Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake for a Crowd is an irresistible dessert that combines the rich flavors of chocolate and peanut butter. Perfect for parties, gatherings, or any celebration, this cake is sure to please a crowd. Its soft, moist texture and creamy frosting make it a delightful treat that everyone will love.
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe is not only delicious but also easy to prepare. With simple ingredients you can find in your kitchen, you can whip up a tasty cake that serves many people without spending too much time. The combination of chocolate and peanut butter is a classic favorite that adds a layer of indulgence. Whether it’s a birthday party or a potluck, this cake is sure to be a hit!
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake for a Crowd
Here’s a step-by-step guide to create this delightful cake.
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups flour (plain / all purpose)
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened) (Note 1)
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda (bi-carb soda) (Note 2)
- 2 cups white sugar (or caster/superfine sugar)
- 1 tsp cooking / kosher salt (yes, really!)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk (low or full fat)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or other plain flavored oil like canola, grapeseed, rapeseed, sunflower)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp instant coffee powder (OPTIONAL) (Note 3)
- 1 cup boiling water (makes the chocolate flavor “bloom”)
- 250g / 2 sticks unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 cups (500 g) soft icing sugar / powdered sugar (sifted) (Note 4)
- 1/2 cup (120 g) smooth peanut butter (spread, not pure) (Note 5)
- 1/4 tsp cooking/kosher salt
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or melts (US: semi-sweet chips)
- 2 tbsp cream (thickened/heavy or pure, not low fat)
- 3 tbsp peanut butter (warmed in microwave to make it runny)
- 120g / 4 oz mini Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups
- 10+ miniature Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups (halved)
- 1/4 cup salted peanuts (finely chopped)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan).
- Grease a 23 x 33cm / 9 x 13″ metal cake pan with butter. Then line with paper with overhang, to make it easier to lift out (For round pans, see Note 4).
- Batter: In a large bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil, vanilla extract, and optional coffee powder. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually add boiling water, mixing well until the batter is smooth.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting: In another bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add icing sugar, peanut butter, salt, and milk. Mix until well combined.
- Once the cake has cooled, frost it with the peanut butter buttercream.
- Decorating: Melt chocolate chips and cream together, then drizzle over the frosted cake. Finish by adding mini peanut butter cups and chopped peanuts on top.
How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake for a Crowd
Cut the cake into squares or slices and serve it on a large platter. You can also offer extra peanut butter cups or a scoop of ice cream for those who want a little extra indulgence!
How to Store Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake for a Crowd
Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate the cake for up to 1 week. If you’d like to keep it fresh, you can also freeze it by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
Tips to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake for a Crowd
- Always grease and line your baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Make sure your butter is softened before making the frosting for a smoother texture.
- If you want to enhance the chocolate flavor, consider using high-quality cocoa powder.
- For more peanut butter flavor, feel free to add extra peanut butter cups or drizzle some peanut butter on top of the cake.
Variation
You can turn this cake into a chocolate peanut butter sheet cake by using a larger baking pan and adjusting the baking time. You can also experiment with adding nuts or other flavors in the frosting.
FAQs
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cake a day in advance and frost it the day you plan to serve it.
Is there a gluten-free version of this cake?
You can substitute regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend in this recipe to make it gluten-free.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
Yes! If you prefer a bit of crunch, feel free to use crunchy peanut butter in the frosting. It can add a nice texture to the cake.
Enjoy making and sharing this delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake for a Crowd!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake for a Crowd
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 ¾ cups flour (plain / all purpose)
- ¾ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened) Note 1
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda (bi-carb soda) Note 2
- 2 cups white sugar (or caster/superfine sugar)
- 1 tsp cooking / kosher salt Yes, really!
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk (low or full fat)
- ½ cup vegetable oil (or other plain flavored oil) (canola, grapeseed, rapeseed, sunflower)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp instant coffee powder OPTIONAL (Note 3)
- 1 cup boiling water Makes the chocolate flavor “bloom”.
For the Frosting
- 250 g unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 cups soft icing sugar / powdered sugar (sifted) Note 4
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter (spread, not pure) Note 5
- ¼ tsp cooking/kosher salt
- 1 tbsp milk
For the Topping
- ½ cup chocolate chips or melts (US: semi-sweet chips)
- 2 tbsp cream (thickened/heavy or pure, not low fat)
- 3 tbsp peanut butter (warmed in microwave to make it runny)
- 120 g mini Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups
- 10+ pieces miniature Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups (halved)
- ¼ cup salted peanuts (finely chopped)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C fan).
- Grease a 23 x 33cm / 9 x 13″ metal cake pan with butter. Then line with paper with overhang to make it easier to lift out.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt.
- Add eggs, milk, oil, vanilla extract, and optional coffee powder. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually add boiling water, mixing well until the batter is smooth.
Baking
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Frosting
- In another bowl, beat butter until fluffy.
- Gradually add icing sugar, peanut butter, salt, and milk. Mix until well combined.
- Once the cake has cooled, frost it with the peanut butter buttercream.
Decorating
- Melt chocolate chips and cream together, then drizzle over the frosted cake.
- Finish by adding mini peanut butter cups and chopped peanuts on top.
