Are you a peanut butter and chocolate fanatic? Then prepare yourself for a flavor explosion! This Reese's Peanut Butter Cake recipe is the ultimate indulgence, combining the rich taste of chocolate cake with the creamy goodness of peanut butter. It's surprisingly easy to make, perfect for a quick weeknight dessert or a special occasion gathering. This recipe offers a delightful homemade touch, far surpassing any store-bought option. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this delicious and easy recipe!
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
For the Peanut Butter Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Ganache (Optional):
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
Instructions:
Making the Cake:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
- Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Combine: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Boiling Water: Slowly pour in the boiling water while mixing on low speed. The batter will be thin.
- Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Peanut Butter Frosting:
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until combined.
- Add Peanut Butter and Milk: Add the peanut butter and milk, beating until smooth and creamy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Assembling the Cake:
- Level Cakes (Optional): If your cake layers are uneven, use a serrated knife to level them.
- Frost: Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one layer with a generous amount of peanut butter frosting. Top with the second cake layer.
- Frost the Entire Cake: Frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
- Chocolate Ganache (Optional): Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and let it sit for a few minutes. Whisk until smooth and glossy. Pour the ganache over the frosted cake, letting it drizzle down the sides for an extra decadent touch.
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer chocolate flavor: Use dark cocoa powder.
- Add chocolate chips: Fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips to the cake batter for extra chocolatey goodness.
- Use different nuts: Substitute the peanut butter with almond butter or cashew butter for a unique twist.
- Make it a cupcake: Bake the batter in cupcake liners for individual servings.
- Add peanut butter chips: Sprinkle peanut butter chips on top of the frosting for added texture and flavor.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 450-500 (This will vary depending on the specific ingredients used and serving size). This recipe is best enjoyed as an occasional treat.
This Reese's Peanut Butter Cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Its delicious combination of chocolate and peanut butter makes it a perfect dessert for any occasion. Enjoy!