Dreamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe for Treats

Decadent layers of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter chocolate layer cake dance together in a dessert that promises pure indulgence.

chocolate lovers and peanut butter enthusiasts unite over this irresistible treat.

Each slice delivers a symphony of flavors that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

The combination strikes a perfect balance between deep cocoa notes and nutty smoothness.

Delicate cake layers promise a luxurious experience that feels both comforting and elegant.

Bakers seeking a showstopping dessert will find this recipe a delightful challenge.

Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to create a masterpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Tools That Help Bake Peanut Butter Layer Cake Right

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter, beating cake batter, and mixing frosting smoothly.
• 8-inch Cake Pans (3): Non-negotiable for creating perfect cake layers with even baking.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures cake layers release easily without sticking.
• Serrated Knife: Crucial for leveling cake layers to create a professional, even surface.
• Whisk: Perfect for combining wet ingredients and creating smooth ganache.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl: Needed for heating cream and melting chocolate.
• Spatula: Great for spreading frosting and scraping bowl contents.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cake layers to cool evenly and quickly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements guarantee baking success.

Steps for Building a Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake

• Cake Pan Preparation

Grab three 8-inch cake pans and line them with parchment paper. Lightly spray with cooking spray to ensure smooth cake removal.

• Dry Ingredient Blend

Mix all dry cake ingredients in a large mixing bowl, creating a rich chocolate foundation for your dessert.

• Wet Ingredient Fusion

Combine milk, oil, vanilla, and eggs in a separate bowl. Whisk these components until they create a smooth, silky liquid mixture.

• Batter Creation

Blend wet and dry ingredients together, stirring until everything is perfectly combined. Slowly add hot water to develop a deep, luxurious chocolate flavor.

• Baking Magic

Pour batter into prepared pans and bake until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cakes cool completely on a wire rack.

• Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting

Whip butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar to create a smooth, spreadable frosting.

• Cake Assembly

Carefully layer cakes, spreading frosting between each level. Cover the entire cake with remaining frosting for a decadent finish.

• Chocolate Drizzle

Create a glossy ganache by melting chocolate with cream. Pour over the cake, allowing it to cascade down the sides.

• Final Touches

Sprinkle crushed peanut butter cups on top for extra crunch and decoration. Chill briefly before serving at room temperature.

Peanut Butter Cake Tips That Change the Game

• Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake Tips & Variations
• Pull out eggs, milk, and butter 30-45 minutes before baking to ensure smoother mixing and more even cake texture.
• Replace cocoa powder with dark or milk chocolate for different flavor intensities, matching your personal chocolate preference.
• Fold crushed peanut brittle or extra chopped Reese's into frosting for added crunch and deeper nutty flavor.
• Substitute regular flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free blend to make the cake accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Bake cake layers up to two days in advance, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and store at room temperature to streamline party preparation.

Serving This Rich Chocolate Layer Cake

• Garnish with Candy Crunch: Sprinkle crushed Reese's pieces around the cake's base for a delightful textural contrast and extra peanut butter chocolate flavor.
• Pair with Creamy Companion: Serve alongside a cold glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to complement the rich, decadent cake layers.
• Create Elegant Slices: Use a hot, clean knife to cut perfectly smooth cake slices that showcase the beautiful chocolate and peanut butter layers.
• Elevate Dessert Presentation: Place the cake on a decorative cake stand and dust lightly with cocoa powder for a professional, bakery-style finish.

How to Store Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake for Later

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring it stays moist and fresh by covering with plastic wrap or a cake dome.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap individual cake layers or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, keeping it frozen for up to 3 months without losing its delicious flavor and texture.
• Room Temperature Sweet Spot: Remove the cake from the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before serving to allow it to reach the perfect serving temperature, bringing out the rich peanut butter and chocolate flavors.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers and frosting up to 2 days in advance, storing them separately in the refrigerator to save time and reduce day-of baking stress.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 485 kcal

Servings: 13

What You Need to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for the chocolate layers.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create soft, moist cake texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich, deep chocolate flavor and beautiful dark color.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Crucial leavening agents that help cake rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Milk: Adds richness and helps create smooth cake batter.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures super moist cake and tender crumb.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and provides structural support.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens chocolate flavor and adds aromatic complexity.
• Hot Water: Helps activate cocoa and creates lighter cake texture.

• Butter: Creates creamy, smooth base for peanut butter frosting.
• Peanut Butter: Introduces nutty, rich flavor profile.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve perfect frosting consistency.
• Reese's Candies: Adds delightful chocolate-peanut butter crunch and visual appeal.
• Heavy Cream: Enables silky smooth ganache topping.
• Chocolate Chips: Creates luscious, glossy ganache drizzle.

Velvety Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate layers of Peanut Butter Chocolate Layer Cake reveal creamy peanut butter frosting between indulgent dark chocolate sponge. Dessert enthusiasts will savor complex flavors melding smooth chocolate with nutty peanut butter in each delectable slice.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (414g) sugar
• 1 ¾ cups (228g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (85g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 ml) hot water
• 2 cups (448g) salted butter, room temperature
• 1 ¼ cups (350g) peanut butter
• 9 cups (1035g) powdered sugar
• 6–7 tbsps (90–105 ml) water or milk
• 6 Reese’s, chopped
• 6 oz (1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy whipping cream
• 8 Reese’s, cut in half
• Crumbled Reese’s

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Grease three 8-inch cake pans with non-stick spray and line bottoms with parchment. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Dry Mixture: Combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
3. Wet Ingredients: Whisk milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and eggs in a separate bowl until perfectly blended.
4. Batter Creation: Merge wet and dry mixtures, beating until silky smooth. Gently introduce hot water, mixing at low speed to maintain consistent texture.
5. Baking Process: Distribute batter evenly across prepared pans, smoothing surfaces with a spatula. Bake for 22-25 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
6. Frosting Development: Cream butter and peanut butter in a stand mixer until light and airy. Gradually fold in powdered sugar, adjusting consistency with milk or water.
7. Cake Assembly: Level cake layers using a serrated knife. Stack layers, spreading peanut butter frosting and sprinkling chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups between each.
8. Frosting Technique: Apply a thin crumb coat, refrigerate for 15 minutes, then cover with a final smooth frosting layer.
9. Ganache Creation: Heat heavy cream until barely boiling. Pour over chocolate chips, letting sit for 2-3 minutes. Whisk until glossy and smooth.
10. Final Touches: Drizzle cooled ganache over frosted cake. Garnish with halved and crumbled Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set, then serve at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Chill Before Frosting: Allow cake layers to cool completely to prevent frosting from melting and ensure a smooth, professional finish.
• Prevent Dry Cake: Do not overmix batter or overbake, as this can lead to a dry, dense texture that ruins the cake’s moisture.
• Smooth Ganache Technique: Let chocolate mixture rest briefly after adding cream to create a silky, glossy chocolate drizzle without lumps.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Use eggs, milk, and butter at room temperature for better integration and a more consistent cake batter.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 58 g
• Sodium: 367 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 63 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg