, and let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: cake, peanut butter, chocolate, dessert, baking