Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

This chocolate peanut butter cake is made up of super fudge-y and soft chocolate cake layers frosted with a brown butter peanut buttercream and swirls of creamy peanut butter throughout. Top with extra chopped peanuts to finish her off. 

Why you’ll love this chocolate cake with peanut butter cake 

  • This chocolate cake is fudgy and totally melts in your mouth, not to mention the easiest cake to make with basically two steps.  
  • Peanut butter frosting is good but have you tried peanut butter mixed with browned butter? I had to try it for myself after my friend Sam from Buttermilk By Sam was raving about it. 
  • The recipe is very forgiving and allows for many substitutions and dietary restrictions. 

If you like this chocolate cake recipe, I use it often, like in my chocolate blueberry cake and black forest cake. A similar one is also my chocolate orange cake.

If you’re a chocolate peanut butter lover, I also have the reversed version with peanut butter cake layers and dark chocolate frosting. I think you’ll also like my chocolate peanut butter banana cake, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies and moose tracks ice cream cake!

Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Flour: I use all purpose flour in most of my recipes and I HIGHLY recommend using a digital scale, as flour (and cocoa) is so often over measured. 
  • Baking Powder: I used just baking powder here because it’s more widely available. You can replace it with ¾ tsp of baking soda. 
  • Sugar: I used granulated sugar in the cake and I don’t recommend cutting any out as it affects the texture and the flavor of the cake.
  • Cocoa Powder: I love using dutch-processed cocoa powder because of the darker color and more intense flavor but any natural cocoa powder works well here too. Just make sure it’s unsweetened.
  • Oil: I use canola oil but any type of liquid oil works well.
  • Eggs: make sure to use room temperature, large eggs, about 50-60 grams each (weight is without shell lol).
    • Pop them in hot water for a few minutes if they’re cold.
  • Milk: I generally just use half milk and half sour cream in my cake recipes but for this chocolate cake I used half coffee and half milk.The acid from the coffee makes this cake SO TENDER that you HAVE to use parchment liners. It also gives the cake a more intense chocolate flavor and darker color. 
  • Coffee: I just made an Americano at home for this with my espresso machine but I’ve made it with brewed coffee and store bought ice coffee (unsweetened) and it works well. If you’re not into the coffee, feel free to replace it with water.
  • Peanut Butter: I use creamy peanut butter like JIF or Skippy. I haven’t tested this with natural peanut butter but I would assume it would hold up ok (add a little at a time and assess the buttercream before adding the full amount). 
  • Butter: I use unsalted butter for the buttercream base but I also added a bit of browned butter for extra flavor. This is optional but 10/10 worth the effort.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the browned butter and set it aside to cool completely. Chill it just to resolidify it but not be cold.

Step 2: Start by whisking together the dry ingredients – flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt, and set them aside.

Step 3: In a larger bowl whisk together all the wet ingredients – oil, eggs, coffee and milk, until they’re well combined. 

Step 4: Sift the dry ingredients over the wet and then whisk together the mixture until it’s completely smooth.

Step 4: Distribute evenly into four pans, about 11-12 ounces in each. Make sure your pans are greased and lined with parchment paper for this cake. 

Step 5: Bake for about 25ish minutes. When the cake is done baking, it will release itself from the edge of the pan and spring back when you press on the center. Flip the cakes over onto a cooling rack or a tea towel right away. Allow them to cool upside down until they’re room temperature. 

Step 6: Make the buttercream by cooking the sugar with water until it’s 240F (116C). Meanwhile, beat the eggs with the stand mixer at medium-high speed.

Step 7: Reduce the mixer speed to medium-low and stream the hot sugar syrup into the beating eggs. Try to drizzle it down the edge of the bowl in a single stream (avoid the stream hitting the whisk attachment or it will fling the sugar syrup around, cooling it and creating hard bits around the edge of the bowl). 

Step 8: With the mixer on medium speed, add the butter, 2 Tbsp at a time, waiting until each chunk is incorporated before adding the next.

Step 9: Add the vanilla, peanut butter and (room temp.) browned butter and beat just until it’s well combined. 

Step 10: Layer the cake with the buttercream and extra swirls of peanut butter. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes and then frost the outside of the cake (double the buttercream if you want to do fancy decorations/piping). 

Buttercream Options:

I went with a whole egg buttercream because it doesn’t waste any egg whites or yolks and I like how rich it is (similar to a French Buttercream, which you could definitely use if you have egg yolks to use up).  Swiss meringue buttercream is also a great option if you have egg whites to use up.

Some eggless frosting options are Ermine Buttercream (boiled milk frosting), Cream Cheese Frosting, or American buttercream. Make them as instructed and then just add the brown butter, peanut butter and vanilla.

If you have any trouble with the whole egg buttercream, you can download the guide below for troubleshooting tips! Also check out my cookbook Frosted for all the types of buttercream, how to make them, use them, troubleshoot them, etc.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dairy free?

You can use dairy free butter, dairy free milk/buttermilk to make any of my cakes. You can also use dairy free butter and white chocolate to make the buttercream.  

Can I make this gluten-free?

All my cake recipes work well with a 1:1 gluten-free flour like Bob’s Red Mill and King Arthur Flour

Can I make this in a different size pan?

You can make this cake in:
Three (or four) round or square 6 inch baking pans – I used round
Two round (or three) or square 8 inch baking pan 
Two round or square 9 inch baking pan (will be thinner than the cakes in the photo) – reduce bake time by 5-10 minutes
One square 10 inch baking pan – increase bake time by 10-15 minutes, look for cues. 
A 9×13 inch pan – increase bake time by at least 10-15 minutes, look for cues. 
Cupcakes – Should make about 23 cupcakes, bake for 16-18 minutes

How do I know when it’s done baking?

Just like all the rest of my cakes, I test if it’s done baking by pressing gently on the tallest part of the cake. The cake will spring back if it’s done baking. If it stays indented, give it a few minutes in the oven, before testing again. 
You can also insert a toothpick into the center of the cake (the tallest part) and make sure it comes out clean or with a few crumbs but without any batter on it. 

What if I want to decorate the cake with frosting

You can double the recipe for the buttercream if you want to decorate the outside more than I did. 

How to make ahead

To make the cake ahead of time you can make the cakes even a month in advance. When you remove them from the oven, let them cool for about half an hour and then wrap them individually  in plastic wrap. Then place them in a freezer bag, squeezing out all the excess air. 

You can frost them while they’re frozen but the buttercream may start to set so you’d have to work quickly. It’s best to let them sit out at least 30 minutes before frosting. 

To make the buttercream ahead of time: I don’t prefer to make buttercream ahead of time as it can be temperature sensitive but this buttercream does work ok. You can cover it and leave it at room temperature for 1-2 days or refrigerate or freeze it in an airtight bag or container for weeks. Make sure to bring it back to room temperature well before frosting the cake and you may need to re-whip it. 

*You can brown the butter days in advance and just bring it back to room temperature before using it in the buttercream.

How to store finished cake

I usually just cover my cakes with a cake dome or place it in an airtight container and store it at room temperature for 1-2 days.

It’ll stay well covered in the fridge for 4-7 days but it dries out quicker than the freezer so I recommend freezing after 2-3 days. 

To freeze the whole cake, refrigerate it until it’s firm. Then wrap it in plastic wrap so it’s completely covered. Then wrap it in aluminum foil and freeze. 

To freeze slices, place the slices in an airtight container and then place the container in a freezer bag, squeezing out all the excess air or do the above with each individual slice.

Bring it back to room temperature by thawing at room temperature for a few hours before serving. 

Thanks so much for reading today’s post, if you have any questions just comment down below. Make sure to leave it in the comment section because I can’t answer in the rating section.

If you make this indulgent chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting, I’d love it if you left a star rating for me. If it’s less than five stars, please let me know why! 🙂

As always, have a blessed day and happy baking!

Love, B

Chocolate peanut butter cake, cut into, sitting on marble board on a wooden tray

Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe

Bernice Baran
This chocolate peanut butter cake is made up of super fudgey and soft chocolate cake layers frosted with a brown butter peanut buttercream and swirls of creamy peanut butter throughout. Top with some chopped peanuts and she’s a keeper. 
4.78 from 9 votes
Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Additional Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours 50 minutes
Course Layer Cakes
Cuisine American
Servings 12 slices
Calories 759 kcal

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Cake

  • 240 grams (2 cups) all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
  • 400 grams (2 cups) granulated sugar
  • 80 grams (1 cup) unsweetened cocoa powder spooned and leveled (I like dutch-processed)
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 180 mL (3/4 cup) vegetable or canola oil
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 180 mL (3/4 cup) coffee
  • 180 mL (3/4 cup) milk room temperature

Brown Butter

  • 113 grams (1/2 cup/1 stick/8 Tbsp) butter (I like salted but either works)

Peanut Butter Buttercream

  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 200 grams (1 cup) granulated sugar
  • 60 mL (1/4 cup) water
  • 227 grams (1 cup) unsalted butter room temperature
  • 93 g brown butter room temperature (solidified but not cold)*
  • 180 grams (3/4 cup) smooth peanut butter
  • 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • 60-120 grams (1/4-1/2 cup) smooth peanut butter for swirls
  • handful of chopped peanuts

Instructions
 

Chocolate Cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350F (177C) convection (325F/163C conventional) and grease and line three 6 inch (15cm) round pans with baking spray and parchment paper.*
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt until they're well combined.
    240 grams (2 cups) all-purpose flour, 400 grams (2 cups) granulated sugar, 80 grams (1 cup) unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 Tbsp baking powder, ½ tsp salt
  • In a separate large bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, coffee and milk, until they're well combined. 
    180 mL (3/4 cup) vegetable or canola oil, 2 large eggs, 180 mL (3/4 cup) coffee, 180 mL (3/4 cup) milk
  • Sift the dry ingredients over the wet ingredients and then whisk together until the batter is completely smooth. 
  • Distribute the batter evenly among the three pans, about 16oz, in each, and bake for 35 minutes. The edges should release from the pans and the top should spring back when you press on it gently. 
  • Flip the cake over onto a tea towel and allow it to cool to room temperature.

Brown Butter

  • If the butter is cold, cut it into cubes and place it into a light colored, medium size saucepan, over medium-low heat. 
    113 grams (1/2 cup/1 stick/8 Tbsp) butter
  • Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to stir the butter occasionally. It will begin to bubble, continue stirring intermittently. 
  • Once it begins to foam, you won't be able to see what's happening so stir continuously, making sure to scrape the solids off the bottom of the pan. The milk solids will begin to settle on the bottom of the pan and darken in color.
  • Remove from the heat and continue stirring for another minute or so, until the butter darkens into an amber color.
  • Pour the butter, with all the little solid bits, into a heat safe jar and allow it to cool. Feel free to refrigerate it but stir often so it cool evenly. Bring it back to solid/soft room temperature.

Peanut Butter Buttercream

  • Place the sugar and water in a medium saucepan and swirl the pan until the sugar is fully immersed in water. Place the saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and comes to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat to low and place the lid on the pan and allow the mixture to simmer for a couple minutes. 
    200 grams (1 cup) granulated sugar, 60 mL (1/4 cup) water
  • Meanwhile, place the eggs in the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment, and turn the mixer up to high speed. Let it whip while the sugar is done cooking.
    2 large eggs
  • Use a candy thermometer to see when the sugar reaches 240F (116C), then lower the mixer to medium speed and slowly drizzle the hot sugar syrup into the thick and foamy eggs, while they are whipping. Create a stream going down the bowl, avoid hitting the whisk so it doesn't splatter the sugar syrup.
  • Turn the mixer back up to high speed and let it whip for 5-10 minutes, until the egg mixture is very pale and fluffy and is no longer warm.
  • Turn the mixer back down to medium speed and add in the butter and browned butter, 2 Tbsp of butter at a time, mixing until each chunk is fully combined and the buttercream looks smooth and creamy.
    93 g brown butter, 227 grams (1 cup) unsalted butter
  • Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, add in the vanilla and peanut butter and turn the mixer up to high speed for 1-2 minutes. Smooth it out with a rubber spatula.
    180 grams (3/4 cup) smooth peanut butter, 2 tsp vanilla bean paste

Assemble

  • Spread a generous layer of peanut butter buttercream onto the first layer of cake. Microwave the extra peanut butter for 10 seconds and drizzle some on top of the buttercream.
    60-120 grams (1/4-1/2 cup) smooth peanut butter for swirls
  • Place the second layer on top and then repeat with the last layer.
  • Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour so it’s solid before frosting the outside with the rest of the buttercream.
  • To decorate like mine, smooth out the sides but use a small offset spatula to create the swirls on top. Dap some peanut butter randomly and swipe into the swirls. Top with crushed peanuts.
    handful of chopped peanuts

Notes

*if skipping the browned butter, increase the regular butter in the recipe by 1/4 cup

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 759kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 10gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 380mgPotassium: 287mgFiber: 4gSugar: 53gVitamin A: 812IUCalcium: 115mgIron: 3mg
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Recipe Rating




  1. 5 stars
    I made this for my mom’s birthday tonight and it was AMAZING!! My whole family said that it’s the best cake I’ve ever made (and I’ve made a lot of cakes). This is the only cake my mom wants for her birthday from now on. The frosting is TO DIE FOR!!! Not too sweet but rich and satisfying. I added a milk soak to the cake when stacking and added some chopped peanuts in between the layers for texture.

  2. 5 stars
    Hello, I made this recipe and it turned out perfectly. The buttercream wasnt too sweet and was really buttery (the right amount of peanut butter) and flavorful. It was a really amazing recipe. Thank you for sharing this.