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An easy two-layer dark chocolate cake covered in creamy, dreamy peanut butter frosting, all from scratch!
While Valentine’s Day may already be behind us, I think the whole month of February, or at least the remainder of this week, deserves to pump out some extra love, don’t you agree?
And since we’re already into the second month of 2017, I owe you another Cake of The Month.
All that said, I thought it would be incredibly appropriate to bring you a chocolate peanut butter number because I’m pretty sure it’s been scientifically proven by tastebuds around the world that chocolate + peanut butter is the ultimate flavor combo and if flavors were people, this couple would be the “it” one and super in love.
So… Post-Valentine’s Day Cake of The Month, comin’ atcha nice and sweet.
I’ve been having a lot of fun planning out this year’s cake recipes, and while I do have a chocolate layer cake on the blog already, this dark chocolate layer cake is a little different from that, though very similar.
I want to show you how not every chocolate cake is created equal (just like not every chocolate chip cookie is either), and how changing up just a few things in your ingredient list can yield not only a different flavor, but also a different texture and density.
To change things up for this dark chocolate cake while using my classic chocolate cake recipe as a guide, I wanted to create a deeper, darker, less sweet flavor without sacrificing any moisture. So I opted for half granulated and half brown sugar rather than straight up granulated.
The result is a super moist chocolate cake, with deep chocolate flavor.
This sugar blend brings some extra moisture to the crumb while also giving the dark chocolate of the Dutch processed cocoa powder (rather than unsweetened cocoa powder) some deeper molassesy notes.
I also completely cut out the buttermilk and opted for doubling the amount of eggs to 4. More eggs = denser texture = heavier, sturdier cake to complement the dark chocolate essence I was aiming for.
Now. The most important player here in this cake game: peanut butter buttercream. BELIEVE ME when I tell you that this frosting is a little gift from the cake gods.
It is absolutely irresistible, and I can tell you from experience that you may find yourself with several dirty spoons and way less frosting than you thought you had once you have one lick of this stuff.
To say it’s incredible is somehow an understatement. And the best part? It’s so freaking simple.
Butter, creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, a touch of vanilla, and some milk/cream/water. I’ve been making this peanut butter frosting for years and it never disappoints. Try it on pretzels, graham crackers, a yellow cake, brownies…
Truly anything that pairs well with peanut butter can use some peanut butter buttercream on top. No judgment if it never sees anything other than your dark chocolate cake and a spoon, though.
This cake was a request by my manager at work for her birthday, and it certainly did not disappoint. I shared this cake with several coworkers over the course of a couple days, and there may or may not have been elbow shoves over the last few slivers.
Of course, no dark chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting is complete without a generous sprinkle of chopped peanut butter cups, so while you’re at it, toss some into the smear of frosting between the two cake layers.
Deep, dark, moist chocolate cake paired with a sweet and creamy peanut butter frosting is just what your Friday needs. I’m thinking this is the perfect way to round out Valentine’s Day week, and adding this cake to your baking arsenal is the best way to spread some love all around!
JOIN MY ONLINE COURSE TO LEARN HOW TO ASSEMBLE AND DECORATE YOUR NEXT CAKE
There is only so much I can type out or show you in pictures when it comes to really learning how to make a beautiful stacked cake. If you’re a beginner cake decorator, I urge you to check out my e-course where I have a step-by-step class all about how to assemble and decorate a cake with basic decorations.
Dark Chocolate Layer Cake
Ingredients
DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour be sure to measure properly
- 3/4 cup Dutch processed cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup coffee + water to 1 and 1/4 cup liquid*
PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING
- 1 and 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup milk, cream, or water
Instructions
DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour (or use homemade cake release) two 8-inch round cake pans. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until completely combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, add the coffee, and whisk or stir the batter until everything is combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 28-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out mostly clean. Remove from oven and allow cakes to cool in the pans completely on a wire rack before removing and assembling.
PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING
- In a medium size bowl with a handheld mixer or in the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and peanut butter on medium speed until smooth (about 3 minutes).
- Decrease mixer speed to low. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk/cream/water. Increase mixer speed to to high and beat until completely combined (approximately 2-3 minutes). If frosting is too thick, add more liquid to desired consistency.
- For more buttercream troubleshooting tips, see my book, The Home Baker's Guide to Basic Buttercream.
ASSEMBLE THE CAKE
- Trim cooled cake layers to create a flat surface. You can do this with a large serrated knife or a cake leveler. Place one layer on a plate or cake stand and cover the top with peanut butter frosting. Spread evenly with an offset spatula. Sprinkle with chopped peanut butter cups, if desired.
- Place second layer on top, cut surface down. For a sturdier cake, refrigerate at this point for about 10 minutes. When cake is slightly chilled, remove from refrigerator and spread more frosting on the top and around the sides. Decorate with more chopped peanut butter cups, if desired. Serve. Leftovers stay fresh, covered tightly, at room temperature up to 5 days and in the refrigerator up to 1 week.
- Make ahead: prepare cakes and frosting up to 1 day in advance. Cover cakes tightly and keep at room temperature or in the refrigerator until ready to assemble. Refrigerate prepared frosting in an airtight container until ready to use. Unfrosted cake layers may be frozen, wrapped tightly, up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before assembling. Frosted cake can be frozen, wrapped tightly, up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.
Lynn, you’re my favourite ๐
This cake is PER-FECTION! I love the denser crumb, the molasses-y notes, the creamy PB frosting. I think I’ll be passing along this recipe to my sister for my birthday cake this year…
PB and Chocolate are always the way to this girl’s heart! My favourite couple ever. Bey and Jay Z wish they were this cool ๐
Hahahaha, you are a goofball, Amy! I think this would be the perfect cake to make for your birthday!
I made this amazing cake for my birthday on Saturday, and it was so delicious! The pb buttercream is the best! Thanks for a wonderful recipe!
Frosting came out very think. It was difficult to spread.
Hi there! I’m sorry to hear you thought the frosting was too thick. I state in the instructions to add more liquid if it’s too thick, which is always the case if you think a recipe’s frosting is not the consistency you’d like it to be.
Thx. I totally missed that the first time. It tastes great and I will definitely be making it again… With a bit more milk. Thanks again. โบ
im just not sure about the coffee amount. it says 1 cup coffeee but then it says to 1 1/4 liquid im confused. am i adding 1 cup of coffee and water to that amount of liquid, and liquid what? or is that just add 1 cup coffee to 1 1/4 cup water?
Brew your coffee and measure it. Add water to make the total liquid amount 1 and 1/4 cup.
Hi! Can I omit the coffee for just all water? Im making this for a person who does not want coffee ๐
Of course, Natalia! Enjoy!
I made this cake for my daughter’s birthday. It was the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter. The frosting is so good. It has a ton of flavor but isn’t too sweet. I received a ton of compliments. We will definitely be making this one again!
Awesome, Jen! Thanks so much!