Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe

If your perfect dessert happens to be rich, nutty, and crowned with the silkiest frosting you can imagine, then this Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting will make your heart (and your sweet tooth) sing. Each slice is a celebration of all things peanut butter: a tender, golden cake packed with its unmistakable flavor, topped with a luscious cloud of creamy, dreamy frosting. Whether it’s your first time baking with peanut butter or you already know its magic in desserts, this recipe is pure comfort food that instantly transforms any gathering into a special occasion. Trust me, after one bite, you’ll be sharing this recipe with everyone you know!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather these simple, familiar ingredients and you’re already halfway to peanut buttery bliss! Each one brings something essential to the Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting, from the cake’s tender crumb to that irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth frosting. Here’s what you’ll need and why:

• All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone of the cake, giving it structure and tenderness all at once.
• Baking powder: Lends lift and airiness, ensuring a soft, fluffy cake.
• Baking soda: Adds extra leavening for a lighter texture and height.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and really makes those peanut butter flavors pop.
• Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and helps both the cake and frosting turn out ultra-creamy.
• Creamy peanut butter: This is the hero ingredient, delivering full-bodied flavor to both cake and frosting.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens things up and assists with that classic soft cake crumb.
• Brown sugar: Contributes a touch of moisture and a caramelly depth that makes every bite unforgettable.
• Large eggs: Bind everything together and add a lovely richness.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances and rounds out the overall flavor profile; a splash goes a long way.
• Whole milk: Keeps the cake moist and luxuriously soft from edge to center.
• Powdered sugar: Essential for a smooth, fluffy frosting that spreads like a dream.
• Milk (for frosting): Adjusts the frosting to your perfect spreadable consistency.
• Pinch of salt (for frosting): A tiny pinch ensures the frosting isn’t too sweet, unlocking true peanut butter flavor.

How to Make Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish

First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F and get your 9×13-inch baking dish ready. A really thorough greasing and flouring will make sure your cake comes out beautifully intact, with no sad sticking or crumbling. Quickly getting this step out of the way means less fuss later and a perfect slice every time.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step evenly distributes the leaveners and salt, so your cake rises beautifully and the flavor is balanced. Set aside, inhaling that toasty, floury aroma and know you’re on your way to greatness.

Step 3: Cream Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars

In your largest mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat on medium-high until the mixture is light and fluffy — you want the sugars fully integrated, giving you that perfect cake structure and a subtle toffee-like flavor undercurrent.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each egg is fully combined before adding the next. This gradual addition leads to a smoother, silkier batter. Stir in the vanilla extract for a warmth that highlights the peanut butter flavor in a big way.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Alternate adding your dry ingredients and the milk into the peanut butter mixture in three parts, starting and ending with the dry mix. Mixing just until everything is incorporated helps keep your cake light and fluffy — no over-mixing here! The batter will be thick, creamy, and pure temptation.

Step 6: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into your prepared dish, smoothing out the top with a spatula. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The scent sneaking from your oven will tell you everything’s going perfectly. The cake is done when a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Let it cool completely; patience is tough, but it means the Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting will slice and frost beautifully.

Step 7: Make the Peanut Butter Frosting

Beat the softened butter and peanut butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt, beating until super fluffy and perfectly spreadable. Add milk a tablespoon at a time, watching for that just-right texture where the frosting holds lovely swirls but spreads like velvet.

Step 8: Frost and Serve

Swirl the dreamy peanut butter frosting over your cooled cake, using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon for beautiful peaks and valleys. Now, stand back and admire (or just grab a fork and dig right in). This is the moment when Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting becomes the star of the show!

How to Serve Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Garnishes

If you want that extra special finish, sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts on top for crunch and visual flair, or scatter a handful of mini chocolate chips to echo those classic peanut butter cup vibes. A drizzle of melted chocolate or a pinch of flaky sea salt can also take each slice right over the top.

Side Dishes

This cake is so satisfying on its own, but it shines even brighter next to a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Fresh berries bring a juicy, tart contrast that cuts through the peanut butter richness, while a cold glass of milk or a creamy coffee makes each bite feel even more indulgent.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve squares on a pretty platter for parties, or slice into small cubes and offer on a dessert board alongside chocolate candies and fruit. You can even layer slices with extra frosting in jars for cute, portable cake parfaits. However you serve it, Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting is bound to start conversations and earn requests for seconds.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This cake keeps like a dream! Store any leftovers tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, and it’ll stay moist and flavorful. Make sure the frosting is protected from air to avoid it drying out — simply cover with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, you absolutely can. Wrap slices — or even the whole un-frosted cake — tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to two months. Frost once thawed, or freeze frosted slices individually for grab-and-go treats whenever a peanut butter craving strikes.

Reheating

While this cake is delicious at room temperature, you can gently warm it in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to bring back that oven-fresh softness. Just be careful not to overheat the frosting; short bursts are best for keeping every bite perfect.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter adds fun texture with little peanutty bits throughout the cake and frosting. If you want that classic smooth crumb, stick with creamy; for a little extra crunch, go ahead and swap it in.

Is it possible to make this Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute your favorite one-to-one gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. Just make sure it’s formulated for baking, and you’re good to go. You may notice a slightly different texture, but the flavor will still be pure peanut butter heaven.

Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Definitely. Whip up the peanut butter frosting a day in advance and store it tightly covered in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature and beat briefly before spreading on the cake for that fluffy, just-made texture.

What’s the best peanut butter to use for this recipe?

Classic store-bought creamy peanut butters (like Jif or Skippy) work best for a consistently smooth, stable texture. Natural peanut butters can sometimes separate or make the frosting oily, but if that’s all you have, just be sure to stir it thoroughly before measuring.

Can I bake this as cupcakes instead of a sheet cake?

Yes, you can! Divide the batter evenly among lined muffin tins, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for about 18-22 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick. Let cupcakes cool fully before topping with generous swirls of peanut butter frosting.

Final Thoughts

Treat yourself and your loved ones to a batch of this Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting — it’s everything you adore about peanut butter in each luscious bite. If you bake it once, it just might become your new go-to dessert. Have some fun, get creative with toppings, and most importantly, enjoy sharing every delicious moment. Happy baking!

Print