If you adore the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter in desserts, you are going to fall head over heels for this Peanut Butter Cake Recipe. Picture a moist, tender cake infused with creamy peanut butter flavor, topped with a luscious and fluffy peanut butter frosting that melts in your mouth. This cake strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or a cozy family dinner, this recipe will quickly become your go-to for showcasing the bold, comforting taste of peanut butter in a classic cake form.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Don’t let the ingredient list intimidate you—this recipe uses simple, everyday staples that work brilliantly together to create a harmonious blend of flavors, texture, and moistness. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, whether it’s the all-purpose flour lending structure, the peanut butter providing that signature richness, or the sugar bringing the perfect sweetness.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: Gives the cake its light, airy structure while keeping it tender.
- 2 cups granulated sugar: Adds the needed sweetness and helps with the cake’s moisture retention.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent to make the cake rise beautifully.
- ½ cup milk: Incorporates moisture and keeps the crumb soft.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and enrich the cake’s texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
- 1 cup water: Balances the batter’s consistency and helps dissolve sugar.
- ½ cup unsalted butter: Contributes to richness and depth of flavor.
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient, providing that unmistakable signature flavor.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Essential for the creamy frosting texture.
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter: Doubles down on the peanut butter impact in the frosting.
- 3 tablespoons milk: Used to perfect the frosting’s smoothness.
- 2 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the frosting to the right consistency.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your baking dish by greasing a 9×13 inch pan with butter, then dust it lightly with flour. This simple step ensures your cake will come out cleanly without sticking, making your life so much easier later on.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, and baking soda. Mixing these dry ingredients uniformly guarantees that the leavening will distribute evenly throughout the cake, helping it rise to a perfect fluffy texture.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Next, add the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract to your dry mixture. Beat everything on low speed just until combined. Overbeating can make your cake dense, so keep it gentle to maintain a light crumb that’s tender and moist.
Step 4: Heat Peanut Butter Mixture
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the water, unsalted butter, and creamy peanut butter. Stir frequently until the butter and peanut butter melt smoothly into the water. This warm, velvety liquid will infuse the batter with deep, rich peanut flavor and add a beautiful moistness to the final cake.
Step 5: Combine and Bake
Pour the warm peanut butter mixture into the cake batter and fold gently until everything is well incorporated. Transfer the batter into your prepared baking dish and pop it into the oven. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean—this signals the cake is perfectly baked. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Step 6: Make Frosting
For that perfect finishing touch, cream together the softened butter and peanut butter until fluffy and light. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with the milk, until you achieve a smooth and spreadable frosting consistency. This frosting is where the luscious, nutty flavor really shines, wonderfully complementing the cake.
Step 7: Frost and Serve
Once the cake has fully cooled, generously spread the peanut butter frosting over the top. Whether you slice it for a casual snack or plate it for a special occasion, each bite is guaranteed to be a delight packed with creamy, nutty goodness.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Think about elevating your peanut butter cake with some crunchy roasted peanuts or a light drizzle of melted chocolate. These simple garnishes add texture and an extra flavor dimension, making every forkful more exciting and visually inviting.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs delightfully with plain vanilla ice cream or a scoop of whipped cream, balancing the rich peanut taste with cool, refreshing creaminess. A cup of strong coffee or a cold glass of milk can also be the perfect accompaniment to round out your dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive twist, try layering the cake with sliced bananas or a raspberry compote between cake layers before frosting. You can also cut the cake into mini squares and serve on decorative toothpicks as bite-sized treats at parties. Presentation can make this Peanut Butter Cake Recipe feel even more special and personalized.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After your cake is frosted, store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Keeping it covered prevents the cake from drying out and the frosting from hardening, so it stays fresh and inviting.
Freezing
If you want to make this cake ahead for a special event, it freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to avoid freezer burn. Frozen peanut butter cake can last up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting or serving.
Reheating
This cake is best enjoyed at room temperature, so there’s no need for reheating. However, if chilled, simply leave it out for 30 minutes to come to room warmth, enhancing the softness and intensifying the peanut butter flavor.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
You certainly can! Using crunchy peanut butter will give your cake a slightly chunkier texture and add extra nutty bites, which many peanut butter lovers enjoy. Just be sure to stir it well when melting.
Is this cake gluten-free?
This particular recipe calls for all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, you could experiment with gluten-free flour blends that substitute cup-for-cup with regular flour for a gluten-free version.
Can I make this cake dairy-free?
With a few swaps, yes! Use a non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk and replace butter with a plant-based alternative. The flavor will still be deliciously peanutty and moist.
How do I know when the cake is done baking?
The classic toothpick test works best—insert a toothpick into the center of the cake and if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is done. Avoid overbaking to keep it tender.
Can I halve the recipe for a smaller cake?
Absolutely! You can reduce all ingredient amounts by half and bake in a smaller pan, adjusting the bake time accordingly. Keep an eye on the cake and test for doneness early to prevent drying out.
Final Thoughts
This Peanut Butter Cake Recipe is a heartfelt celebration of one of the most beloved flavors around. It’s simple enough for beginners yet impressive enough to serve as the centerpiece of any gathering. Once you try it, I bet you’ll want to keep this recipe close as a comforting dessert to share with friends and family. Go ahead, bake it today—you deserve a slice of pure peanut butter perfection.
Print
Peanut Butter Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Peanut Butter Cake is a rich, moist dessert featuring a luscious peanut butter-infused batter baked to perfection and topped with a creamy peanut butter frosting. Perfect for peanut butter lovers looking for a classic homemade treat that’s easy to prepare and delightful to share.
Ingredients
Cake Batter Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
Frosting Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter and lightly dust with flour to prevent sticking, ensuring your cake releases easily after baking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and baking soda to evenly distribute the leavening agent and sugar throughout the flour.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat on low speed until just combined to avoid overmixing and to create a smooth batter.
- Heat Peanut Butter Mixture: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine water, unsalted butter, and creamy peanut butter. Stir frequently until the mixture is melted and smooth, creating a warm peanut butter sauce.
- Combine and Bake: Pour the warm peanut butter mixture into the cake batter and mix until fully incorporated. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
- Make Frosting: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk, until the frosting reaches a smooth and spreadable consistency.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the peanut butter frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Slice and serve for a delicious peanut butter dessert experience.
Notes
- Make sure to cool the cake completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- You can substitute creamy peanut butter with natural peanut butter but expect a slightly different texture.
- For an extra chocolate twist, consider adding ½ cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.
- Store leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- This recipe can be made gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
