I have no shame in making cake from a box. It’s all all about how you re-purpose the cake.
Let me tell you about my old coworker Theresa. Theresa is something like a Julia Child in hiding. She doesn’t think so but that woman needs to have a cookbook or her own show. I learned so much from her in terms of techniques for cooking and food pairing that I should put her as partial contributor of my blog. I fell in love with Theresa’s cooking and baking when she brought in her homemade Yellow Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting. As you know, I’m really funny about peanut butter. Depending on the dessert it can be too rich for me. However, I tried her cake and feel in absolute heaven. In the office, her cake became an expected dessert for all office pot lucks and gatherings. Everyone can bring whatever they wanted, but Theresa had to bring her cake. Lately I have been craving that cake. I have no way to get in touch with Theresa to ask her for her recipe so I thought I tried to come up with my own.
First off let me say, just because I have a food blog doesn’t meant that I don’t believe in using boxed cake mixes from time to time. Remember, my blog is designed to show you how you can make easy and delicious food without the hassle. Although there are several recipes for cakes that you can make from scratch, but not everyone feels comfortable with making a cake from scratch. This recipe is for you if you are that person. For the most part, I do make everything from scratch, but in this case I didn’t mind using a cake box mix. If I ever use a box mix of anything, believe me I am adding something to it or using it for something totally different. Because I miss Theresa’s cake, I thought I try to recreate it. Basically I took some yellow cake mix and added some peanut butter and extra butter to make it extra moist. I did make frosting from scratch and made the cake pretty by adding some Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. I’m telling you this is as close to Theresa’s cake as I am going to get and that is saying a lot because I think Theresa’s Peanut Butter Cake should be sold in a bakery somewhere. This Peanut Butter Cake with Chocolate Frosting is the easiest and the most delicious cake you will ever make. I promise.
Peanut Butter Cake with Chocolate Butter Cream Icing
Ingredients
- 16.5 oz box Yellow Cake Mix
- 3 eggs
- 1 c. water
- 1/3 c. oil
- 1 c. creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp. softened unsalted butter
- FROSTING
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 4 c. powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. espresso powder or coffee granules
- 2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chip, melted
- pinch of salt
- 3 tbsp. milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 Degrees
- Grease or spray two 9 inch round cake pans and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, eggs, water and oil. Blend until smooth. Add the cup of peanut butter and 2 tbsp. butter and mix until completely blended.
- Divide batter and pour half in one pan and the other half in the other pan. Place in oven and bake for 22-26 minutes. Allow to cool completely before icing.
- For the frosting, cream the butter and add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a tie alternating with tablespoon of milk. Add the vanilla extract, espresso powder, and melted chocolate (make sure that the chocolate is cooled before adding).
- Spread the frosting on the bottom layer first. Add the top layer and Icing the top and sides with a thin layer. Place a long toothpick in the middle of the cake to secure the layers from sliding and moving. Add the rest of the frosting making sure it is spread evenly on the the entire cake. Allow to chill for 15 minutes before serving.
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