Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake: The Ultimate Indulgence

Ingredients:Cake batter

• All-purpose flour – 220g
• Dutch processed cocoa powder – 30g
• Sugar – 250g
• Unsalted butter – 250g
• Room temperature eggs – 4
• Buttermilk – 4 tbsp
• Baking powder – 1 tsp
• Baking soda – 1 tsp
• Vanilla – 2 tsp
• Salt a pinch

Ingredients:Peanut butter frosting

• Creamy peanut butter – 250g
• Unsalted butter – 200g
• Icing sugar – 230g
• Vanilla – 1 tsp

Ingredients:Decoration

• Crushed peanuts

How to Bake Your Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake:

Step 1: Prepare the Chocolate Cake

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease and flour an 8-inch round baking tray, or line it with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, Dutch processed cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.
• Stir in the vanilla extract.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
• Finally, gently fold in the buttermilk until the batter is smooth.
• Pour the cake batter evenly into your prepared 8-inch round baking tray.
• Bake for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
• Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.

Step 2: Make the Delicious Peanut Butter Frosting

• In a clean mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and creamy peanut butter until the mixture is light and creamy.
• Stir in the vanilla extract.
• Gradually add the icing sugar, beating on low speed until incorporated, then increase the speed and beat until the frosting is smooth and reaches your desired light and fluffy consistency.

Step 3: Assemble and Decorate Your Cake

• Once the chocolate cake has cooled completely, carefully divide it horizontally into two even layers using a serrated knife.
• Place one cake layer on your serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous amount of the prepared peanut butter frosting evenly over this layer.
• Carefully place the second cake layer on top.
• Cover the entire cake with the remaining peanut butter frosting, decorating as desired.
• For the perfect finishing touch, sprinkle crushed peanuts over the top of the frosted cake.

Now, all that's left to do is slice, serve, and enjoy this spectacular peanut butter chocolate cake! It's guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering or as a special treat for yourself.