Chocolate And Espresso Layer Cake With Peanut Butter Icing Recipes

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) and prepare three 8 inch cake pans with non-stick baking spray and parchment paper in the bottom. 2
• . Add the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt to a large mixer bowl and combine. Set aside.
• . Add the milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and eggs to a medium sized bowl and combine.
• . Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and beat until well combined.
• . Slowly add the hot water to the batter and mix on low speed until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure everything is well combined.
• . Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
• . Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
• . To make the frosting, combine the butter and peanut butter in a large mixer bowl and mix until well combined.
• . Add about half of the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
• 0. Add 3 tablespoons of water or milk and mix until smooth.
• 1. Add remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
• 2. Add remaining water or milk and mix until smooth, keeping an eye on the consistency of the frosting so it doesn't get too thin. 13
• To build the cake, use a large serrated knife to remove the tops of the cake layers so that they're flat. See my tips on how to level a cake and how to stack a cake. 14. Pl
• ce the first cake layer on a serving plate or cardboard cake circle and top with about 1 cup of frosting. Smooth frosting into an even layer. 15. Ad
• about half of the chopped Reese's on top of the frosting and press into the frosting. Spread a small amount of frosting on top of the Reese's so that it's sticky on top for the next cake layer. 16. Add the
• ext cake layer and top with about 1 cup of frosting. Smooth frosting into an even layer. 17. Add rema
• ning half of the chopped Reese's on top of the frosting and press into the frosting. Spread a small amount of frosting on top of the Reese's so that it's sticky on top for the next cake layer. 18. Add the final
• ake layer to the top of the cake. 19. Smooth out the
• frosting on the sides of the cake, creating a thin crumb coat. 20. Add about 1 cu
• of frosting to the top of the cake and smooth into an even layer. 21. Frost the cake
• using my tutorial for a smooth cake. Stop just before using the paper towel, which won't be necessary with the pattern on the sides of this cake. 22. Use an offset spa
• ula to create the stripes around the cake. For guidance, see the video above starting at about 1:40. 22. Set the cake asid
• and make the chocolate ganache (see my tips for making chocolate ganache). Put the chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl. 23. Microwave the hea
• y whipping cream until it just begins to boil, then pour it over the chocolate chips. Allow it to sit for 2-3 minutes, then whisk until smooth. 24. Use a squeeze bot
• le or a spoon to drizzle the chocolate around the edges of the cake, then fill in the top of the cake and smooth it with an offset spatula. See my tips for making a chocolate drip cake. 25. Allow the ganache
• to firm a bit, about 10 minutes, then top with remaining frosting, additional Reese's chopped in half, and Reese's crumbles. 26. Refrigerate the cake
• ntil ready to serve. Serve at room temperature. Cake is best for 3-4 days.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

Steps:

• With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, and milk. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then add the peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt. Beat on medium-high speed for 2 minutes until combined. Add 1/4 cup more confectioners' sugar if frosting is too thin or another 1-2 Tablespoons of cream/milk if frosting is too thick. Taste. Add a spoonful of extra peanut butter or a pinch of salt if desired.
• Frost your cake, cupcake, or confection however you'd like. In the pictured cupcakes, I piped a basic tall swirl using (affiliate link) Ateco 849 piping tip.
• Use immediately or cover tightly and store for up to 1 week in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer. After freezing, thaw in the refrigerator then beat the frosting on medium speed for a few seconds so it's creamy again. After thawing or refrigerating, beating in a splash of heavy cream or milk will help thin the frosting out again, if needed.

PEANUT BUTTER LAYER CAKE WITH PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cake: Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans, and line the bottom of each with a round piece of parchment. Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda together onto a piece of parchment or into a large bowl.
• Beat the butter, brown sugar, peanut butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and creamy, about 5 minutes. Scrape down the side of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until the mixture is light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to medium-low, and add the flour mixture in 3 additions and the milk in 2 additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Beat until just combined.
• Evenly divide the batter among the prepared cake pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for a few minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. Invert each onto a cooling rack, and remove the parchment. (The cakes can be stored at room temperature, wrapped in plastic wrap, for 1 day.)
• For the buttercream: Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a saucepan large enough to hold the heatproof bowl of a stand mixer above the water.
• Whisk together the granulated sugar, egg whites and salt in the stand mixer bowl. Set the bowl above the boiling water, and whisk until the mixture is warm to the touch and the sugar has completely dissolved. Transfer the bowl to the stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat at medium-high speed until cool and the whites hold stiff peaks, about 5 minutes. Beat in 3/4 cup of the peanut butter until smooth. Beat in a couple of chunks of butter at a time, making sure the pieces are incorporated before adding more. Continue beating on medium-high speed until the buttercream thickens into stiff peaks. (The mixture at some point may appear to be very liquidy, but continue to beat.) Beat in the vanilla.
• To assemble: Slice each cake in half, for a total of 4 cake rounds. Spread the remaining 1/2 cup peanut butter on 3 of the rounds, dividing evenly. Put 1 round, peanut butter-side up, on a cake stand or serving platter, and spread about 3/4 cup of the buttercream on top, leaving about a 1/2-inch border all around. Repeat with 2 more layers of peanut-buttered cake and buttercream. Place the last cake round (without the peanut butter) on top. Frost the outside of the cake with the remaining buttercream. Refrigerate the cake until it sets up (this makes it possible to cut neat slices), at least 4 hours up to overnight. Sprinkle the top with peanut brittle before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

Steps:

• Spray a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• For the cake, put flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl and mix well.
• In a stand mixer, mix the buttermilk, oil, eggs, vanilla together. Slowly add in the mix of dry ingredients while the mixer is on low. Add the coffee and make sure everything is combined. The batter will be very thin.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 30-35 minutes or until the center of the cake springs back when you touch it.
• Allow the cake to cool on a cooling rack. While the cake is cooling, make the frosting
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter and peanut butter for 2 minutes.
• Add 1 cup of powdered sugar and mix until blended.
• Add 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and beat until completely blended.
• Add in the remaining cup of powdered sugar. Beat for 1 minute.
• Test the frosting and if you need another tablespoon or two of heavy cream to make the frosting spreadable, add it in.
• Beat for 2-3 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
• *Add in ½ teaspoon of vanilla if desired.
• Use a spatula to spread the peanut butter frosting on the cooled chocolate cake.
• Sprinkle with chopped candies if desired.

MIDNIGHT DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH PEANUT BUTTER FROSTING

Steps:

• Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Coat two 9 inch round cake pans with butter and place a parchment circle in the bottom of each. Coat the parchment with more butter then coat the inside each buttered pan with a dusting of cocoa powder.
• Add the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a large bowl and whisk to combine. Place the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract in a separate bowl and whisk to combine. Add the buttermilk mixture to flour mixture, then stir with a rubber spatula until smooth. Add the hot coffee and stir until completely smooth. The batter will be very thin. Transfer the batter to the prepared pans and smooth each out into an even layer.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the pans to a wire rack and let cool completely, for at least 1 hour.
• Add butter and peanut butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat until creamy and well-combined.
• With mixer on low speed, gradually add powdered sugar (about 1/3 cup at a time) until completely combined. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl so all ingredients are well incorporated.
• Stir in vanilla extract and salt.
• With mixer on low-speed, add milk and mix until well-combined. Gradually increase speed to high and beat for 30 seconds.
• Once cakes are cooled, remove them from the pans and discard the parchment paper. Trim the top of each so they are flat. Place a dollop of frosting on the bottom of your cake plate or cardboard cake round (to help secure cake) and flip one cake over and gently transfer it to the cake plate on top of frosting. The bottom of the cake should now be on top.
• Generously coat the top of the cake with frosting then add second cake layer with the bottom facing up. Coat the outside of the cake with a very thin crumb coat and refrigerate for at least an hour to set the crumb coat.
• Once crumb coat is set, frost the cake evenly with the remainder of the frosting. To create a swoopy finish, use the back of an offset spatula or spoon to gently press down as you swoop frosting in an "S" motion, pulling spatula or spoon away quickly to create little "peaks". Add espresso or chocolate chips to the bottom of the cake by gently pressing them into the sides by hand.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Place butter in the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a large bowl and an electric mixer) and beat on low-speed until creamy and smooth. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Add 2 cups (250g) of powdered sugar, cocoa power, vanilla extract, ⅛ teaspoon salt, and 3 Tablespoons of heavy cream and turn mixer to low speed. Stir until well-combined,
• Gradually (with mixer on low-speed) add remaining powdered sugar. The icing may appear pretty dry, this is OK.
• Add remaining heavy cream or milk, one tablespoon at a time. Start with mixer on low-speed and gradually increase speed to medium-high, beating on this speed for several seconds to whip each Tablespoon of cream into the batter. Add additional tablespoons of cream until a smooth, pipe-able consistency is reached.
• I recommend piping icing over your cupcakes or frosting your cake immediately. See notes in the post on how to store buttercream and use at a later date.

CHOCOLATE AND ESPRESSO LAYER CAKE WITH PEANUT BUTTER ICING

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two 8-inch nonstick cake pans with parchment paper.
• Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, espresso, coconut oil, vanilla and eggs. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add in the wet mixture, whisking until just combined.
• Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake on the center rack until puffed, the sides pull away from the edges and an inserted cake tester comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove the cakes from the oven, immediately cover them with clean kitchen towels and press any domed portions down¿careful, it's hot! (This will help make sure that you don't have to level the cakes.) Allow the cakes to cool in their pans to room temperature. When completely cooled, invert onto plates.
• For the icing: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the cream cheese and butter on medium speed, about 2 minutes. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure everything is evenly mixed. Add the peanut butter and mix on medium speed to combine. Again, turn the mixer off. Mix in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on LOW speed (or else you'll have powdered sugar everywhere!). Add the vanilla and mix once more.
• Transfer the icing to a piping bag. Ice the top of one cake layer, using a circular motion, starting from the outside and gradually moving to the center; do not ice the sides of the cake. Set the second cake layer on top of the first and repeat with the icing; again, do not ice the sides. Drag the back of a spoon in a side-to-side motion across the icing on top to lend a beautifully textured look to the icing.
• Sprinkle the iced cake with the chopped peanuts. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.