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Peanut butter brownie cake on a cake stand topped with dipping chocolate ganache and peanut butter cups

Chocolate Brownie Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Chocolate Brownie Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting features three layers of fudgy brownie cake with rich peanut butter buttercream topped with chocolate ganache and peanut butter cups. Ultimate decadence!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword ganache, peanut butter cups
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Yields: 6 servings
Recipe by Tessa Arias

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

Directions

Make the cake layers:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 6-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. In a heatsafe 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.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
  4. 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.
  5. Divide the batter between the three cake pans, and tap on the counter to prevent air bubbles.
  6. 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.
  7. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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 hard, about 15 to 20 minutes.
  3. Spread the remaining frosting in an even layer all over the cake. Refrigerate while you make the chocolate drip.

Make chocolate drip:

  1. Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring the heavy cream to a simmer then immediately remove from heat and pour over chocolate. You can also do this in the microwave. Cover for a few minutes then stir until smooth.

  2. Allow to cool until it 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 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.

  3. Allow to set slightly before garnishing with the peanut butter cups, if using.

  4. 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

Brownie cake adapted from Cloudy Kitchen.