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For those who love the unbeatable combination of chocolate and peanut butter, this Rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake is an absolute dream. A moist, dense chocolate cake is paired with a creamy peanut butter frosting that tastes just like a giant peanut butter cup. With its rich flavor and simple yet satisfying layers, this cake is the perfect dessert for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply treating yourself, this indulgent cake will always impress.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
10 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 cup sunflower oil (or another neutral oil)
1 1/2 cups white granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
2 large eggs
3/4 cup whole milk
1 cup strong hot coffee
1 tablespoon sweet hot cocoa powder (for added chocolatey flavor)

For the Peanut Butter Frosting:

3 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

For Decoration:

Malt chocolate balls or other preferred chocolate toppings

Directions

Prepare the Cake Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and flour two 8-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Set aside.
Make the Cake Batter: In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, and vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Alternately add the dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, starting and ending with the flour mixture.
Add the Coffee: In a separate bowl, whisk the hot cocoa powder into the coffee until fully dissolved. Slowly add the coffee mixture into the cake batter and combine until smooth.
Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Peanut Butter Frosting: While the cakes are cooling, prepare the peanut butter frosting. In a large bowl, beat the butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and beat until smooth.
Assemble the Cake: Once the cakes have cooled, place one cake layer flat side down on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of peanut butter frosting on top. Place the second cake layer on top, flat side up, and spread frosting over the top and sides. Use the remaining frosting to pipe dollops on top of the cake.
Decorate the Cake: Decorate the cake with malt chocolate balls or your preferred topping. Refrigerate the cake to allow the frosting to set, and take it out about 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.

Nutrients

Calories: 450 kcal per serving
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 7g
Sugar: 25g
Fiber: 2g

Why Chocolate and Peanut Butter Make the Perfect Pairing

Chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in dessert heaven. The bitterness and depth of flavor from chocolate pair beautifully with the creamy sweetness and salty undertones of peanut butter. The smooth, melt-in-your-mouth qualities of peanut butter contrast wonderfully with the rich, often dense texture of chocolate cakes and frostings. This combination is both comforting and addictive, making it a go-to flavor duo in countless desserts.

The interplay of salty and sweet is another reason why this combination is so popular. Peanut butter’s natural saltiness balances the sweetness of chocolate, creating a perfectly harmonious flavor profile. This balance is particularly evident in the Rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake, where the rich chocolate cake acts as a base to absorb the nutty, creamy frosting, enhancing the overall flavor experience. It’s a pairing that can never go wrong and guarantees a dessert that will be loved by many.

The Moist and Flavorful Chocolate Cake

The base of this cake is a moist, dense chocolate cake that serves as the perfect canvas for the peanut butter frosting. What sets this chocolate cake apart is its depth of flavor, achieved by adding a combination of unsweetened cocoa powder, hot coffee, and sweet cocoa powder. The unsweetened cocoa powder brings a rich, slightly bitter taste, which is balanced by the sweetness of the sugar and the addition of coffee. The hot coffee not only enhances the flavor of the cocoa but also keeps the cake moist and tender.

One of the key elements in achieving this cake’s tender crumb is the use of oil rather than butter. While butter provides a rich flavor, oil creates a moist, dense texture that helps the cake stay soft for days. The combination of oil, sugar, and eggs ensures that the cake has just the right level of sweetness while maintaining a soft, velvety texture that contrasts beautifully with the creamy peanut butter frosting.

The addition of baking soda and baking powder helps the cake rise, giving it a light, fluffy structure despite its dense texture. This balance of lightness and richness makes the chocolate cake an ideal partner for the thick, creamy frosting that follows. The result is a cake that’s indulgent yet satisfying—rich but not overwhelmingly heavy.

The Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting

The frosting is where the magic truly happens in this cake. Made with creamy peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, this frosting is thick, smooth, and rich, with just the right amount of sweetness. The peanut butter provides a nutty depth that perfectly complements the chocolate cake, while the butter gives the frosting a smooth, silky texture. The powdered sugar sweetens the frosting without making it too cloying, and the vanilla extract adds a subtle warmth that rounds out the flavor.

What makes this peanut butter frosting especially decadent is the perfect balance between richness and spreadability. It’s firm enough to hold up when spreading between the layers of the cake and covering the top and sides, but it’s also soft enough to pipe dollops and decorations on top. The frosting is as smooth and creamy as the peanut butter itself, making it the ideal topping for the moist, dense chocolate cake.

As you assemble the cake, the frosting forms a creamy layer that ties everything together, creating an irresistible contrast to the dense, flavorful cake beneath it. It’s not just a topping—it’s an essential part of the experience, making every bite of this cake a satisfying indulgence.

Assembling the Cake

Assembling the Rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake is simple but rewarding. The chocolate cake layers are baked separately, ensuring that each layer cooks evenly and retains its soft, moist texture. After allowing the cakes to cool, the peanut butter frosting is generously spread between the layers. Once stacked, the cake is covered in a smooth layer of frosting on the top and sides, creating a beautiful contrast with the dark chocolate cake.

The final touch is the decoration. While the cake is delicious on its own, decorating it with malt chocolate balls or other preferred chocolate toppings adds an extra level of elegance. Not only does this add a visual appeal, but it also enhances the flavor by adding another layer of chocolate. The decoration is a perfect finishing touch that elevates the cake, making it look as indulgent as it tastes.

The Perfect Cake for Any Occasion

The Rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake is versatile enough for a variety of occasions. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting a dinner party, or simply craving a sweet treat, this cake fits any occasion. Its rich, indulgent flavors make it perfect for special celebrations, while its moist texture and creamy frosting make it a crowd-pleasing dessert for any event.

This cake is especially great for chocolate and peanut butter lovers, but its combination of sweetness and richness ensures that it will appeal to a wide range of tastes. It’s also a great choice for anyone looking for a show-stopping dessert. With its beautiful layers and elegant decoration, the cake looks as impressive as it tastes, making it a fantastic centerpiece for any gathering.

Additionally, because of its rich flavor and dense texture, this cake pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea, making it an excellent option for afternoon gatherings or brunches. It’s the type of dessert that elevates an everyday moment into something special, allowing you to indulge and savor each bite.

Why This Cake Is a Must-Try

What makes the Rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake a must-try dessert is its combination of simple ingredients that come together to create something extraordinary. The dense, flavorful chocolate cake provides the perfect foundation for the creamy, decadent peanut butter frosting, resulting in a cake that’s both satisfying and indulgent. The addition of coffee to the cake batter enhances the chocolate flavor, while the creamy peanut butter frosting takes the dessert to the next level, making it rich without being overly sweet.

This cake also offers the perfect balance of textures. The dense, moist cake contrasts beautifully with the smooth, creamy frosting, while the optional chocolate decorations add an extra layer of crunch and flavor. The combination of textures and flavors in this cake creates a memorable dessert that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake is the ultimate indulgence for anyone who loves the combination of chocolate and peanut butter. From the moist, dense chocolate cake to the creamy, smooth peanut butter frosting, this cake is a flavor-packed treat that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or treating yourself to something special, this cake is sure to impress. Its rich flavor, balanced sweetness, and satisfying textures make it a dessert that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who tries it. It’s a must-try for chocolate and peanut butter lovers alike, and a recipe that will quickly become a favorite in your baking repertoire.