Name: Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ cup unsalted butter (softened); ¾ cup creamy peanut butter; 1 cup granulated sugar; ½ cup brown sugar (packed); 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup buttermilk; ½ cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup creamy peanut butter; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ¼ cup heavy cream (more if needed for consistency)

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

If you’re smitten with all things peanut butter, get ready to swoon over this Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe. This cake celebrates peanut butter from the tender, light crumb to the creamy, irresistible frosting. It’s the dessert people hover around at parties and the one you’ll crave after a long week. Whether you’re baking for a special celebration, birthday bash, or just an afternoon pick-me-up, this is the cake you’ll want to share with your favorite people—assuming you can part with a single slice!

Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about this cake is that it leans into real, straightforward pantry staples to give you maximum flavor. Every ingredient plays an important role, bringing out the best peanut butter flavor, soft texture, and beautiful crumb. Here’s how each component makes this Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe so special:

All-purpose flour: Creates the sturdy yet tender base for the cake.
Baking powder & baking soda: The dynamic duo that ensures your cake rises to fluffy perfection.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and wakes up the peanut butter flavor.
Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and moisture; be sure it’s soft for easy mixing.
Creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient, bringing bold peanut flavor to both cake and frosting.
Granulated sugar: Lends structure and that classic cake sweetness.
Brown sugar (packed): Adds a hint of caramel depth and keeps the crumb moist.
Large eggs: Bind everything together and add tenderness.
Vanilla extract: A splash for warmth and aroma in both cake and frosting.
Buttermilk: Gives the cake a subtle tang and keeps it soft and light.
Powdered sugar: The magic behind a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth frosting.
Heavy cream: Adjusts the frosting’s spreadability and adds silkiness.
Optional garnishes (chopped peanuts, melted chocolate): For that picture-perfect finish and a little crunch or drizzle.

How to Make Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pans

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take a moment to grease and flour either a 9×13-inch baking dish or two 8-inch round cake pans, depending on whether you’re going for a single classic cake or a layered beauty. This ensures your cake releases easily, keeping every slice intact.

Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step evenly distributes the leavening agents, so your Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe bakes up uniformly and has a lovely, light crumb.

Step 3: Cream the Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar. Blend until the mixture looks pale, fluffy, and irresistible—this means air is being incorporated, which yields a tender, soft cake.

Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

Crack in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then blend in the vanilla extract. This gradual incorporation ensures a smooth and even batter and that signature cozy, fragrant undertone that sets homemade cake apart.

Step 5: Alternate the Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk

With your mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and finish with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; this keeps your cake tender—no over-mixing here!

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pan(s) and smooth the top. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell heavenly! Let the cake cool completely (patience pays off!) before frosting.

Step 7: Make the Peanut Butter Frosting

In a clean bowl, beat together the softened butter and creamy peanut butter until velvety smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Whip everything together until dreamy and fluffy, adding extra cream in small splashes if needed—the frosting should spread easily but hold its shape.

Step 8: Frost and Garnish

Once the cake is completely cool, swirl on that irresistible peanut butter frosting. For the final touch, sprinkle on chopped peanuts or drizzle with melted chocolate if you’re feeling fancy. Slice and admire your masterpiece!

How to Serve Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

For a polished look, and a hint of crunch, scatter a handful of chopped roasted peanuts over the top of your frosted cake. If you adore a little extra decadence, a drizzle of melted chocolate adds striking contrast and even more dessert magic to your Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe.

Side Dishes

This cake already stars on its own, but for a well-rounded dessert plate, serve slices alongside fresh berries for a pop of color and zing, or pour glasses of cold milk or strong coffee—both pair beautifully with the nutty richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe into a layered celebration cake by doubling the frosting and using two round pans. For parties, try cutting the baked cake into squares and inserting popsicle sticks for adorable cake pops, or layer cubes of cake with frosting in parfait glasses for a stunning (and easy-to-serve) trifle.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover cake keeps best in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen runs warm, you can refrigerate the cake to keep it fresh and moist—just let slices come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Freezing

Absolutely! To freeze, wrap unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then stash in the freezer for up to 2 months. For frosted cake, freeze slices on a sheet tray until firm, then wrap and store. Thaw in the fridge overnight for freshest results.

Reheating

Cakes rarely need reheating, but if you want that fresh-from-the-oven warm feeling, microwave a slice for just 10 seconds. If frozen, let the cake come to room temperature first, then enjoy with a cold glass of milk or coffee.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

You can, but for the best texture and consistency, stick with shelf-stable creamy peanut butter, which prevents the batter and frosting from getting oily or separating.

Is it okay to use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

Absolutely! A hand mixer works great for both the cake batter and the frosting. Just be sure to mix each step thoroughly and scrape down the sides as needed.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute a measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture may be slightly different.

Do I have to use buttermilk?

Buttermilk adds lovely tang and tenderness; if you don’t have any, make a quick substitute by stirring 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar into 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes before using.

How do I know when the cake is fully baked?

A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few crumbs clinging to it—the cake should feel springy and pull away slightly from the edges of the pan.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the smile-inducing magic of a freshly baked Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe. It’s the kind of treat that feels instantly special, whether you’re serving a crowd or just celebrating the simple joys of peanut butter at home. I hope you’ll bake it soon and enjoy every delicious bite!

Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 11 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the rich, nutty flavor of this Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting. This moist and decadent cake is perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to special gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake:

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar (packed)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk

For the Frosting:

½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup heavy cream (more if needed for consistency)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a baking dish or cake pans.
Prepare dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
Make cake batter: Beat butter, peanut butter, sugars until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, then mix in dry ingredients and buttermilk.
Bake: Pour batter into pan(s) and bake for 30–35 minutes until done. Cool before frosting.
Make frosting: Beat butter, peanut butter until smooth. Add sugar, vanilla, cream. Beat until fluffy.
Frost cake: Frost the cooled cake and garnish as desired.