The Best Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Recipe Ever

Rich, decadent dark chocolate peanut butter cake promises an indulgent escape from ordinary desserts.

chocolate lovers will swoon over this irresistible combination of intense flavors.

Smooth peanut butter layers mingle with deep cocoa notes, creating a truly luxurious experience.

Creamy textures and bold ingredients dance together in perfect harmony.

Each slice delivers a symphony of sweet and nutty sensations.

chocolate and peanut butter enthusiasts will find pure bliss in this extraordinary cake.

You can’t resist diving into this delectable masterpiece that elevates comfort food to an art form.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake: A Match Made in Heaven

• Conquer Complex Flavors: A delightful cake that combines rich dark chocolate with creamy peanut butter, creating a sophisticated taste profile that impresses even the most discerning dessert lovers.
• Wow Weekend Gatherings: Perfect for special occasions like birthdays, potlucks, or family celebrations where you want to make a memorable dessert that gets everyone talking and asking for seconds.
• Master Baking Skills: An approachable recipe that helps home bakers build confidence by walking through classic cake-making techniques like ganache and frosting from scratch.
• Indulge Chocolate Lovers: A decadent dessert packed with intense chocolate flavor and smooth peanut butter notes that satisfies serious chocolate cravings in one stunning slice.

What You Need for Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A key component that provides structure to the cake.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and dark color to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and contribute to the cake's moisture and structure.
• Buttermilk: Provides tanginess and helps create a soft, moist cake.

• Vegetable Oil, Hot Water or Coffee: Ensures the cake remains moist and enhances the chocolate flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complements the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.

• Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt: Help the cake rise and balance the overall taste.

• Peanut Butter, Unsalted Butter: Create a creamy, rich base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve the right frosting consistency.

• Dark Chocolate: Forms the base of the glossy, rich ganache topping.
• Heavy Cream: Helps create a smooth, luxurious ganache texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds shine and richness to the ganache.

Baking Instructions for Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Equipment

Warm up your oven to 350°F.

Generously coat two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk everything together until well blended and no lumps remain.

Step 3: Create Wet Mixture

• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Buttermilk
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract

Use an electric mixer to ensure everything is thoroughly incorporated.

Step 4: Combine Cake Batter

Slowly fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Pour in hot water or coffee and mix gently until the batter looks glossy and consistent.

Step 5: Bake Cake Layers

Pour batter evenly into prepared cake pans.

Slide into preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Let cakes cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 6: Whip Up Peanut Butter Frosting

• Creamy peanut butter
• Softened butter

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Slowly incorporate heavy cream until frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.

Step 7: Create Chocolate Ganache

Warm heavy cream in a saucepan.

Pour over chopped dark chocolate.

Stir until glossy and smooth.

Add a pat of butter for extra richness.

Step 8: Assemble Magnificent Cake

Spread peanut butter frosting between cake layers and over the entire cake.

Drizzle warm chocolate ganache over the top, allowing it to beautifully cascade down the sides.

Tips for Rich and Moist Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

• Use exact measurements for flour, cocoa powder, and other dry ingredients to ensure the cake's perfect texture and rise.
• Bring eggs and buttermilk to room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more even batter.
• Use hot coffee instead of water to intensify the dark chocolate's rich, deep flavor profile.
• Allow cake layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a clean, professional-looking finish.
• Let chocolate ganache cool slightly before pouring to achieve the ideal dripping consistency on the cake.

Variations to Elevate Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

• Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring a similar texture and rich flavor profile.
• Vegan Chocolate Delight: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of butter, and select dairy-free milk and dark chocolate for a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Chocolate Cake: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall calorie content while maintaining sweet taste.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, replace butter with dairy-free margarine, and select non-dairy milk for a lighter, allergy-friendly cake.

Serving Suggestions for Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

• Decadent Dessert Pairing: Serve with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to complement the rich chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
• Elegant Presentation Twist: Garnish each slice with chopped roasted peanuts and a light drizzle of caramel sauce for added texture and visual appeal.
• Coffee Companion: Pair with a hot espresso or dark roast coffee to balance the cake's sweetness and enhance the deep chocolate notes.
• Celebration Centerpiece: Perfect for birthday parties, special occasions, or as a luxurious weekend treat that will impress family and friends.

Storing Advice for Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

• Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
• Wrap the entire unfrosted cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.
• Individually wrap cake slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for quick single-serving treats up to 2 months.
• Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. For a warm slice, microwave each piece for 10-15 seconds on low power to maintain moisture.

FAQs

• Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?

Dark chocolate provides a richer flavor that complements the peanut butter better. Milk chocolate will make the cake sweeter and less intense, potentially altering the intended taste profile.

• Is buttermilk necessary for this recipe?

Buttermilk helps create a moist, tender cake texture. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.

• How do I prevent the cake from being dry?

Avoid overbaking by checking the cake’s doneness with a toothpick around 30 minutes. The toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sinful dark chocolate peanut butter cake delights dessert enthusiasts with rich layers of intense flavor. Chocolate and peanut butter create a perfect harmony that satisfies sweet cravings while offering pure indulgence you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Cake Dry Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (75 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder (dark or Dutch-processed)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5 milliliters) baking soda
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) salt
• 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar

Cake Wet Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) vanilla extract

Liquid Ingredient:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) hot water (or hot coffee for deeper flavor)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly coat two 9-inch round cake pans with non-stick spray or butter.
2. Sift together the dry ingredients – flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt – ensuring no lumps remain.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine sugar, eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture becomes uniform and silky.
4. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just incorporated. Carefully blend in hot water or coffee to enhance the chocolate depth.
5. Evenly distribute the batter between the prepared pans, creating smooth surfaces. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges clean.
6. Allow cake layers to cool completely on a wire rack, which prevents condensation and maintains texture.
7. Prepare the peanut butter frosting by creaming together peanut butter and butter until light and fluffy. Incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Adjust consistency with heavy cream.
8. Create the dark chocolate ganache by heating cream and pouring over finely chopped chocolate. Whisk until glossy, then incorporate butter for richness.
9. Assemble the cake by spreading peanut butter frosting between layers and over the entire surface. Drizzle warm ganache across the top, allowing it to cascade elegantly down the sides.

Notes

• Swap buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for a vegan version.
• Use natural unsweetened cocoa powder for a deeper, more intense chocolate flavor that balances the sweet peanut butter frosting.
• Add a pinch of espresso powder to the dry ingredients to enhance the chocolate’s richness without adding a coffee taste.
• For a gluten-free adaptation, replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the cake’s tender texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 295 kcal
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg