Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake: Easy and Decadent

This chocolate peanut butter cake recipe is easy to make and so decadent, with layers of chocolate cake, Reese's cups, peanut butter, and chocolate ganache.

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.

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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. Or you can use your favorite chocolate cake recipe.

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

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

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

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

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake wit Reese's Cups

Chocolate cake, peanut filling and chocolate ganache. Topped with mini peanut butter cups make for a decadent dessert.

4.42 from 17 votes

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 40 mins

Additional Time 30 mins

Total Time 1 hr 20 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24

Calories 394 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 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 or powdered sugar
• 4 tablespoons butter melted
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 1 8 oz. bag mini reese's peanut butter cups

Instructions

 

• Butter a large sheet pan (9 x 13)
• Combine the cake mix with the eggs, water, oil, and instant pudding. 
• Spread into a baking dish greased with cooking spray.
• Bake in the oven for 30-40 mins at 350 degrees. Set aside to cool.
• In a large bowl combine peanut butter, sugar, and butter on medium speed.
• Once the sheet cake is cool, spread the peanut butter mixture over the top by dropping large spoonfuls all around.
• Then use a spatula to spread the filling in an even layer over the cake layer.
• Combine chocolate chips and heavy cream on medium heat in a saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly until the cream and chocolate are well combined.
• Pour chocolate ganache (chips & cream mixture) over the peanut butter layer.
• Top with mini chocolate peanut butter cups.
• Set in refrigerator to set for 20 mins or more and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 394kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 7gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 223mgFiber: 2gSugar: 22g

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although attempts have been made to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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