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