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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cake

A decadent layered chocolate cake with creamy peanut butter frosting, topped with a rich chocolate ganache drip and Reese's cups.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Cake
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1.75 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.75 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 1.5 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs large
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 0.5 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water
Peanut Butter Frosting
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 0.25 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Ganache & Garnish
  • 0.5 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 0.33 cup heavy cream hot
  • 12 mini peanut butter cups halved

Equipment

  • 3 8-inch Cake Pans
  • Stand mixer or Hand mixer
  • Wire rack
  • Offset Spatula
  • Mixing bowls

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
  4. Stir in boiling water by hand. Batter will be thin.
  5. Pour evenly into prepared pans. Bake 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  7. For frosting: Beat butter and peanut butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla; beat until fluffy.
  8. Assemble cake: Frost between layers and cover the outside of the cake.
  9. Make ganache: Pour hot heavy cream over chocolate chips. Let sit 5 mins, then whisk until smooth.
  10. Pour ganache over the top of the chilled cake, letting it drip down the sides. Top with peanut butter cups.

Notes

Chill the frosted cake for 20 minutes before adding the warm ganache to ensure perfect drips.