Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

For the Peanut Butter Frosting:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ⅓ cup heavy cream (more if needed)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Topping:

• Mini chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, or a chocolate drizzle

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2. Make the Cake Batter:
   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
   Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin).
3. Bake:
   Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
   Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then remove cakes from pans and cool completely on wire racks.
4. Make the Frosting:
   In a medium bowl, beat together peanut butter and softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low.
   Add heavy cream and vanilla, then beat on high speed until light and fluffy. Add more cream if needed for spreadable consistency.
5. Assemble the Cake:
   Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread frosting on top. Add the second layer and frost the top and sides of the cake.
6. Decorate:
   Garnish with mini chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, or drizzle with melted chocolate if desired.
7. Serve:
   Slice, serve, and enjoy this rich chocolate peanut butter treat!

If you’d like, I can help you adjust this for cupcakes or a sheet cake too. Want that?