chocolate peanut butter cakeI'm unabashed when it comes to my love for the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. Truly, I am yet to meet two flavors that go together so exquisitely. So, every time I find a recipe that calls for both, count me in. Especially when said recipe also involves cake.

This week, I bring to you Chocolate and Peanut Butter Layer Cake. It's easy to throw together; there isn't a soul on the planet who doesn't like the taste of these two decadent ingredients; and each bite is like a mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cup bursting in your mouth. It's a beautiful thing.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Cake adapted from The Other Side of Fifty

Ingredients for chocolate cake:

  • 1 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 large eggs plus 2 large egg whites
  • 2 1/2 cups cake flour
  • 1 cup Dutch-processed cocoa
  • 2 tsp espresso powder
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 1/4 cups buttermilk
  • Your favorite chocolate icing (optional)

Ingredients for peanut butter filling:

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
  • 1/2 cup marshmallow creme (Fluff)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, chilled
  • Pinch salt

Instructions for chocolate cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray cake pans with cooking spray and flour generously.

2. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla with mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Scrape down bowl and beaters.

3. In a separate bowl combine flour, cocoa, espresso powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat into creamed mixture alternating with the buttermilk. Scrape down bowl and beaters and continue mixing on medium speed for one minute. Pour into prepared pans.

4. Bake for 28-30 minutes and until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.

5. Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes before removing from pans to cool completely on cooling rack.

6. When cakes have completely cooled, slice them in half horizontally, now giving you four separate cake layers. Place one layer on plate and spread peanut butter filling over the top. Repeat with remaining layers. (Optional -- Spread your favorite chocolate icing on top of the last layer instead of peanut butter.)

Instructions for peanut butter filling:

Mix all of the filling ingredients together with a mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scraping down the bowl as necessary.

 

Image via little blue hen/Flickr