Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake

So, I'm here to help you with your New Year's resolution.
You know...the one where you eat more cake in 2012.
You did make that resolution, right?
 Because, more cake = more happiness. :0)
(I think I should put that on a T-shirt.)


This scrumptious cake was inspired by my daughter, when she sang me this little ditty:  

A peanut sat on a railroad track,
His heart was all a-flutter.
The five-fifteen came rushing by--
Toot toot!
Peanut butter!

Which, of course, made me think of peanut butter frosting...
and how long it has been since I made some...
and how I love it so much that I could eat it by the spoonful...
which inspired me to make this cake.



Moist chocolate cake,
creamy peanut butter frosting,
chunks of Reese's peanut butter cups,
all covered with chocolate/peanut butter ganache...

It's like a party in your mouth!



Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake 
by Bird On A Cake

Ingredients
    Chocolate Cake
    • 1 cup boiling water
    • 2 cups sugar
    • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
    • 2 teaspoons baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 cup buttermilk (OR 1 c. milk mixed with 1 T. vinegar)
    • 1/2 cup oil
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Peanut Butter Frosting
    • 1 cup salted butter (softened)
    • 2 cups creamy peanut butter
    • 4 cups confectioners' sugar
    • approx. 1/3 cup milk

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache
    adapted from Smitten Kitchen
    • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 4 tablespoons peanut butter
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 4 tablespoons light corn syrup
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
    Chocolate Cake
    Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottoms of three 8 inch round cake pans with wax paper; grease the sides of the pans. Bring a small pan of water to a boil and keep it simmering while you mix the other ingredients.
    In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Beat with mixer until combined.
    Add 1 cup of the boiling water and carefully stir until it is mixed in. Beat for 1 1/2 minutes with mixer. Batter will be thin. Pour the batter into prepared pans and bake for 18-22 minutes (until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean).

    Peanut Butter Frosting
    In a medium bowl, beat the butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add the sugar. When it starts to get thick, add the milk a little at a time until frosting is spreadable. (The amount of milk you use depends on the thickness of your peanut butter.) Beat for 3 minutes or until fluffy.

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache
    Place the chocolate chips and peanut butter in a metal bowl. Heat cream over medium heat. Watch it closely and immediately remove from heat when it starts to boil. Pour over chocolate chips and peanut butter. Let sit for 2 minutes. Slowly stir the mixture until all the chips have completely melted and it is thoroughly combined. Stir in the vanilla and corn syrup. Let the ganache cool if you prefer a thicker consistency.



    Assembling your cake:
    You need one 12 oz. bag of Reese's miniatures. Eat 2 peanut butter cups, save 12 to garnish the top of the cake, and chop up the rest. Level your cake layers and place one on a cake stand. Spread peanut butter frosting on the first cake layer, then sprinkle half of the chopped Reese's on top. Press them down into the frosting with your spatula. Repeat with the second cake layer. Place your third cake layer on top, then cover the whole cake with peanut butter frosting. Pour ganache on the top of the cake, and smooth it with a spatula. Garnish the cake top with your remaining 12 Reese's minis.
    Powered by Recipage


    This cake is very rich and so delicious...
    Enjoy!

     I share my recipes & tutorials at these fun link parties.

    73 comments:

    1. Your cake looks wonderful! I need to try it, maybe with those fun new mini reeses. Thanks for sharing! Tiffany@Vintage Marigold

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    2. Oh my yumminess! I am pinning this!

      I am having a Feature Friday Linky Party and would love for you to link this up.

      http://blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com/2012/01/feature-friday-linky-party.html

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    3. That is my kind of resolution. Why do you always tempt me so much. I am definitely saving this recipe!

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    4. WOW!!! (wiping drool off the computer keyboard) this looks absolutely amazing. I was just sitting here thinking about my son's upcoming Bday. Every year he wants the same thing ... peanut butter pie. Don't get me wrong, I love me some peanut butter pie, but I was hoping to do something a little different, even special for him this year and *POOF* up comes your post on my Google Reader. Clearly this is a sign. :D

      I'm going to show this to my son in the morning, and after I wipe his drool off my computer keyboard, I'm definitely printing out the recipe. Thank you SO MUCH for the inspiration!

      Hugs,
      Snoopy :D

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    5. Oh, wow. I am kind of speechless. That looks absolutely positively delicious!

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    6. *Whimper* That cake looks maddeningly delicious. I'd love for you to join my linky, Crazy Sweet Tuesday, sometime. (The linky runs through Friday.) Have a great weekend! :)

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    7. These look amazing! My favorite treat is chocolate and peanut butter! Thank you for linking up to my party!

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    8. How good does this cake look? This has my sister in love's name all over it!

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    9. New follower! And oh my gosh, that looks amazing. My husband is a sucker for anything peanut butter + chocolate.

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    10. Wow thanks for derailing diet plans this looks amazing. I'm coming over from TT&J

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    11. This looks absolutely delicious! I am such a sucker for Reese's anything . . . and this is making me drool! :) We would love to have you come share this at our link party that we have every Saturday!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
      Camille @
      SixSistersStuff.com
      PS I am pinning this cake so that I can remember it when I am craving peanut butter and chocolate!

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    12. Oh My! I would love it if your shared this with my new blog hop:

      http://juliejewels1.blogspot.com/2012/01/show-your-stuff-5.html

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    13. My oldest son's birthday is tomorrow and I think I will make this and Surprise him with it. He usually gets just a cake. Everyone in my family likes peanut butter cups and I think this cake will be a big hit! Thank you!!!

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    14. Yum!!! That looks wonderful!! I'll have to make it :) xx

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    15. OMG, all those PB cups would make for one awesome cake. I have a sweet treat linky party going on at my blog till Monday night and I'd love it if you'd come by and link your cake up. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2012/01/sweets-for-saturday-51.html

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    16. This has my two favorite ingredients....peanut butter and chocolate! YUM!!!

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    17. Wow! Yes please!!! This looks heavenly!

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    18. Hi Robin! Just a quick note to let you know that I am featuring your yummy cake at my Friday link party. It is up right now if you want to pop by and grab a featured button :) Hope that you link up again!

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    19. I just made this cake...it doesn't look nearly as pretty as yours does but I can't wait to eat it!!! :) Thanks so much for sharing your recipes! I found you through Pinterest, and plan to be a regular reader!

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    20. I made this cake this past weekend for a family gathering. They loved it!!!! More of this cake was eaten than the must have red velvet that is made at every gathering!!!! That speaks volumes for this cake!!!!!!
      Thanks for the great recipe!!! Because of you, my family thinks I'm wonderful!!!!!

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    21. Hi Robin, wow, this cake is absolutely decadent and on top of that, fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing it. My grandson's name is Rhys so perhaps he should have this cake for his next birthday. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
      http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/

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    22. Would this recipe do fine in two 9-inch cake pans? Would you bake it longer?

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      Replies
      1. Absolutely! I would expect it to take a little longer to bake. Check the cake after 20 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center, and if it comes out clean the cake is done. If there are moist crumbs on the toothpick, bake 2-3 more minutes and check again. Enjoy! :0)

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    23. I'm seeing amazing cake, after amazing cake..I'm thinking I like! And I love your header and the name of your blog :) I'm your newest follower! I've found you over at Susan's blog, The weekly sweet experiment :) I'd love it if you followed me back

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    24. I am attempting this cake this morning and found a problem. I am hoping I corrected it. There was way too much liquid for the cake batter. It didn't look anything like cake batter at all, it was very watery! I ended up adding another cup of flour to the mixture and beating another 3-5 minutes to thicken it up. When I took them out of the oven, they looked and smelled fine. They are now cooling and awaiting the rest. I just thought I'd mention it as there was no way 1 1/4 cup flour and 3/4 cup baking cocoa was enough to absorb the 2 cups of liquid put into the mix.

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    25. typo on my part, I did put 1 3/4 cup flour in the recipe as it states above.

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      Replies
      1. Actually, the recipe is correct. The batter does not look like your typical cake mix batter, it is very thin - like a liquid. I have made it many times and it bakes up wonderfully. Hope you enjoy your cake! :0)

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      2. Really? It was like chocolate water. Hopefully I didn't ruin it. It looks pretty and smells pretty, we will try it out later tonight.

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    26. It looks delicious...... Wonderful decoration and i am sure everyone will like this cake.
      Gifts To Pakistan

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    27. Eat 2 peanut butter cups:Best part of the directions! What a realist! I am making this for my Husband's Birthday, PB & Chocolate are always a hit...

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    28. I just finished making this cake for my son's 3rd birthday. I can't wait to eat it tonight at his party. It looks sooooo delicious!

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    29. By far the best cake I've ever ate!!! I love the peanut butter filling!!! :)

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    30. Amazing! Can't wait to make this for my husbands bday! Thanks for sharing!

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    31. Does the T stand for tablespoon OR teaspoon

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      Replies
      1. T is for tablespoon! I will change it in the recipe. :0)

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    32. mmmm.. the peanut butter frosting is delicious.... best frosting i've ever made yet from the internet.. i bet other frostings on here are just as good.. i will be adding this page to my Favorites.. and sooo simple to make, had everything in my pantry. and that made it ever more simple. as im an hour from the grocery stores ...thanks again for sharing :)

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    33. I am just making the cake now for my husband's birthday. It looks and smells so great! One question, though. Should the ganache be kind of hard? Mine is still in the bowl and has cooled completely and still seems kind of thick but definitely runny. I'm afraid it may drip off the cake. Is this normal or should it be hardening more? Thanks!

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    34. Does this cake need to be refrigerated?

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    35. So excited to make this for my hubby's 31st birthday tomorrow. Thank you for the recipe!!

      iheartfoodandsocanyou.blogspot.com

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    36. How do you get the ganache to be as thick as it appears in the pictures to have the suspended drip look? This peanutbutter buttercream frosting is the best frosting EVER!! It is now our favorite frosting ever! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe..it's excellent!!

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      Replies
      1. The key to the ganache is the temperature. It thickens as it cools, so you just have to wait long enough. I'm glad you enjoy the recipe! :)

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      2. Is there a "perfect" tempature you recommend? I have a digiti thermometer and don't want to mess this up for my hubby's b-day! This is his wife (although it's posting as him lol)

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      3. I honestly don't know the temperature, because I don't use a candy thermometer! I just let it sit on the counter until it is the right consistency...when you can still pour it, but it isn't runny. It usually needs to cool for at least an hour. If you let it get too thick, you can always microwave it for a few seconds.

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    37. OMG... I can't wait to try this!

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    38. I am making this tomorrow for my hubby's birthday. I can't wait to taste it. The only bummer is that I forgot the reeses cups because they are not written in the recipe ingredients :( I have to make another trip to the store.

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    39. I finished making this and OH MY! It is AH-mazing! The pb frosting is delicious! It was the first time I have ever made ganache. I let it sit quite a while before pouring. It was just perfect. I served it chilled and it made it even better. It is rich, so each person only needed a tiny slice. This is definitely a new family favorite! Thanks for sharing this delightfully delicious recipe! It made me want to find a way to make a cupcake version :)

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    40. Will this work if I half the recipe and just use two 8 inch round pans?

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    41. Hi Robin! Just found your website via Pinterest, and so happy I did!! I'm your newest GFC follower and I'm sure I'll visit often :)

      Paula
      lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com

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    42. Can I use this cake for a german chocolate cake or is there a difference?

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    43. Made this cake to take a party last night, and it was a big hit! My husband took the little bit that was left to work for his coworkers to eat, and it didn't last long. I've even been asked for the recipe!

      I was skeptical of the mixing order at first (not creaming butter and sugar, etc) and of the runny-looking batter that some others posted about, but I followed directions, and it turned out great! I will definitely be making this cake again!

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    44. I have to say this is our families new Favorite cake! My husband was the first recipient for his Birthday last year. Then my son in law asked for it for his grooms cake for my daughters wedding. (He's lucky I love him;0) so here I am making it again for my husband's birthday again! Thanks for a fabulous cake!

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      Replies
      1. This cake continues to be a Family Favorite! I've had many requests for this cake. I'm taking it on a plane to surprise my mother for her 84th Birthday! I hope it will travel well!

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    45. Oh, this is SO happening in my house this weekend! Om nom nom!!!

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    46. owwwwwww!!! great !!! This is the first time I visited this blog. Really this is impressive work . If you want to know more click here

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    47. I have never tasted anything like that PB frosting! It is so good. I have not tasted the cake yet tho. I can't imagine how many calories!!

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    48. What kind of peanut butter do you use? Natural or the regular kind?

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    49. This was soooo delicious! I wanted to share a link to my blog of the cake I made. Thank you so much for sharing this with your readers!
      http://debbiedee.blogspot.com/2013/10/pinned-it-made-it-monday.html

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    50. I made this cake for my uncle's birthday (he's a Reese's fiend) and it turned out wonderfully! It was a total hit with my family. Thank you so much!

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    51. I made this cake for husband's birthday, and WOW, it was amazing! Thanks for a great recipe!

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    52. When I was a little girl we sang...... A peanut sat upon a track, his heart was full of flutter. Around the bend came number 10, choo choo peanut butter. Thank you for the memories. I can't wait to try your cake. Looks so good.

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    53. Not sure if my question went through. Would natural peanut butter work okay or do you recommend the regular kind?

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      Replies
      1. I have only used regular peanut butter for this recipe. I know that natural peanut butter tends to separate, so I'm not sure how it would turn out...I hesitate to recommend it. But you could try it out and let me know how it works! :)

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      2. I have used Jif Natural PB. I was also fearful to use the real deal natural stuff! I've made this cake many times!

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    54. I just made this as trial cake before my son's birthday party and forgot to put vanilla in. Oi. Hope it still.comes out.

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    55. Made this for the Groom's Cake for my daughter's wedding...it is now one of the most requested cakes by my family!

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    56. Does this cake require refrigeration or would it be okay if left out for 2-3 days?

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    57. i think i died and went to choco peanut butter heaven after i made this one :) it's was amazing!

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    58. This looks wonderful! How well do you think it will hold up for traveling? And does it need to be kept at a certain temperature?

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    59. My original comment was in 2012. I’ve made this cake many times including multiple birthdays and my son in law requested this as his grooms cake! Always a hit a tried and true family favorite!

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    Your comments put a great BIG smile on my face!! Thanks for stopping by! :0)

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