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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake: Easy and Decadent

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Chocolate peanut butter cake. This recipe is easy to make and so decadent, with layers of chocolate cake, peanut butter and chocolate ganache.Chocolate peanut butter cake. This recipe is easy to make and so decadent with layers of cake, peanut butter and chocolate ganache.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

My entire family loves chocolate. However, my brother is a chocolate peanut butter fanatic. So, since it was his birthday, while we were at the beach, I made a decadent chocolate peanut butter cake, just for him.

Not that we didn’t all enjoy it. There were 13 of us, and by the next morning only two pieces were left, which were quickly eaten, so I guess they all liked it.

Chocolate peanut butter cake. Box cake layer.

I made it in a glass baking pan, because that was available and easy to do in a beach rental home. You might even call it “semi-homemade” since it starts with a box cake mix. To make the box cake extra moist I added a package of instant pudding.

Chocolate peanut butter cake. Peanut butter filling

The middle layer is a combination of peanut butter and confectioners sugar. I got this idea from buckeye cookies you often see at the holidays.

Chocolate peanut butter cake. Chocolate ganache layer.

The top is a layer of chocolate ganache, made with chocolate chips and heavy cream. You could vary this layer by switching to dark chocolate, white or milk chocolate. 

Chocolate peanut butter cake. Topping with peanut butter cups.

Before the ganache sets up add a few, (or many) mini chocolate peanut butter cups for added texture and yumminess.

Chocolate peanut butter cake.

Perfect for a birthday dinner, and pretty easy to make. Especially when you are not working in your own kitchen. 

More Chocoholic Recipes You May Like:

 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Recipe:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Ingredients

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix
  • 1/2 cup oil
  • 1 1/4 cup water
  • 3 eggs (per package instructions), If your box mix says to use 2 eggs, I'd add a third to the mix.
  • 1 package (3.9 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 2 cups creamy peanut butter
  • 2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 pint heavy cream
  • 1 8 oz. bag mini peanut butter cups

Instructions

  1. Butter a large sheet pan (9 x 13)
  2. Combine the cake mix with the eggs, water, oil, and instant pudding. 
  3. Spread into baking dish and cook for 30-40 mins at 350 degrees. Set aside to cool.
  4. In a large mixing bowl combine peanut butter, sugar and butter.
  5. Once the sheet cake is cool, spread the peanut butter mixture over the top by dropping large spoonfuls all around, making it easier to spread evenly.
  6. Combine chocolate chips and heavy cream on medium heat in a saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly until the cream and chocolate are well combined.
  7. Pour chocolate ganache (chips & cream mixture) over the peanut butter later.
  8. Top with mini chocolate peanut butter cups.
  9. Set in refrigerator to set for 20 mins or more and serve.
Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 768 Total Fat 60g Saturated Fat 22g Trans Fat 1g Unsaturated Fat 32g Cholesterol 133mg Sodium 333mg Carbohydrates 53g Fiber 4g Sugar 39g Protein 15g
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
© Patti Estep

About Patti Estep

Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

 

three red and white striped bag for treats

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pat Schwab

    Patti, This cake looks so delicious. Thanks

    Reply

    • Patti Estep

      Hi Pat,
      It’s so yummy and easy too. I hope you try it.

      Reply

      • Tina Liapis

        Hi Pat,

        The recipe doesn’t specify how many eggs- should I just follow the recipe on the box for the cake mix?

        Thanks,
        Tina L

      • Patti Estep

        Hi Tina,

        You are correct. The box mix I used called for 3 eggs. I would also suggest that if you buy a mix which only calls for two eggs to add an additional egg. Thanks for pointing this issue out. I’ll update the post for clarification.

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