Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake Recipe
If you are a peanut butter and chocolate lover, you are in for such a treat with this Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake. This show-stopping dessert perfectly marries rich, moist chocolate layers with a luscious, creamy peanut butter frosting, all crowned with a silky chocolate ganache drip and those iconic mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. It’s a cake that feels like a warm hug from your favorite candy bar but elevated to a celebration-worthy masterpiece anyone can make at home. Trust me, once you taste this, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake will become your new go-to for birthdays, special occasions, or simply whenever you need a bite of happiness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every magical creation starts with simple essentials that pack a punch. For this Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake, each ingredient plays a key role in crafting the perfect balance of flavors and textures — from the tender crumb of the chocolate cake to the silky peanut butter frosting and the smooth ganache topping.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy yet tender base that forms your cake layers.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake evenly and helps create a moist crumb.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Infuses deep chocolate flavor and rich color.
- Baking soda and baking powder: Work together to give your cake the perfect rise and bounce.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Buttermilk: Adds moisture and tenderness with a slight tang that lifts the chocolate taste.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake moist and soft without weighing it down.
- Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the cake layers.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to both cake and frosting.
- Hot water or brewed coffee: Intensifies the chocolate flavor and creates a smooth batter.
- Unsalted butter: The base for the peanut butter frosting, delivering creaminess.
- Creamy peanut butter: Brings that unmistakable Reese’s flavor and creamy texture to the frosting.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to the perfect spreadable consistency.
- Heavy cream or milk: Adjusts frosting texture for silky smoothness.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melt into the silky ganache that drips decadently down the sides.
- Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: The ultimate garnish to celebrate the peanut butter and chocolate love story.
How to Make Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake
Step 1: Prepare Your Cake Pans
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line them with parchment paper. This simple prep ensures your beautifully baked cake layers come out clean and intact.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until everything is evenly combined. This uniform mixture is essential for the even rise and consistent flavor throughout your cake.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Pour in the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix gently just until everything comes together—overmixing can make the cake tough, so keep it tender and light for that perfect crumb.
Step 4: Incorporate the Hot Liquid
Slowly add the hot water or coffee, whisking until the batter is smooth. This will make your batter thin, but that’s exactly what you want to unlock deep chocolate flavors and a moist texture.
Step 5: Bake Your Cake Layers
Divide the batter evenly into your prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, testing doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center. Once it comes out clean, let the cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pans before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Step 6: Make the Peanut Butter Frosting
Beat the softened butter and peanut butter together until creamy and smooth. This is the soul of your Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake—the frosting needs to be rich and fluffy to complement the chocolate layers perfectly.
Step 7: Add Sugar and Liquid
Gradually add powdered sugar in batches, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt, then adjust the consistency with heavy cream or milk. Beat on high for a few minutes until the frosting is light, airy, and ready to spread.
Step 8: Assemble the Cake
Start by placing one cake layer on your serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of peanut butter frosting over it. Top with the second cake layer and apply a thin crumb coat over the entire cake. Chill for 15 minutes to lock that crumb layer in place.
Step 9: Frost the Cake Completely
Once chilled, spread the remaining frosting evenly over the cake’s top and sides. Smooth it out and create gentle swirls for a luscious appearance.
Step 10: Prepare the Chocolate Ganache
Heat the heavy cream until hot but not boiling. Pour it over your semi-sweet chocolate chips and let it sit for a couple of minutes before stirring until glossy and smooth. Let the ganache cool slightly so it thickens but remains pourable.
Step 11: Add the Ganache Drip
Carefully drip the ganache down the edges of the cake using a spoon or squeeze bottle, letting it cascade naturally. Spread some ganache in the center of the top for even more rich chocolate delight.
Step 12: Decorate with Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Arrange mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups around the top edge of your cake to add that classic peanut butter charm. Chill until you’re ready to serve and watch your Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake become the star of the show.
How to Serve Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake
Garnishes
Besides the mini Reese’s cups, consider a light dusting of cocoa powder or chopped roasted peanuts to add texture and visual appeal. Fresh berries can also brighten the plate if you want a fruity contrast to the rich flavors.
Side Dishes
This cake is decadent enough to stand alone, but serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream can elevate the experience to pure indulgence. A hot cup of coffee or milk complements the peanut butter and chocolate flavors perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve individual slices topped with a drizzle of extra peanut butter sauce or ganache. You could even miniaturize the cake into cupcakes with the same layers and decorations for party-friendly servings that pack all the flavor in bite-sized portions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake, wrap leftover slices tightly with plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This keeps the cake moist and the frosting fresh for up to 4-5 days.
Freezing
You can freeze the fully assembled cake or individual slices by wrapping them well in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container. It will keep well for up to 2 months, perfect for saving a piece of this deliciousness for another day.
Reheating
If you prefer your cake slightly warm, thaw frozen slices in the fridge overnight, then bring to room temperature. You can gently warm slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, but avoid overheating to keep the frosting intact.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes! If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar, let it sit for 5 minutes, and use that as a perfect substitute to achieve the tender crumb.
What if I don’t have brewed coffee for the batter?
Hot water is perfectly fine if you’d rather skip coffee. Just make sure it’s hot to help dissolve the cocoa and enhance the chocolate flavor without adding bitterness.
Can I make the peanut butter frosting ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the frosting a day ahead and keep it in the refrigerator. Bring it back to room temperature and give it a quick re-whip before spreading it on the cake.
How do I prevent the ganache drip from running too much?
Let the ganache cool until it’s thick but still pourable before dripping it on the cake. This ensures it creates neat drips instead of running all the way down the sides.
Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, by swapping all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, you can enjoy a gluten-free version of this Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake without sacrificing texture or taste.
Final Thoughts
Making the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake at home is not only rewarding but also an absolute delight for anyone who cherishes the classic peanut butter and chocolate combo. Whether you’re baking for loved ones or just treating yourself, this cake promises smiles, comfort, and a few happy crumbs along the way. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and dive into this deliciously decadent adventure—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
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Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A decadent and moist chocolate cake layered with creamy peanut butter frosting, topped with a smooth chocolate ganache drip and garnished with mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Perfect for peanut butter and chocolate lovers seeking a rich, indulgent dessert.
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water or brewed coffee
Peanut Butter Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar, to desired consistency
- ¼ cup heavy cream or milk, as needed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Chocolate Ganache Drip
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy cream
Garnish
- Approximately 20 mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until fully combined and no clumps remain.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Pour in the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix gently until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
- Add Hot Liquid: Slowly incorporate the hot water or coffee into the batter while whisking continuously until the mixture is smooth. Expect a thinner batter at this stage.
- Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and peanut butter together on medium speed until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Add Sugar and Liquid: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract and salt. Adjust the consistency with cream or milk as needed and then beat on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one cooled cake layer on your serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of peanut butter frosting evenly on top. Place the second cake layer over it and apply a thin crumb coat of frosting over the entire cake to seal in crumbs. Chill the cake for 15 minutes to set this layer.
- Frost the Cake: Apply the remaining frosting evenly over the top and sides of the cake, smoothing with a spatula and swirling the top decoratively if desired.
- Make the Ganache: Heat the heavy cream until hot but not boiling, then pour it over the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a bowl. Let it sit for 2 minutes before stirring gently until completely smooth and glossy. Allow the ganache to cool slightly to thicken.
- Add the Ganache Drip: Using a spoon or squeeze bottle, carefully drizzle the ganache around the edges of the frosted cake so it drips down the sides. Spread some ganache in the center of the top if you like a glossy finish.
- Decorate the Cake: Arrange mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups evenly along the top edge of the cake for a festive and indulgent garnish. Chill the finished cake until ready to serve for best presentation.
Notes
- For a richer chocolate flavor, use brewed coffee instead of hot water in the cake batter.
- Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- The frosting consistency can be adjusted with more or less powdered sugar and cream depending on preference.
- Chilling the cake after the crumb coat ensures cleaner frosting application.
- Store the cake covered in the refrigerator to keep the frosting firm and fresh.
- Bring the cake to room temperature before serving for optimal flavor and softness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of cake)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake, chocolate cake, peanut butter frosting, chocolate ganache, dessert, chocolate peanut butter cake
