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Irresistible Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Recipe with 3 Layers

chocolate peanut butter cake
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A rich and decadent chocolate peanut butter cake featuring moist chocolate layers, creamy peanut butter buttercream, and a glossy chocolate ganache drip.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup hot coffee (or hot water)
  • 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter
  • 5 cups powdered sugar
  • 2–4 tbsp heavy cream (as needed)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (or chips)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 6-inch cake pans with parchment rounds.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Whisk in eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Slowly whisk in hot coffee (batter will be thin).
  5. Divide batter evenly among pans. Bake 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  6. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
  7. Beat butter and peanut butter until creamy (2–3 minutes). Add powdered sugar gradually, then vanilla and salt. Beat in heavy cream 1 tbsp at a time until fluffy and spreadable.
  8. Level cake layers if needed. Stack with a thick layer of peanut butter buttercream between each layer. Crumb coat the cake, chill 15 minutes, then frost smoothly.
  9. Heat cream until steaming (not boiling). Pour over chocolate, rest 2 minutes, then whisk until glossy. Cool 5–10 minutes until drip consistency.
  10. Spoon or pipe ganache around the rim for drips, then cover the top. Pipe peanut butter buttercream dollops around the sides/top if desired. Chill 10–15 minutes to set before slicing.

Notes

  • Use high-quality cocoa powder for the best chocolate flavor.
  • Ensure all cake ingredients are at room temperature for even mixing.
  • Adjust ganache thickness by cooling longer for thicker drips or using it warm for thinner ones.

Nutrition

Keywords: chocolate peanut butter cake, chocolate ganache drip cake, peanut butter buttercream frosting, layered chocolate cake recipe, bakery-style drip cake, peanut butter chocolate dessert

Find it online: https://jessicarecipe.com/chocolate-peanut-butter-cake-recipe/