Dreamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe for Celebrations

Crafting a delectable peanut butter chocolate layer cake sparks pure culinary excitement in my kitchen.

Sweet meets rich with every decadent slice of this mouthwatering dessert.

Chocolate and peanut butter create an irresistible marriage of flavors that dance across your palate.

Layers of moist cake promise a delightful experience for anyone seeking indulgence.

Creamy frosting and smooth ganache complement the deep nutty undertones that make this recipe special.

Home bakers can easily master this impressive dessert with a few simple techniques.

Each forkful promises a delightful journey through luxurious textures and bold taste combinations.

You’ll want to save this recipe and impress everyone at your next gathering.

Keeping Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake Moist After Baking

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap each slice separately with plastic wrap to maintain moisture.
• Carefully wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Warm refrigerated cake slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. For best texture, let the slice sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before enjoying.
• Place a paper towel in the container with the cake to absorb excess moisture and keep the cake from becoming too dry during storage.

Pairing Ideas for Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake

• Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cake Companions
• Robust espresso or dark roast coffee perfectly complements the rich chocolate and peanut butter layers, cutting through the sweetness and enhancing the cake's deep flavors.
• Cold glass of whole milk or smooth vanilla milkshake balances the intense cake, providing a cool, refreshing contrast to the decadent dessert.
• Late harvest Cabernet or sweet dessert port wine creates an elegant accompaniment, with its fruity undertones matching the cake's complex chocolate and nutty profile.
• Salted caramel or roasted almond brittle as a garnish adds delightful crunch and intensifies the peanut butter's warm, toasty notes.

Versions of Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake You Can Try

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring the same rich chocolate flavor while accommodating celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake: Substitute eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of dairy-based oil, and replace buttermilk with almond or soy milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of regular sugars, and incorporate sugar-free dark chocolate to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining delicious taste.
• Dairy-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake: Swap buttermilk with coconut milk, use dairy-free chocolate, and create a peanut butter frosting using coconut cream and peanut butter for a creamy, allergen-friendly dessert.

Answering All Your Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake Questions

• Can I substitute regular milk for buttermilk?

You can make a buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes, and it will curdle slightly, mimicking buttermilk’s tangy properties.

• Why does the recipe call for hot coffee?

Hot coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor and helps create a deeper, richer chocolate taste in the cake. If you don’t want to use coffee, you can replace it with hot water.

• How do I prevent my cake from sticking to the pan?

Always grease the cake pans thoroughly and line the bottom with parchment paper. This ensures easy removal and prevents the cake from breaking when you take it out of the pan.

• What type of cocoa powder works best for this recipe?

Use unsweetened cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor. Dutch-processed cocoa works well and will give a smoother, less bitter chocolate taste compared to natural cocoa powder.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake That Wins Hearts

• Requires basic mixing skills with straightforward steps, perfect for home bakers wanting to impress without advanced techniques.
• Total preparation and baking time around 45-50 minutes means you can create a stunning cake without spending entire evening in kitchen.
• Irresistible marriage of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family gatherings or potluck parties.
• Suitable for birthdays, anniversaries, or casual weekend treat, this layer cake transforms ordinary moments into delicious memories with minimal effort.

Ingredients Found in Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake

• All-Purpose Flour, Cocoa Powder: Essential dry ingredients for rich chocolate cake structure and deep flavor. Dutch-processed cocoa recommended for best taste.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Crucial leavening agents for soft, tender cake texture. Fresh, unexpired ingredients ensure proper rising.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall cake flavor.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create moist cake. Mix of sugars adds depth of flavor.
• Eggs: Binding agent that adds structure and richness to the cake.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps cake moist and tender. Neutral-flavored oil works best.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex flavor. Pure vanilla preferred over artificial.
• Buttermilk: Creates tender crumb and adds subtle tanginess. Can substitute with milk and vinegar.

• Hot Coffee or Water: Intensifies chocolate flavor and helps create smooth batter. Dark roast coffee recommended for deeper taste.

How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C). Carefully grease two 9-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Create Dry Cake Base

• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Step 3: Blend Wet Cake Ingredients

• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract
• Buttermilk

Step 4: Combine Cake Batter

Gradually mix dry and wet ingredients until just combined. Pour in hot coffee or water and stir until the batter becomes smooth and silky.

Step 5: Bake Chocolate Layers

Evenly divide the batter between prepared cake pans. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick- it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 6: Cool Cake Layers

Remove cakes from oven and let them cool completely in the pans. This prevents breaking and ensures perfect frosting application later.

Step 7: Frost and Assemble

Once cooled, remove cakes from pans and prepare to layer with peanut butter frosting and chocolate ganache.

Baking Hacks for Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake

• Optimize Coffee Temperature: Use hot coffee to enhance chocolate flavor and create a richer, more intense cake texture without compromising the batter's consistency.
• Balance Moisture Perfectly: Buttermilk helps create an incredibly tender crumb, ensuring the cake remains moist and soft even after cooling.
• Prevent Cake Sticking: Thoroughly grease and line cake pans with parchment paper to guarantee easy removal and maintain the cake's beautiful shape.
• Check Doneness Accurately: Insert a toothpick in the center and look for minimal crumbs- this indicates the cake is perfectly baked without being dry.
• Room Temperature Ingredients Matter: Allow eggs, buttermilk, and other wet ingredients to reach room temperature for smoother mixing and more consistent baking results.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake brings rich, creamy decadence from classic flavor combinations. Chocolate and peanut butter lovers will savor each luxurious bite of this ultimate dessert masterpiece.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk (or milk + 1 teaspoon vinegar)
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) hot coffee or hot water

Frosting and Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup (225 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (250 grams) creamy peanut butter
• 3 cups (360 grams) powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream or milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• ½ cup (85 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon butter (for extra shine)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 9-inch cake pans with grease and parchment paper lining.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisking cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until perfectly integrated.
3. In a separate vessel, blend sugars, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and buttermilk until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency.
4. Gently incorporate the liquid mixture into the dry ingredient blend, stirring methodically to prevent lumps and create a cohesive batter.
5. Pour in hot coffee or water, stirring until the batter develops a silky, rich texture with deep chocolate undertones.
6. Evenly distribute the cake batter between prepared pans, ensuring balanced volume and smooth surface.
7. Transfer pans to preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, monitoring for a clean toothpick test indicating complete doneness.
8. Remove cakes from oven and allow complete cooling on wire racks, which prevents moisture condensation and maintains structural integrity.
9. Once thoroughly cooled, the layers will be ready for frosting and assembly of the decadent peanut butter chocolate layer cake.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and even baking consistency.
• When adding hot coffee, pour slowly and mix gently to prevent scrambling eggs in the batter.
• For extra moisture, consider brushing cake layers with simple syrup before frosting.
• Opt for natural unsweetened cocoa powder to achieve a deep, rich chocolate flavor without excessive sweetness.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 42 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg