Description
Classic peanut butter chocolate layer cake delivers rich, indulgent flavors from smooth chocolate layers and creamy peanut butter frosting. Rich dessert delights chocolate and peanut butter enthusiasts with its balanced, irresistible combination.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lg eggs
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
- 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsps baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)
- ½ cup (120 ml) hot coffee or hot water
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (250 g) creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (85 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tsp butter (for extra shine)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and meticulously line two 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper, ensuring thorough greasing to prevent sticking.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until achieving a uniform, lump-free powder blend that promises a velvety cake texture.
- Wet Ingredient Amalgamation: Create a silky mixture by combining sugars, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and buttermilk in a separate bowl, whisking until the composition reaches a smooth, glossy consistency.
- Batter Integration: Delicately fold the liquid ingredients into the dry mixture, stirring methodically to prevent clumping and create a luxurious chocolate batter with a satiny finish.
- Liquid Enhancement: Incorporate hot coffee or water, stirring until the batter transforms into a rich, glossy chocolate canvas with deep, complex flavor undertones.
- Baking Process: Distribute the batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing the surfaces, then bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted centrally emerges clean, indicating perfect doneness.
- Cooling and Preparation: Remove cakes from the oven and transfer to wire racks, allowing complete cooling to room temperature, which stabilizes the cake’s structure and prepares it for frosting and layering.
Notes
- Temperature Precision: Use an accurate oven thermometer to ensure exact 350°F for consistent cake texture and even baking.
- Mixing Technique: Fold wet and dry ingredients gently to prevent overmixing, which can lead to dense, tough cake layers.
- Coffee Enhancement: Use freshly brewed hot coffee to intensify chocolate flavor and create deeper, more complex cake moisture.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring eggs, buttermilk, and other liquid ingredients to room temperature for smoother batter integration and better cake rise.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg