Description
Chocolate peanut butter celebration cake promises pure indulgence with layers of rich, velvety chocolate and creamy peanut butter. Dessert enthusiasts will savor each decadent bite of this irresistible sweet masterpiece that delivers pure bliss in every delightful slice.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Base Ingredients:
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk (low or full-fat)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee powder (optional)
- 1 cup boiling water
Frosting Ingredients:
- 250 grams (8.8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (500 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter (spread-style)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon milk
Topping Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or melts
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter (melted for drizzle)
- 120 grams mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (whole and halved)
- 1/4 cup salted peanuts, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare workspace by heating oven to 350°F and lining a 9×13″ metal pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sift dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda) into a large mixing bowl, then incorporate sugar and salt, creating a uniform dry mixture.
- Introduce wet ingredients (eggs, milk, oil, vanilla) to dry mixture, whisking thoroughly until achieving a smooth, consistent batter.
- Dissolve coffee powder in boiling water, then blend into batter, creating a thin, liquid-like consistency.
- Transfer batter into prepared pan, distributing evenly, and bake for 45 minutes until a skewer emerges clean when inserted.
- Allow cake to cool completely at room temperature for approximately 2 hours, ensuring no residual warmth remains.
- Prepare frosting by whipping butter until light and airy, gradually incorporating powdered sugar in three separate additions.
- Enhance frosting with peanut butter, salt, and milk, beating for an additional 3 minutes until achieving a silky, spreadable texture.
- Generously spread frosting across the entirely cooled cake surface, creating an even layer.
- Melt chocolate chips with cream using microwave in short 15-second intervals, allowing mixture to cool for 10 minutes.
- Drizzle melted chocolate and peanut butter artfully across frosted cake surface.
- Garnish with chopped peanut butter cups and scattered peanuts for textural contrast.
- Serve at room temperature, storing any remaining cake in refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Enhance moisture by using room temperature ingredients, which blend more smoothly and create a more tender cake texture.
- Make gluten-free by substituting regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, ensuring equal measurements and adding xanthan gum for better structure.
- Reduce sugar content by replacing half the sugar with monk fruit sweetener or using unsweetened applesauce, maintaining the cake’s rich flavor while cutting calories.
- Transform into dairy-free version by swapping milk with almond milk and using dairy-free butter alternatives, without compromising the decadent chocolate and peanut butter profile.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg