Peanut Butter Cake

The Story Behind the Recipe – A Slice of Chocolate-Peanut Butter Heaven 🍫🥜

Some recipes are born from cravings that simply won’t quit. You know those moments when your sweet tooth whispers “I need chocolate” and your heart adds “but make it peanut butter too!”? That’s exactly how this Peanut Butter Cake came to life in my kitchen.

It was a rainy Saturday afternoon, and my little one had just come home from school clutching a tiny pack of Reese’s cups — her favorite candy in the world. She gave me that big grin and said, “Mama, can we bake something with these?”

And just like that, inspiration struck.

We pulled out the cocoa powder, the peanut butter jar, and the mixer. The smell of chocolate filled the kitchen while laughter filled the air. When we finally drizzled that silky peanut butter frosting over the cake and sprinkled chopped Reese’s cups on top, I knew we had something special — a dessert that was equal parts nostalgia, indulgence, and pure joy.

Now, this cake has become a family tradition. Every birthday, every celebration, every “just because” baking day — this cake finds its way to the table, reminding me that the sweetest memories are made one slice at a time. 🍰❤️

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What Makes This Recipe Special 🌟

• 🍫 Chocolate + Peanut Butter = Perfection: A match made in dessert heaven.
• 🧁 Moist & Rich: Soft, fudgy layers that melt in your mouth.
• 🥜 Creamy Frosting: A luscious peanut butter buttercream that’s downright irresistible.
• 🍬 Loaded with Reese’s: Chopped candies inside, on top, and even in the frosting!
• 🎉 Party-Worthy: The kind of cake that makes people wow when you bring it out.

This isn’t just a dessert — it’s an experience. A love letter to every chocolate-peanut butter fan out there.

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Ingredients – Fresh, Simple & Full of Flavor

🍰 For the Chocolate Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water (yes, boiling — it makes the cake extra moist!)

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🥜 For the Peanut Butter Frosting:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream (as needed for consistency)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

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🍫 For the Chocolate Ganache (Optional but Oh-So-Good):

• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

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🍬 For Topping:

• 1 cup chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (plus extra for garnish)

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Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.

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Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

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Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed until smooth and combined.

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Step 4: Add Boiling Water

Slowly pour in the boiling water while mixing. The batter will be thin — that’s what makes the cake so moist and fudgy!

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Step 5: Bake

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool completely on wire racks before frosting.

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Step 6: Make the Peanut Butter Frosting

In a large bowl, beat together peanut butter and butter until creamy.

Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing well. Add vanilla and cream until you get a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Taste test (just to make sure it’s perfect 😉).

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Step 7: Make the Chocolate Ganache (Optional)

Heat heavy cream until steaming, then pour over chocolate chips. Let sit 2 minutes, then stir until glossy and smooth.

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Step 8: Assemble the Cake

Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of peanut butter frosting and sprinkle chopped Reese’s cups on top.

Add the second cake layer and frost the top and sides completely.

If using ganache, drizzle it slowly over the top and let it drip down the sides.

Finish with a crown of chopped Reese’s on top. 👑🍬

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Serving Suggestions – What to Pair It With 🍽️

• 🥛 Cold Milk: Classic combo — rich cake + chilled milk = heaven.
• ☕ Coffee or Espresso: The bitterness of coffee balances the sweetness beautifully.
• 🍨 Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of cool creaminess makes every bite extra indulgent.
• 🍾 Special Occasions: Perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or holiday celebrations.

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Customization & Variations 🌈

• 🧁 Cupcake Version: Make 24 cupcakes and swirl peanut butter frosting on top.
• 🍰 Peanut Butter Overload: Add Reese’s Pieces or peanut butter chips to the batter.
• 🍫 Extra Chocolatey: Stir mini chocolate chips into the cake for double indulgence.
• 🍌 Banana Twist: Add mashed banana to the batter for a chocolate-peanut butter-banana dream.
• 🥜 Crunchy Texture: Sprinkle chopped peanuts between layers for extra bite.
• 🎂 Layered Perfection: Alternate chocolate and peanut butter frosting for a showstopper cake.

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Storing & Reheating

• Room Temperature: Store covered for up to 2 days.
• Refrigerate: Keeps well for up to 5 days (best served at room temp).
• Freeze: Wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before serving.

(Pro Tip: The flavors actually get better the next day — the peanut butter seeps into the cake and makes it even more irresistible!)

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Nutritional Snapshot (Per Serving – Approx.)

• Calories: 560
• Protein: 9g
• Fat: 32g
• Carbohydrates: 62g
• Sugar: 42g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sodium: 290mg

This one’s a treat — and totally worth every bite! 😋

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Reader Q&A – Common Questions

1. Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! Bake the layers a day ahead and frost before serving.

2. Can I use natural peanut butter?
It’s best to use creamy, shelf-stable peanut butter for smoother frosting.

3. Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

4. What if I don’t have two cake pans?
You can bake in one deep pan and slice horizontally, or make it in a 9×13-inch dish.

5. Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes — reduce by up to ¼ cup in the cake or frosting without losing texture.

6. Can I skip the ganache?
Absolutely! The cake is delicious with just the peanut butter frosting.

7. What’s the best cocoa powder to use?
Use unsweetened natural or Dutch-process cocoa for rich flavor.

8. Can I use boxed cake mix?
Sure! Use a chocolate cake mix and make the frosting from scratch for that homemade touch.

9. How do I get neat slices?
Chill the cake for 20 minutes before cutting — it makes slicing clean and easy.

10. Can I turn this into a poke cake?
Yes! Poke holes in the cake, pour warm ganache over it, then frost — decadent!

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Final Thoughts 🍽️

There’s something so comforting about the combination of chocolate and peanut butter — it’s like a warm hug in dessert form. This Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake brings that nostalgic candy-bar flavor to life in a showstopping, homemade treat.

It’s rich but balanced, indulgent yet joyful, and most importantly, made with love. ❤️

Whether it’s for a birthday, a celebration, or just a “because we deserve cake today” kind of moment — this recipe will win hearts every single time. So go ahead, grab your whisk, unwrap a few Reese’s, and bake your way to happiness.

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Tried This Recipe? 💕

Did you make this Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake? I’d love to see how it turned out!

📸 Share your photos on Pinterest and tag @Granny’s Lil Kitchen so I can cheer you on and feature your creations!

Don’t forget to leave a comment below — tell me how you liked it, what variations you tried, or who you shared it with (because no one should eat this alone!).

Until next time, keep your oven warm and your heart full of sweetness. 💕🎂