Dreamy Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe

My latest obsession involves a decadent peanut butter cake that promises pure indulgence.

Sweet memories of childhood blend perfectly with creamy, rich flavors.

Crunchy and smooth textures promise an unforgettable dessert experience.

Every slice feels like a warm culinary hug that melts in your mouth.

Comfort comes through each carefully crafted layer of this delightful treat.

Baking enthusiasts and dessert lovers will adore this simple yet spectacular creation.

You cannot resist the temptation of this irresistible peanut butter masterpiece.

Peanut Butter Cake & Frosting FAQs

• What makes the batter unique?

The batter combines peanut butter directly into the cake mix, creating a rich, nutty flavor profile that sets it apart from traditional vanilla or chocolate cakes.

• Can I use different types of peanut butter?

Creamy peanut butter works best, but you can use natural or crunchy varieties. Just ensure they’re at room temperature for smooth mixing.

• How do I know if the cake is done baking?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is fully baked. The edges should also be slightly pulling away from the pan sides.

• Is this cake good for people who love peanut butter?

Absolutely! With peanut butter in both the cake and frosting, this dessert is a dream come true for peanut butter enthusiasts, delivering an intense, creamy peanut flavor in every bite.

Why Peanut Butter Cake with Frosting Feels Special

• Perfect for novice bakers, this recipe requires basic mixing skills and standard kitchen tools, making it simple to create a showstopping dessert without professional pastry training.
• Packed with rich peanut butter flavor in both cake and frosting, this dessert appeals to all ages, satisfying sweet tooths and delivering nostalgic, homemade goodness that brings people together.
• Whether you're making a layered celebration cake or a single-pan version, this recipe adapts to different occasions- from casual family dinners to birthday parties, offering versatile presentation options.
• With just 35 minutes of baking time and straightforward instructions, this cake delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, allowing home bakers to create a delicious treat without spending hours in the kitchen.

What You’ll Need for Peanut Butter Cake with Frosting

• Sugar: The sweet heart of the cake, provides overall sweetness and helps with cake texture.
• Butter: Adds richness and creates a smooth, tender cake crumb.
• Peanut Butter: Provides deep nutty flavor and moist texture to the cake.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure to the cake.

• Self-Rising Flour: Ensures light and fluffy cake texture with built-in leavening.
• Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and provides additional lift.

• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a tender, soft cake crumb.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting base.
• Cream Cheese: Adds creamy richness and tangy flavor to frosting.
• Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency for spreadability.

• Roasted Peanuts: Adds crunch and enhances peanut flavor.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: Optional topping for extra texture and flavor contrast.

How to Make Peanut Butter Cake and Frost It Too

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch round cake pans or a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Create the Cake Base

• Sugar
• Softened butter
• Peanut butter

Beat with an electric mixer until silky smooth.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Mix

Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Step 4: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• Self-rising flour
• Baking soda

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually mix dry ingredients and buttermilk into the peanut butter mixture. Start and end with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake for 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool the Cake

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks and cool completely.

Step 8: Whip Up the Frosting

• Powdered sugar
• Peanut butter
• Softened cream cheese
• Milk

Beat until creamy. Add milk gradually if needed to reach desired consistency.

Step 9: Assemble and Decorate

Layer cake with frosting between each level. Cover entire cake with remaining frosting.

Optional: Sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts or mini chocolate chips on top for extra crunch.

Tips for Baking and Frosting with Peanut Butter

• Prevent Dry Cake: Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake moist and tender, stirring just until ingredients are combined.
• Achieve Perfect Consistency: Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and butter to ensure smooth blending and even cake texture.
• Master Frosting Technique: Chill the cake layers before frosting to minimize crumbs and create a cleaner, more professional look.
• Customize Flavor Variations: Swap regular peanut butter with natural or crunchy versions for different taste profiles and added texture.
• Storage Hack: Wrap unfrosted cake layers in plastic wrap and freeze up to 2 weeks for make-ahead convenience and fresher results.

How to Save and Enjoy Peanut Butter Cake Later

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Let the cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to soften the frosting and enhance flavors.
• Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Place wax paper between cake slices when storing to prevent sticking and maintain frosting integrity.

Delicious Pairings for Peanut Butter Cake

• Creamy chocolate milk complements the rich peanut butter cake, balancing its intense nutty flavor and adding a smooth, sweet contrast.
• A full-bodied port or sweet red wine cuts through the cake's richness, creating a luxurious dessert experience with complementary flavor notes.
• Strong cold brew coffee provides a robust counterpoint to the cake's sweetness, highlighting the deep peanut butter undertones and refreshing the palate.
• A small side of salted caramel sauce amplifies the cake's nutty profile, adding depth and an extra layer of indulgent complexity to each bite.

Peanut Butter Cake Variations That Stand Out

• Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cake: Replace self-rising flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Vegan Peanut Butter Cake: Substitute eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs, use vegan butter, dairy-free cream cheese, and plant-based milk to create a completely plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of regular sugar, and opt for natural peanut butter with no added sugars to reduce overall sweetness and calorie content.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the cake batter and incorporate dark chocolate chips into the frosting for a rich chocolate-peanut butter flavor combination.

Peanut Butter Cake With Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent peanut butter cake delights dessert enthusiasts with its rich, creamy layers of pure comfort. Smooth frosting and moist crumb promise a delectable experience that will transport souls to sweet, nutty paradise.

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Ingredients

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Main Cake Ingredients:

• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs

Dry Cake Ingredients:

• 2 ⅔ cups self-rising flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda

Frosting Ingredients:

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons milk

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Instructions

1. Craft the foundation of the dessert by thoroughly mixing sugar, softened butter, and peanut butter until achieving a silky, uniform texture using an electric mixer.
2. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete integration after each addition to create a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
3. Separately prepare dry ingredients by whisking self-rising flour and baking soda together.
4. Gradually blend dry ingredients and buttermilk into the peanut butter base, alternating between the two and concluding with dry ingredients to maintain optimal consistency.
5. Prepare baking vessel by greasing and flouring three 8-inch round pans or a 9×13-inch dish, then evenly distribute the batter.
6. Position in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven and bake approximately 35 minutes, confirming doneness with a clean toothpick test.
7. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks for complete cooling.
8. Whip frosting by combining powdered sugar, peanut butter, cream cheese, and milk, beating until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
9. Adjust frosting thickness by adding milk incrementally if needed.
10. Assemble cake by layering each round with frosting, then completely enrobe exterior surfaces.
11. Enhance presentation by garnishing with chopped roasted peanuts or mini chocolate chips on top.

Notes

• Measure ingredients precisely for consistent cake texture and avoid dense or dry results.
• Use room temperature eggs and buttermilk to ensure smooth batter integration and even baking.
• Allow cake layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
• Opt for natural peanut butter without added sugar for a more authentic, less sweet flavor profile.
• Swap self-rising flour with all-purpose flour plus baking powder and salt for dietary flexibility.
• Create gluten-free version by using gluten-free flour blend and checking baking powder’s gluten status.
• Reduce sugar content by using alternative sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit for low-carb diets.
• Store cake in refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving for optimal taste and texture.
• Freeze unfrosted cake layers wrapped tightly for up to one month to extend dessert preparation convenience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 576
• Sugar: 57 g
• Sodium: 490 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 64 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg