Heavenly Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

Crafting a decadent dark chocolate peanut butter cake brings pure bliss to any dessert table.

Sweet meets rich in this indulgent creation that promises pure comfort.

Chocolate lovers will swoon over the intense cocoa depth balanced by creamy peanut butter notes.

Layers of moist cake meld perfectly with velvety frosting, creating an irresistible combination.

Guests will marvel at the elegant presentation and complex flavor profile.

Each slice delivers a harmonious blend of classic ingredients transformed into something extraordinary.

Trust me, this cake will become your new favorite showstopping dessert that everyone will request again and again.

Why Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Is Decadent

• Indulge in Decadent Layers: Dive into a rich chocolate cake with creamy peanut butter frosting that creates a perfect flavor explosion for serious dessert lovers.
• Quick and Simple Preparation: Mix ingredients in one bowl, use basic pantry staples, and create a stunning cake without complicated techniques or professional baking skills.
• Perfect for Crowd-Pleasing Moments: Ideal for birthday parties, potlucks, and family gatherings where everyone craves a showstopping chocolate dessert that satisfies multiple taste preferences.
• Customizable Chocolate Delight: Easily adjust ganache thickness, swap chocolate types, or add extra toppings like chopped peanuts or chocolate chips to make the recipe uniquely yours.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Dark Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the cake.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the cake rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and provide moisture to the cake.
• Milk: Adds liquid and helps create a smooth batter.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures the cake remains moist and tender.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a classic, complementary flavor to the chocolate.
• Boiling Water: Helps dissolve cocoa and creates a thin, smooth batter.

• Peanut Butter: Creates a creamy, nutty frosting with rich flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth frosting texture.
• Heavy Cream: Used in both frosting and ganache for creaminess.
• Dark Chocolate: Forms a glossy, decadent ganache topping.

How to Make Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm up the oven to 350F.

Coat two 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray or butter, then line the bottom with parchment paper for easy cake removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients until they’re perfectly blended.

Step 3: Create Cake Batter

• Eggs
• Milk
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract

Beat the mixture on medium speed until the batter becomes silky smooth and free of lumps.

Step 4: Add Moisture

Gently stir in boiling water.

The batter will look thin and runny – this is exactly right.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.

Step 5: Bake Cake Layers

Slide the pans into the preheated oven.

Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling racks.

Step 6: Whip Peanut Butter Frosting

• Creamy peanut butter
• Powdered sugar
• Softened butter
• Heavy cream

Whip until the frosting becomes light, fluffy, and irresistibly smooth.

Step 7: Create Chocolate Ganache

Warm heavy cream in a saucepan.

Pour the hot cream over finely chopped dark chocolate.

Stir gently until the chocolate melts completely and the ganache becomes glossy.

Step 8: Assemble Decadent Cake

Place one cake layer on a serving plate.

Spread a generous layer of peanut butter frosting.

Top with the second cake layer.

Pour the rich chocolate ganache over the entire cake, allowing it to drip beautifully down the sides.

Step 9: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes to set the ganache and frosting.

Slice and serve this luxurious chocolate peanut butter masterpiece.

Tips for Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

• Add an extra tablespoon of oil to ensure the cake remains incredibly soft and tender even after refrigeration.
• Mix chocolate chips with a teaspoon of flour before adding to batter to prevent them from dropping to the cake's bottom during baking.
• Let ingredients like eggs and milk sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to create a smoother, more consistent cake batter.
• Allow ganache to cool for 10-15 minutes before pouring to achieve a glossy, smooth finish that drips elegantly down the cake sides.
• Replace dairy milk with almond or oat milk for a lactose-free version without compromising the cake's rich, decadent texture.

Variations of Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains rich chocolate flavor.
• Vegan Chocolate Cake: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use plant-based milk, coconut oil instead of butter, and dairy-free chocolate for a completely plant-based dessert.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Cake: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, use sugar-free dark chocolate, and reduce overall sweetness while maintaining decadent taste.
• Nut-Free Alternative: Replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or vanilla buttercream for those with nut allergies, keeping the chocolate cake's core essence intact.

Serving Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

• Sweet Slice of Heaven: Serve each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a cool, creamy contrast to the rich chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
• Decadent Drizzle: Sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts or chocolate shavings over the ganache to add a delightful crunch and extra layer of texture.
• Coffee Companion: Pair a slice with a strong espresso or dark roast coffee to complement the deep chocolate notes and enhance the dessert's richness.
• Party Presentation: Arrange the cake on a beautiful cake stand and garnish with fresh strawberries or raspberries for a pop of color and light fruity balance.

Storing Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

• Store covered in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep cake in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent frosting from melting.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Place in freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap, then place in sealed container. Refrigerate for quick grab-and-go treats lasting 3-4 days.
• Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature for 30 minutes. Warm individual slices in microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power to maintain moisture and texture.

FAQs

• Can I use natural peanut butter for the frosting?

Natural peanut butter might be too runny. Stick to creamy, stabilized peanut butter like Jif or Skippy to ensure the frosting holds its shape and texture.

• Is the boiling water necessary in the cake batter?

Yes, boiling water helps activate the cocoa powder, making the chocolate flavor deeper and the cake more moist. It creates a richer, more intense chocolate taste.

• How can I tell if the cake is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the cake is done. Avoid any wet batter on the toothpick.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Rich layers of dark chocolate embrace creamy peanut butter in this irresistible dark chocolate peanut butter cake. Silky ganache and nutty frosting create a luxurious dessert sure to delight chocolate and peanut butter enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (75 grams) dark cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (7 grams) baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (7 grams) baking soda
• 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt

Wet Cake Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) boiling water

Frosting and Ganache Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (180 grams) creamy peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup (57 grams) butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) heavy cream
• 8 ounces (226 grams) dark chocolate
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 350°F and prepare two 9-inch cake pans by greasing and lining with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together dry ingredients including flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
3. Incorporate wet ingredients – eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract – into the dry mixture. Mix thoroughly using an electric mixer on medium speed until batter becomes completely smooth and uniform.
4. Gently fold in boiling water, which will create an unusually thin cake batter. Distribute the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center. Cakes are ready when the toothpick emerges clean without wet batter.
6. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to wire cooling racks to reach room temperature.
7. Prepare peanut butter frosting by blending peanut butter, powdered sugar, softened butter, and cream until achieving a light, fluffy consistency.
8. Create chocolate ganache by heating cream and pouring over finely chopped dark chocolate. Stir continuously until mixture becomes completely smooth and glossy.
9. Construct cake by spreading peanut butter frosting between cake layers and drizzling ganache over the top, ensuring even coverage.
10. Refrigerate the assembled cake for 30 minutes to set the frosting and enhance flavor melding before serving.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients for better cake texture and even mixing.
• Sift dry ingredients to prevent lumps and ensure a smoother batter consistency.
• For gluten-free option, replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
• Create dairy-free version by substituting milk with almond or oat milk and using vegan butter alternatives.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 331 kcal
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 204 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 52 mg