This chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting is super easy because it starts with a cake mix to make the moist chocolate cake layer, then it’s covered in a rich and creamy peanut butter frosting.
This cake comes together quickly because the chocolate cake recipe is actually cake-mix-based. It bakes up moist and perfect every time and because you’re adding a few extra ingredients to it, it tastes homemade, just like you made it from scratch.
Table of Contents:
This chocolate peanut butter cake is the perfect flavor combination and it’ll fast become a favorite. The whole family will love this cake and you won’t mind baking it for them because it’s so quick to throw together. The cake layer is a doctored cake mix, but the frosting is from scratch, so the cake really does taste like it’s a scratch cake.
Another reason it’s so convenient and quick is that it’s baked in a 9×13 inch pan, so the best thing about that is that you don’t have to worry about pulling cake layers out of pans or getting fancy with the decorating. It’s great for special occasions and it’s really great as a bake-and-take dessert for potlucks too.
Ingredient Notes:
Let’s talk about just some of the ingredients in this recipe. The full list of ingredients will be in the recipe card below. Also, check out the FAQ section to see other tips and ingredient questions.
Chocolate cake mix: This recipe starts off with a cake mix, to make things easy. You’ll doctor it up though, so it’ll end up tasting homemade. You can use any chocolate cake mix you like, but I think Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines works the best.
Instant chocolate pudding mix: This will amp up the chocolate flavor and make it super moist. You’ll just add this in dry, but make sure it’s the ‘instant’ pudding mix and not the ‘cooked’ type.
Sour cream: This is always the star in cake recipes. It adds a little flavor and a lot of moisture. This is one of the ingredients that will make this cake taste like it’s from scratch.
Vanilla extract: It’s always nice to add just a touch of vanilla to cake batter, even if it’s a chocolate cake. It just adds a nice dimension to the cake and helps it get the ‘from scratch’ taste.
Unsalted butter: The peanut butter frosting calls for unsalted butter. It’s best to use real butter and not margarine here because nothing beats the taste of real butter in frosting. It’s also best to try and use unsalted butter, instead of salted butter, as the peanut butter will already have a good amount of salt in it already.
Peanut butter: You can’t get peanut butter buttercream without peanut butter, right? I prefer to use creamy peanut butter, but you could always go with crunchy if that’s what you like.
Confectioner’s sugar: You’ll use this for the frosting as it will thicken it up and add sweetness.
How to Make this Cake:
Here’s how to prepare this cake. The full instructions will be in the recipe card below.
Step 1:
First, you’ll need to make the cake. For that, make sure to preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease or spray a 9×13 inch pan very well.
Step 2:
Now add all of the cake ingredients to a large bowl and mix well with an electric mixer on medium to medium-high speed for about two minutes. Note that the batter will be thick.
Step 3:
Spread the cake batter evenly into the sprayed pan and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes. The cake is done baking when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs on it or clean, but no raw batter.
Step 4:
Once the cake is fully baked, set it on a wire rack to cool completely before adding the buttercream.
Step 5:
Now it’s time to make the frosting. You’ll mix the butter, peanut butter and vanilla extract well with an electric mixer on medium to medium-high until very smooth.
Step 6:
Next, add the confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons of milk and mix on low until incorporated, then on medium until well mixed.
Then, check the consistency and if it’s too thick, add another tablespoon of milk. If it’s too thin, just add another 1/2 cup of confectioner’s sugar and mix well. Once you reach the desired consistency, mix it on medium-high speed for about a minute, so that the icing becomes super fluffy.
Step 7:
Make sure that the cake has cooled completely, then add the frosting.
Step 8:
Serve at room temperature. You can also add chopped peanut butter cups, crushed Oreos or chocolate chips on top.
Tips & FAQs:
Just make sure to use a cake mix that’s around 15 oz. Any chocolate cake mix will probably do, but I prefer Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines.
No, don’t add the ingredients that are listed on the back of the cake mix box. Just add the cake mix dry to the bowl.
Use the instant pudding mix.
No, just add the pudding mix in dry.
Yes, you can substitute it with plain yogurt.
It’s really best to use unsalted butter for the frosting because the peanut butter already has a good amount of salt added and using salted butter, will just add more. If you cannot get unsalted butter, then just use what you have.
You can use any brand you like. I prefer Jif or Peter Pan creamy, but use what you like.
No, not unless it has large lumps in it.
Yes! You could use canned vanilla frosting and add in peanut butter until you get just the right amount.
The cake is done baking when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs or clean, but no raw batter.
Yes, absolutely. Just add the cake batter to two, well-greased 8 inch round cake pans and bake.
This cake can be stored, well covered, at room temperature for approximately 3 days, then stored in the refrigerator for another 2-3 days to prolong freshness. This cake can last up to 6 days when stored properly.
This cake is best served at room temperature. If cold, allow it to come to room temperature before serving. or pop a slice in the microwave and warm for about 10 seconds.
You can add chocolate chips to the cake batter if desired. After the cake is baked, cooled and frosted, you could add crushed Oreos, chopped peanut butter cups, or sprinkle chocolate chips over it.
Supplies used for this recipe:
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Video:
Easy Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 15.24 ounce box chocolate cake mix (I used Betty Crocker's chocolate fudge cake)
- 1 3.9 ounce box Jello instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/2 cup milk
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting: (See easier frosting option in notes.)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (2 sticks)
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or spray a 9 x 13 inch pan very well.
- In a large bowl, mix all the cake ingredients on medium to medium-high speed for about two minutes. Batter will be thick.
- Spread the batter evenly into the pan and bake for approximately 35-40 minutes. Cake is done baking when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs or clean, but no raw batter.
- Once baked, set on a wire rack to cool completely before adding frosting.
For the frosting:
- Mix the butter, peanut butter and vanilla extract well with an electric mixer on medium to medium-high until very smooth.
- Add the confectioner’s sugar, vanilla extract and 3 tablespoons of milk and mix on low until incorporated, then on medium until well mixed.
- Check the consistency. If it’s too thick, add another tablespoon of milk. If it's too thin, add another 1/2 cup of confectioner's sugar and mix well.
- Once the desired consistency is reached, mix on medium-high speed for about a minute, so the icing becomes fluffy.
- Add frosting to cooled cake.
- (See an even easier option for the frosting in the notes.)
Notes
Nutrition
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I am going to try making this recipe in a 12 hold mini bunt pan. I am hoping this is like the Nothing Bundt Cake Bundt let special this month of Reese”s Chocolate Peanut Butter Bundt let. I may use Reese:s in the mix or melt the Reese’s for the frosting.
Oh, I bet that will be delicious! Make sure to chop up the Reese’s cups if you add them to the batter, so they don’t sink to the bottom. Also grease and flour the bundt pan very well as the cake is very moist and will easily stick. Let me know how it goes!