If you’re searching for a dessert that’s equal parts nostalgic and irresistible, the Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine two tender cake layers, each infused with rich, nutty flavor, all wrapped up in a cloud of creamy peanut butter frosting. This recipe is pure comfort and celebration in every bite, perfect for birthdays, potlucks, or anytime you want to treat yourself or your favorite people to something wonderfully homemade. Whether you’re a peanut butter fanatic or just love a show-stopping cake, you’ll find yourself coming back to this Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about baking this cake is how it transforms simple pantry staples into something truly extraordinary. Every ingredient in this Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe plays a starring role, from the creamy peanut butter lending its signature flavor, to the tangy buttermilk that ensures a perfectly tender crumb.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of your cake, giving it structure and a soft, delicate texture.
- Baking powder: Adds lift, making your cake layers light and fluffy.
- Baking soda: Works alongside the buttermilk to give extra rise and a tender crumb.
- Salt: Just a touch to balance the sweetness and enhance the peanut butter flavor.
- Unsalted butter (for cake and frosting): Provides rich flavor and a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Creamy peanut butter (for cake and frosting): The star of the show, infusing both the cake and frosting with irresistible nutty goodness.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps create a beautiful, moist crumb.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and add structure for slices that hold up beautifully.
- Vanilla extract (for cake and frosting): Rounds out the flavors and adds a subtle warmth.
- Buttermilk: The secret to extra-moist, tender cake layers with a slight tang.
- Powdered sugar (for frosting): Makes the frosting smooth and perfectly sweet.
- Heavy cream (for frosting): Loosens the frosting to a spreadable, fluffy consistency.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Cake Pans and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a moment to generously grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper for extra insurance. This simple step makes sure your beautiful cake layers release easily and stay intact.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking not only combines these essentials, but also aerates the flour, which helps keep your cake tender and light.
Step 3: Cream the Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for creating an airy cake crumb, as it whips in lots of tiny air bubbles.
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract, which will give your cake a subtle, inviting aroma.
Step 5: Alternate Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk
With your mixer on low, add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture in alternating batches, starting and ending with the dry mix. This gentle approach ensures your batter stays smooth and prevents over-mixing, which can make the cake tough.
Step 6: Bake the Cake Layers
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth out the tops. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing as the Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe comes to life!
Step 7: Cool the Cakes
Let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes. Then, gently turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely. This patience pays off with perfectly textured layers that won’t melt the frosting.
Step 8: Make the Peanut Butter Frosting
Beat the softened butter and creamy peanut butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing as you go, then pour in the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Continue beating until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable. If it’s a little stiff, add a splash more cream.
Step 9: Assemble and Frost the Cake
Place one cake layer on your serving plate and spread a generous layer of peanut butter frosting on top. Add the second cake layer and frost the top and sides, swirling the frosting into beautiful peaks. Your masterpiece is now ready to be admired and devoured!
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
A little flourish goes a long way! For a gorgeous finish, sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts over the top, or add chocolate shavings for a decadent touch. Even a light dusting of powdered sugar can make this Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe look extra special.
Side Dishes
Balance out the richness of the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. For something refreshing, serve it alongside fresh berries—raspberries and strawberries are especially lovely with peanut butter.
Creative Ways to Present
Try baking the recipe as cupcakes for a fun, portable treat, or make a single-layer sheet cake for an easy crowd-pleaser. For parties, cut the cake into squares and serve atop mini plates with a drizzle of warm chocolate sauce. However you slice it, this Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe is sure to steal the show.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cake covered tightly at room temperature for up to two days, or refrigerate it for up to five days. If chilled, bring slices to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Freezing
This cake freezes beautifully! Wrap unfrosted cake layers tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to two months. For frosted leftovers, freeze individual slices on a tray, then transfer to an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying.
Reheating
You don’t need to reheat this cake, but if you love a warm slice, microwave individual pieces for 10-15 seconds. This gently softens the frosting and brings out that luscious peanut butter aroma all over again.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add delightful bits of peanut throughout the cake and frosting, giving it extra texture and a fun twist on the classic Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in the same quantity. Just keep an eye on the texture and check for doneness as gluten-free cakes sometimes need a minute or two longer in the oven.
What if I don’t have buttermilk?
No worries! You can make an easy substitute by mixing 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for five minutes, and you’ll have homemade buttermilk perfect for this Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe.
Can I bake this as a sheet cake instead of layers?
Definitely. Just spread the batter in a greased 9×13-inch pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. It’s a wonderful way to make the Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe even easier for potlucks or casual gatherings.
How can I make the frosting even fluffier?
For an extra-fluffy frosting, beat in a little more heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. This creates a light, airy finish that’s perfect for swooping over your cake.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about a homemade Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe—each bite is a celebration of classic flavors and simple joy. If you love peanut butter, or just want to surprise your friends and family with a cake that’s guaranteed to get rave reviews, this recipe is waiting for you. Go ahead, turn on the oven and enjoy every delicious moment!
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Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting is a rich and moist layer cake perfect for peanut butter lovers. Made with creamy peanut butter baked into the cake batter and topped with a luscious peanut butter frosting, it’s a decadent dessert ideal for birthdays, special occasions, or any time you crave a nutty, sweet treat.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (more if needed for consistency)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Cream Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for a tender cake.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully combine them, then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet batter, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cake.
- Divide Batter and Bake: Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared pans and smooth out the tops. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely to room temperature before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat softened unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter together until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then mix in the heavy cream and vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. Add more cream if needed to reach spreading consistency.
- Assemble the Cake: Spread a layer of frosting between the cooled cake layers, then cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
Notes
- For extra flavor and texture, sprinkle chopped peanuts on top of the frosted cake.
- This recipe also works well as a sheet cake using a 9×13-inch pan; bake for 35 to 40 minutes in that case.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 37 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
