Tyler requested a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting for his birthday this week. With just two people in our house, making large layer cakes is plain dangerous. Especially when the cake tastes this amazing, its impossible to avoid eating a large piece with every meal. Or even just substituting cake for our meal. We may or may not have done this 🙂 But hey, birthdays demand cake – good cake.
This cake will become your favorite go-to chocolate cake. Its soft and moist, and has a rich chocolate texture and flavor. That’s not even mentioning the frosting. Its light, fluffy and will melt in your mouth. Just don’t question the amount of butter and be sure to save some for the cake. You will want to have a spoon handy for tasting as you’re making it.
I will admit, this recipe isn’t simple. It requires multiple bowls, stove top cooking and careful mixing. But its worth every bit of effort. The cake is over-leavened, meaning this cake recipe has too much baking soda in it. Over-leavening a cake will cause it to sink in the middle when baking. The extra baking soda causes the air bubbles to enlarge to the point the pop, causing a flat, dense cake. However, the extra baking soda is what helps give the chocolate its rich taste and helps lend a darker color to the batter. This is why it the boiling step is necessary in the recipe. Boiling the baking soda, cocoa powder, salt and sugar together allows the baking soda time to react with the cocoa. This enhances the flavor of the cocoa and and deepens the color. The boiling will also deactivate some of the baking soda. Leaving the proper amount of leavening for baking.
The other unusual thing about this chocolate cake recipe, is the instant coffee. I promise you will not be able to taste the coffee. While it isn’t necessary for the cake, the subtle flavors of the coffee enhance the cocoa leaving a richer chocolate taste. Sorry for the long-winded explanation of baking soda, cocoa and coffee. I think this pushes me into the category, “baking nerd”. And I promise you don’t need to understand chemical reactions that create this masterpiece. Measuring the ingredients correctly and following the recipe directions are more important to creating the perfect chocolate cake.
If you’re looking for a cake that’s a little easier to whip up on a while, this Ho Ho Cake is a family favorite from childhood and it’s a breeze to make.
Matt Robinson says
This is my kind of cake, Mallory. Chocolate and PB are my favorites, especially together!
aimee fauci says
Let them eat cake!!! hee hee.. Is the cake rich.. like ‘Ow my tummy hurts after that huge piece’? It looks great… Have you thought about freezing pieces for treats throughout the week. If I don’t do this.. I WILL eat the entire cake! Connecting through SIT Link Up.
Mallory says
Freezing pieces is a great idea! The cake is definitely sweet and moist! It all depends on your sugar preference I guess!
Megan @ The DelightFULL Dash says
This is my kind of cake! PB and chocolate is my favorite combo. Yum! Thanks for sharing!!
Bree says
Visiting from the SITS FB page – This looks incredible! It could effectively kill my diet in one bite, but you only live once, right? Thanks so much for sharing – I’m pinning this for later! 🙂
Mallory says
That’s right, Bree! And you won’t regret it.
elle says
oh wow, not a huge fan on peanut butter because I overloaded on it as a kid but goodness, this looks so good and tasty.
Mallory says
Thanks, Elle!
Niki says
This looks amazing! My boyfriend love chocolate peanut butter anything so I’m definitely going to have to try this for his birthday! So glad you posted to SITS!
Mallory says
Thanks, Niki. Let me know how it turns out if you try it!
Shayla @ Angel Skirts says
Now, you have me salivating all over myself! Yum! I’m pinning this one.
Camila says
This is mouth-watering! I just adore the mix of chocolate and peanut butter! wow, I’ll definitely try it! 🙂 thanks for sharing the recipe!
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
Seriously, it doesn’t get better than this!! I want to eat this now!! Thanks so much for linking up to Freedom Fridays! Sharing on FB and pinned! 🙂
Jenna says
You had me at chocolate cake…and those peanut butter cups didn’t hurt either 🙂 I really appreciated your explanation of the chemical process of baking and how the chocolate flavor is enhanced~being an impatient cook, baking is laborious for me, and I am always looking for shortcuts~ knowing the reasons will ensure I take the extra time and steps, thanks so much!
Mallory says
Thanks, Jenna! The extra steps are so worth the effort!
Taylor @ greens & chocolate says
Oh man my husband would love this cake for his birthday too!! It doesn’t get better than chocolate and peanut butter!
Cathy says
This cake looks delicious and decadent! I absolutely love the presentation!! PB & chocolate is a fave combination of mine! Checking this sweet dessert out from strut your stuff Tuesday!
Cathy
Mallory says
Thanks, Cathy. It’s almost impossible to beat peanut butter and chocolate together!
Beth @ The First Year says
I want a HUGE slice for breakfast. Is that bad? Haha.
Mallory says
I might have a had a big slice for breakfast one morning!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
This is totally my kind of cake!!! Chocolate with hidden coffee and topped with peanut butter frosting…oh yeah!