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Are you ready for an amazing dessert that is easy enough to make every night but fancy enough to serve when you have guests? Today we are making this Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cake Slice on a plate
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This made from scratch chocolate cake is the perfect special occasion cake. It is perfect for a birthday celebrations or for an evening dessert. I love super easy cake recipes and this is one of them.

Make sure to check out all of my favorite cake recipes!

Why We Love This Recipe

Chocolate and peanut butter is the perfect dessert combination. The depth of the chocolate flavor will have all your chocolate and peanut butter lovers coming back for more.

If you are a baker, you probably already have the majority of these pantry ingredients. The next time you need an impressive cake, this is the cake to make.

Ingredients

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cake - flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, eggs, buttermilk, oil, vanilla, boiling water, butter, peanut butter, milk, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, heavy cream, peanut butter cups

For the Cake

  • All Purpose Flour 
  • Granulated Sugar 
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder 
  • Baking Powder 
  • Baking Soda 
  • Salt 
  • Eggs 
  • Buttermilk 
  • Vegetable Oil 
  • Vanilla Extract 
  • Boiling Water 

For the Frosting 

  • Unsalted Butter (softened) 
  • Creamy Peanut Butter 
  • Milk 
  • Powdered Sugar 

For the Ganache

  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips 
  • Heavy Cream 
  • Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups 

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

  • White Chocolate GlazeYou can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips if you prefer to make a chocolate frosting glaze. Also, any frosting would work great. Butter Cream Frosting, Cream Cheese Frosting or even Peanut Butter buttercream Frosting would taste delicious on this cake.
  • Cake Mix – We love making cakes from scratch, but you can use a chocolate cake mix if you prefer.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

  • Step 1 – Prepare Oven – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray 2 8 inch round cake pans with a non-stick cooking spray. 
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl with a whisk

Step 2 – Combine Dry Ingredients – In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  

Combine wet ingredients in a bowl

Step 3 – Add Wet Ingredients – Mix in the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract.  Beat with a hand held mixer until the batter is smooth and combined (2-3 minutes). Then stir in the boiling water until combined.

Pour batter in round cake pans

Step 4 – Pour Cake Batter – Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.  Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.

Baked round cake pans on a cooling rack

Step 5 – Cool Cakes – Allow the cakes to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes and then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. 

How to Make Frosting

Blending butter and peanut butter in a mixer

Step 1 – Combine Butter and Peanut Butter – In a medium bowl, cream together butter and peanut butter until smooth and fluffy with a hand held or stand up mixer.

Add in powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture

Step 2 – Add Powdered Sugar Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk, beating after each additional until desired consistency

To Assemble the Cake

Slicing cakes on a cooling rack

Step 1 – Cut Cake – Once the cakes are completely cooled.  Use a serrated knife to cut each cake in half horizontally to form 4 cakes.  

Spreading peanut butter frosting on cakes

Step 2 – Frost Cake – Place one of the cakes on a serving plate or cake stand.  Add about ½ cup of frosting on top and continue this process with the remaining 3 cakes.

Frosted cake

Step 3 – Add Thin Layer – Place a thin layer of frosting around the top and outside of the cake for the crumb layer and freeze for 10 minutes.  

Frosting cake with bowl of peanut butter cups, chocolate chips and milk

Step 4 – Add another layer – Once the crumb coat is set. Add another layer of frosting to the sides and top of the cakes. Reserve some of the frosting for the cake decorations. 

For the Ganache Topping

  • Step 1 – Place Ingredients – Place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a heat proof bowl. 
  • Step 2 – Heat Mixture – Heat in 20 second intervals in the microwave. Stirring after each interval, until the chocolate chips are fully melted and combined. 
  • Step 3 – Pour Over Cake – Then slowly pour the chocolate ganache over the cake and use a spatula to gently spread it out to make sure that it covers the top of the cake and drizzles down the sides of the cake. 
Chocolate Ganache over the top of the cake
  • Step 4 – Rest Cake – Let the cake sit for 10-15 minutes for the topping to set. 
  • Step 5 – Add Toppings – Place the remaining peanut butter frosting in a piping bag fitting with a large star tip and pipe the frosting around the outside edge of the cake.  Decorate with the mini peanut butter cups.  
  • Step 6 – Serve – Then the layer cake is ready to slice, serve and enjoy! 

Recipe Tips

  • Combine Ingredients – Combine the cake batter ingredients with a electric mixer or a stand mixer. Make sure to not overmix the batter as this could change the texture of the cake.
  • Cool Cake – Allow cakes to cool on a cooling rack before frosting. We like to make the cakes ahead of time so they are completely cooled.
  • Frosting the Cake – We recommend following the frosting cake steps as they are written. This ensures that the creamy peanut butter frosting stays on the cake.
  • Topping the Cake – We love the additional chocolate ganache that we frost the cake with. Piping the peanut butter frosting adds flavor and make is look so complete.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cake on a cake stand

Serving Suggestions

This cake layers is rich and decadent and even better served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This dark chocolate cake when cut shows the beautiful layers for a crowd pleasing cake.

It is perfect served for the holidays or to make someone feel special. We love to serve with hot coffee to balance out the flavors.

Slice of chocolate and peanut butter cake on a plate

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Leftovers

I kept mine in the fridge since it was a little warm in our house, but I don’t think it is necessary. This cake can be stored at room temperature in an air tight container for 3-4 days or covered with plastic wrap. Our family loved it and I loved that I didn’t have to do much work to have a fun dessert on the table that the entire family love!

More Easy Cake Recipes to Try

We love to hear from you. If you make this peanut butter chocolate cake recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

5 from 2 votes
You are going to love this chocolate peanut butter cake. A tasty homemade cake layered with homemade peanut butter frosting.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 1024

Ingredients

For the Cake: 

For the Frosting: 

  • 1 cup Unsalted Butter  (softened) 
  • 2 cups creamy peanut butter
  • 3-4 Tablespoons milk
  • 6 cups Powdered Sugar

For the Ganache: 

  • 4 ounces Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips 
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
  • Mini Peanut Butter Cups

Instructions

For the Cake: 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray 2 8 inch round cake pans with a non-stick cooking spray. 
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  
  • Mix in the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil and vanilla extract.  Beat with a hand held mixer until the batter is smooth and combined (2-3 minutes).  
  • Then stir in the boiling water until combined. 
  • Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.  Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.  
  • Allow the cakes to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes and then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. 

For the Frosting: 

  • In a medium bowl, cream together butter and peanut butter until smooth and fluffy with a hand held or stand up mixer. 
  • Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk, beating after each additional until desired consistency

To Assemble the Cake: 

  • Once the cakes are completely cooled.  Use a serrated knife to cut each cake in half horizontally to form 4 cakes.  
  • Place one of the cakes on a serving plate or cake stand.  Add about ½ cup of frosting on top and continue this process with the remaining 3 cakes.
  • Place a thin layer of frosting around the top and outside of the cake for the crumb layer and freeze for 10 minutes.  
  • Once the crumb coat is set. Add another layer of frosting to the sides and top of the cakes. Reserve some of the frosting for the cake decorations. 

For the Ganache Topping: 

  • Place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a heat proof bowl. 
  • Heat in 20 second intervals in the microwave, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate chips are fully melted and combined. 
  • Then slowly pour the chocolate ganache over the cake and use a spatula to gently spread it out to make sure that it covers the top of the cake and drizzles down the sides of the cake. 
  • Let the cake sit for 10-15 minutes for the topping to set. 
  • Place the remaining peanut butter frosting in a piping bag fitting with a large star tip and pipe the frosting around the outside edge of the cake.  Decorate with the mini peanut butter cups.  
  • Then the cake is ready to slice, serve and enjoy!  

Recipe Notes

For the best results, make sure that all ingredients are at room temperature before making this cake recipe.  
Refrigerate the leftover cake in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.  

Nutrition Facts

Calories 1024kcal, Carbohydrates 126g, Protein 15g, Fat 56g, Saturated Fat 22g, Polyunsaturated Fat 9g, Monounsaturated Fat 21g, Trans Fat 2g, Cholesterol 82mg, Sodium 639mg, Potassium 457mg, Fiber 5g, Sugar 102g, Vitamin A 702IU, Vitamin C 0.1mg, Calcium 101mg, Iron 3mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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