Tessa’s Recipe Rundown
Taste: The cake layers are ultra chocolaty and the frosting is ultra peanut buttery. Dessert bliss!
Texture: The brownie cake is super dense, rich, and fudgy but sturdy enough to stack, and the buttercream and chocolate topping are the definition of smooth yet rich.
Ease: Not too difficult, just a little time-consuming. A great weekend project.
Pros: DELICIOUS.
Cons: None, really.
Would I make this again? Yes yes yes!! I want to already.
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This Chocolate Brownie Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting is the perfect cake for any occasion.
It’s rich. It’s indulgent. It’s deliciously decadent. It truly is all of my dessert dreams come true.
Chocolate and peanut butter are just about the most perfect flavor combination in existence, but when the chocolate comes in the form of a brownie? I’m immediately in!
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I created this cake for those occasions when a simple frosting-covered brownie isn’t quite fancy enough, but you still want the richness and fudginess only a brownie can provide.
You could definitely use the brownie cake layers in this recipe with any other thick fillings and frostings, feel free to get creative with flavors!
Let me know what you think of this cake in the comments below!
Sprinkle of Science
How to Make Chocolate Brownie Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting
How to Turn Brownies Into Cake Layers
- The brownie cake recipe is adapted from the ultra-talented Erin of Cloudy Kitchen. She took classic brownies and made them sturdy enough for a layer cake while still remaining rich and fudgy.
- The brownie cake layers use a high amount of both melted semisweet chocolate and cocoa powder, for an intense chocolate flavor. Learn more about Chocolate in Baking here.
- They also use a combination of butter and oil, for the best flavor and moist texture. Learn more about oil and butter in baking here.
- Tons of eggs help add richness and structure, as does the addition of baking powder (which is not included in my traditional brownie recipes).
The Cake Pans
- This recipe was designed to use three 6-inch pans, preferably 3-inches in height.
- I love my Fat Daddio anodized aluminum cake pans. They release cakes of all variety easily and don’t dry out the edges.
- Whatever you do, never bake a cake in a dark-colored pan. It’ll likely overbake and be too brown and dry at the edges.
- If only have 8-inch cake pans: I haven’t tested this, but you can try using two 8-inch cake pans and start checking for doneness at 25 minutes. The cake will obviously be much shorter.
- We also have not tried this cake as a 13 by 9-inch sheet cake. Instead, I recommend using my Chewy Brownie recipe and double the recipe to fit a 13 by 9-inch pan. Use this peanut butter frosting recipe on top, once the brownies have completely cooled.
How to Make Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting
- Start with butter that’s softened to room temperature and a whole cup of creamy conventional peanut butter.
- Natural peanut butter that doesn’t contain any added oil isn’t ideal. I like to use Skippy.
- Why? That added oil helps prevent the peanut butter from separating so it stays homogenous which is definitely what we want for buttercream. If you use a natural peanut butter product that only contains ground peanuts then your buttercream may split.
- Make sure to sift your powdered sugar before using, for the smoothest, creamiest buttercream.
- For even creamier buttercream, try using organic powdered sugar with tapioca starch. It dissolves into the frosting better than the traditional cornstarch so you don’t get any grittiness.
- For more buttercream tips check out this post.
How to Assemble & Decorate a Layer Cake
- Place one cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Spread with about 1/2 cup of the frosting. Repeat with the remaining two cake layers, leaving the top layer flat side up. This ensures the top of the cake is level, with clean edges.
- Apply a thin layer of crumb coat icing to the entire surface of the cake, scraping away any excess with an offset spatula or bench scraper to create a spackle-like coating. Be sure not to scrape any crumby icing back into your clean bowl of icing. A cake turntable makes easy work of this. Refrigerate the whole cake until solid, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- While the crumb coat is in the fridge, make the chocolate drip. Allow to cool until it has thickened, but is still pourable but not so thin that it runs clear down the sides of the cake. It’s a fine balance! The amount of time it takes for the ganache to cool to this consistency will depend on the temperature of your kitchen and the size and shape of your bowl.
- Don’t place the ganache drip in the fridge to cool. This will create uneven chunks of cooler ganache next to runnier warmer bits. Test the consistency of the drip by pouring a little down the side of a glass. If it’s too thick, microwave for 5 to 10 seconds then stir. If it’s too thin, allow to continue to cool.
Can This Recipe be Made Into Cupcakes?
Almost any cake recipe can be converted into cupcakes. Check out my full guide on how to convert cake to cupcakes (and vice versa!).
How to Make this Cake Ahead of Time
The assembled and frosted cake can be stored, covered, at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the fridge for up to 3 days.
The brownie cake layers can be stored in the fridge, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for up to 2 days before assembling.
The frosting can also be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 1 week. Allow to come to room temperature before re-whipping with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy again.
Chocolate Brownie Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting
Ingredients
For the brownie cake layers:
- 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter
- 8 ounces (227 grams) semisweet baking chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup (133 grams) dark brown sugar
- 3/4 cup (95 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (85 grams) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 5 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup fresh vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the peanut butter frosting:
- 2 sticks (227 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup (270 grams) creamy conventional peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon fine salt
- 2 1/2 cups (313 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
For the chocolate drip:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Chopped peanut butter cups, optional
Instructions
Make the cake layers:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 6-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a heat-safe bowl, combine the butter and chocolate and microwave for 45 seconds. Stir and continue to heat in 30-second bursts, stirring between bursts, until melted and smooth. Whisk in the sugars until combined. Let cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- To the cooled chocolate mixture whisk in the eggs, one at a time, Whisk vigorously for 30 seconds until very well combined. Add in the oil and vanilla and whisk until combined. Add the dry ingredients and gently fold to combine.
- Divide the batter between the three cake pans, and tap on the counter to prevent air bubbles.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops are dry and a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out with a few crumbs attached. Be sure not to overbake, the cakes will continue to cook after being removed from the oven.
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely. At this point, the brownie cake layers can be stored in the fridge, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for up to 2 days before assembling.
Make the frosting:
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and peanut butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar and continue beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, about another 3 minutes.
Assemble the cake:
- Place one cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Spread with about 1/2 cup of the frosting. Repeat with the remaining two cake layers, leaving the top layer flat side up.
- Apply a thin layer of crumb coat icing to the entire surface of the cake, scraping away any excess with an offset spatula or bench scraper to create a spackle-like coating. Refrigerate until solid, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Spread the remaining frosting in an even layer all over the cake. Refrigerate to solidify again while you make the chocolate drip.
Make chocolate drip:
- Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring the heavy cream to a simmer, then immediately remove from heat and pour over the chocolate. You can also do this in the microwave. Cover for a few minutes then stir until smooth.
- Allow to cool until ganache has thickened but is still pourable, about 10 minutes. Don’t place ganache in the fridge to cool. Test the consistency of the drip by pouring a little down the side of a glass. If it’s too thick, microwave for 5 to 10 seconds. If it’s too thin, allow to continue to cool. Spread the drip all over the top of the cake and allow it to drip down the sides.
- Allow to set slightly before garnishing with the peanut butter cups, if desired.
- The cake can be stored, covered, at room temperature for up to 1 day or in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Recipe Notes
This recipe was created in 2020 and updated with additional tips and recipe notes. Photos by Ashley McLaughlin.
WAY WAY WAY too rich!!! I could not even finish a tiny little piece. Would be way better with a lighter fluffier cake rather than brownie cake
I used a devil’s food cake mix to lighten it up just a tad and made an 8″ triple layer cake. I doubled up the frosting to make sure I had enough. This cake did not disappoint! Almost the whole cake was consumed in one sitting!! Frosting was delicious! I would totally love to share pictures!
What do you mean by adding a devil’s cake mix in? Just adding the cake mix in or did you follow the cake mix instructions (adding oil, egg, water, etc) and then added it in the recipe? Thanks!
That’s why it’s called a BROWNIE cake recipe
And not just a choclate cake recipe!! If you don’t like brownies than you shouldn’t have tried this recipe!!
Can I use light brown sugar instead of dark brown sugar?
Yes, I made it with light brown sugar and it turned out amazing
Can you use wax paper?
Made this for my son’s birthday cake and it is absolutely amazing! A cross between a cake & brownie, it’s very thick, rich and decadent. And that peanut butter frosting is eat alone scrumptious! Followed the directions exactly and it came out perfectly!
First, it was absolutely delicious. So I doubled the recipe and baked 3 8in cakes. Height was perfect but the brownies got a bit overcooked around the edges so next time I will maybe lower the oven temp. The biggest issue I had was the brownie cake really is more of a brownie. The buttercream frosting is delicious but definitely not stiff enough to keep the layers from coming apart when I cut it. That was my biggest problem apart from the sugar coma I put myself into eating this deliciousness. I can’t wait to make it again to see if I can get the temp/timing down for 8 inch layers. Thanks so much for posting.
This is helpful, thanks. I am using 8in pans now and I was concerned that it wouldn’t turn out right.
Will it make a difference if I use mini chocolate chips, I only have the Ghirardelli baking mini chips. Also would this be ok for an ice cream cake?
This is a perfect one cake with a perfect recipe. Thank you so much for this recipe.
This is gorgeous! Totally agree with you on the New Years’ nonsense. But I really had to tell you, the tip about organic powdered sugar is AMAZING! why did I not know this? Now I can’t wait to get some organic and try it! You are so smart, Tess. Thanks!!
I learned it from Stella Parks! So random, but so good!
This cake is amazing! I made it last night for a friend’s birthday and it was a hit! Not only was it rich and delicious, it was beautiful with all the peanut butter cups on it! Since I don’t have a 6 inch cake pan, I used an 8 inch and also made it square. I checked at 20 minutes and I think I ended up leaving it in for 3 more, but I also have to use a toaster oven. With two layers it was a bit on the short side, but still looked good. I was a bit worried that the buttercream would be too peanut buttery and thick, but it’s actually super light and balances out the fudgy cake layers. I also finally got the chocolate to drip! I’ve tried with other recipes and couldn’t do it. Your tip about trying it on the side of a glass worked perfectly! Thank you for another great recipe!
Woohoo! So glad to hear that.
Hey, I was wondering if I could sub the oil for something in the cake. Like applesauce? Also could you sub all of it or just half? I really want to make this though…it looks amamzing!
I wouldn’t advise using a substitute.
I’ve only got 2 6″ 3″ deep cake pans would it still work? X
Bake the cake in batches with the pans you do have! You need all three otherwise you’ll have a ton of extra batter and not a lot of cake.
Thank you
Your timing is PERFECT! I have to make a chocolate cake for my son’s birthday next week and this one will the one. My only question is: What is a ‘crumb coat’ icing?
It’s the idea of basically creating a very thin coating with the icing – kind of like spackle – to prevent any crumbs from ruining the appearance of the frosting. There’s a ton of YouTube videos on it 🙂