Peanut Butter Cake: The Ultimate Recipe for a Moist & Rich Treat

Welcome to the only peanut butter cake recipe you will ever need. If you’ve been searching for a cake that is deeply nutty, incredibly moist, and topped with the creamiest peanut butter frosting imaginable, you’ve found it. This isn’t just a cake; it’s a celebration of peanut butter in its most glorious dessert form. We’ve tested and tweaked this recipe to ensure it’s foolproof for the enthusiastic home cook, guaranteeing a perfect result every single time. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this showstopper.

Whether it’s for a birthday, a special occasion, or just a Tuesday craving, this homemade peanut butter cake delivers pure comfort and joy. It strikes the perfect balance between a tender, fluffy crumb and a rich, decadent flavor that isn’t overly sweet. It’s the kind of dessert that creates memories. For another crowd-pleasing dessert, you should try these incredible caramel cheesecake cookies (coming soon).

Why This is the Best Peanut Butter Cake Recipe You’ll Ever Make

There are countless recipes out there, but this one truly stands out. Here’s why this will become your go-to peanut butter cake:

• Unbelievably Moist Crumb: We use a combination of buttermilk and oil to create a cake that stays tender and moist for days. No more dry, crumbly cakes!
• Intense Peanut Butter Flavor: This recipe uses a generous amount of creamy peanut butter in both the cake and the frosting, ensuring a rich, authentic nutty flavor in every single bite.
• Perfectly Balanced Sweetness: The frosting is sweet and luscious without being cloying, complementing the cake perfectly rather than overpowering it.
• Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You won’t need to hunt for any specialty ingredients. Everything required is likely already in your pantry or easily found at your local grocery store.

The Key Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather your ingredients. Using room temperature ingredients, especially for the butter, eggs, and buttermilk, is crucial for a smooth batter and a tender cake.

For the Peanut Butter Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our cake.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These are our leavening agents that give the cake its beautiful lift.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
• Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: Use a standard commercial brand like Jif or Skippy for the best results. Avoid natural peanut butter that separates, as it can alter the texture.
• Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: A combination of both provides moisture and a deeper flavor profile.
• Eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate better into the batter.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla extract elevates the flavor.
• Vegetable Oil: Our secret weapon for a super moist cake.
• Buttermilk: The acidity in buttermilk helps to create a soft, tender crumb.

For the Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting

• Unsalted Butter: Again, make sure it’s softened.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: The star of the show!
• Powdered Sugar: Sift it to avoid any lumps in your frosting.
• Heavy Cream: Helps to create a light, whippable, and creamy texture.
• Vanilla Extract & Salt: For that final flavor boost.

How to Make the Perfect Peanut Butter Cake (Step-by-Step)

Follow these simple steps to create a dessert masterpiece. We’ll walk through making the cake, whipping up the frosting, and assembling it all beautifully.

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract and vegetable oil.
5. Alternate Wet and Dry: With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk in two additions, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined—do not overmix!

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Step 2: Baking to Perfection

1. Pour and Bake: Divide the batter evenly between your prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.
2. Check for Doneness: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
3. Cool Completely: Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 15 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. It’s essential the cakes are not warm when you frost them.

Step 3: Making the Irresistible Frosting

1. Beat Butter and Peanut Butter: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and creamy peanut butter with an electric mixer until smooth and combined.
2. Add Sugar and Cream: Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, alternating with the heavy cream, and beat on low speed. Once incorporated, add the vanilla and a pinch of salt.
3. Whip Until Fluffy: Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for 3-5 minutes until the frosting is light, airy, and perfectly smooth.

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Step 4: Assembling Your Masterpiece

1. First Layer: Place one of the cooled cake layers on your serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of peanut butter frosting evenly over the top, right to the edges.
2. Second Layer: Carefully place the second cake layer on top.
3. Frost the Cake: Apply a thin layer of frosting all over the cake (the “crumb coat”) and refrigerate for 20 minutes to set. This traps any loose crumbs.
4. Final Coat: Cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting, using an offset spatula to create smooth or decorative swirls. You can garnish with chopped peanuts or chocolate shavings if desired.

Pro Tips for a Flawless Cake

• Properly Measure Flour: Spoon your flour into the measuring cup and level it off. Don’t scoop directly from the bag, as this compacts the flour and can lead to a dry cake.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter after adding the flour will develop the gluten and result in a tough, dense cake. Mix just until the flour streaks disappear.
• Room Temperature is Key: Using room temperature ingredients helps them emulsify, creating a smoother batter and a more uniform texture in the final cake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your New Favorite Dessert Awaits!

This Peanut Butter Cake is more than just a recipe; it’s a guaranteed hit for any gathering. The rich flavor and tender crumb make it an unforgettable treat that you’ll be proud to share. We can’t wait for you to try it! If you bake this cake, we would love for you to share your creation and tag us on Pinterest! Your feedback and shares help our community grow.

Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

Peanut Butter Cake: The Ultimate Recipe for a Moist & Rich Treat

The ultimate Peanut Butter Cake recipe! This foolproof guide delivers an incredibly moist and tender cake with a rich, creamy peanut butter frosting. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any day that needs a sweet treat.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 12 slices

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 650

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Peanut Butter Cake

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter do not use natural style
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3 large eggs at room temperature
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 0.25 cup vegetable oil
• 1.25 cups buttermilk at room temperature

For the Peanut Butter Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
• 1.5 cups creamy peanut butter
• 3.5 cups powdered sugar sifted
• 0.5 cup heavy cream as needed
• 1.5 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 0.25 tsp salt

Equipment

• 2 9-inch round cake pans
• 1 Stand mixer or electric hand mixer
• 1 Wire Cooling Rack

Method

 

For the Peanut Butter Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract and oil.
5. On low speed, add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk in two parts, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix only until just combined.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let cakes cool in the pans for 15 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Peanut Butter Frosting & Assembly

1. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer until smooth.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the heavy cream. Add the vanilla and salt. Beat on medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
3. Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate. Spread about 1.5 cups of frosting over the top.
4. Add the second layer on top. Cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.

Notes

Tip 1: For best results, use a standard commercial creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butter can cause the texture of the cake and frosting to be grainy or oily.
Tip 2: Ensure all your refrigerated ingredients (butter, eggs, buttermilk) are at room temperature before you begin. This helps the batter mix together smoothly and results in a more tender cake.
Tip 3: Do not overbake the cakes! Check for doneness at the 30-minute mark to ensure a moist crumb.