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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F and prepare two 9-inch cake pans by greasing and lining with parchment paper.
- Whisk together dry ingredients including flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- 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.
- Gently fold in boiling water, which will create an unusually thin cake batter. Distribute the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- 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.
- Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to wire cooling racks to reach room temperature.
- Prepare peanut butter frosting by blending peanut butter, powdered sugar, softened butter, and cream until achieving a light, fluffy consistency.
- Create chocolate ganache by heating cream and pouring over finely chopped dark chocolate. Stir continuously until mixture becomes completely smooth and glossy.
- Construct cake by spreading peanut butter frosting between cake layers and drizzling ganache over the top, ensuring even coverage.
- 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