Naked Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Cake
Oh man this cake! Andy only has one 40th birthday, and since his was this past weekend, I think it more than deserved a show-stopping cake. It’s been too long since I’ve actually taken the time to bake something beautiful and rich and I knew this cake had to be it. Andy pretty much gave me free reign to get creative and make what I wanted, and I knew this flavor combo wouldn’t disappoint.
My favorite basic chocolate cake is layered with rich chocolate ganache and fluffy peanut butter frosting. I chose to make a naked cake because I’m so obsessed with the look of them, but many different options would work for this. The cake could be made in a bundt pan with the frosting slathered on and the ganache poured on top. Or, you could frost it more traditionally, frosting it all perfectly smooth and then once again pouring the ganache on top. Whatever you decide, if you are a chocolate/peanut butter lover I know you’ll adore this cake.
The “naked cake” style really couldn’t be more easy. After filling the cake with ganache and frosting you basically take a frosting spatula and scrape it around the whole thing, adding a teeny bit of frosting to the edge while still keeping it raw-looking. I like using a turntable for this. It makes the whole thing so smooth and easy to do, but you could probably manage without. What do you think? Do you like this style of cake or prefer a more traditional frosting method?
Thanks for your patience as I still figure out my life with two kids. Things in our lives are changing a lot in the next few months, more on that later, (I update a lot about my day to day on Instagram.) You’ll be happy to hear that I have another awesome recipe planned for later this week though, so stay tuned. In the meantime- go make this cake! :)
Naked Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder*
- 2 and ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 and ¼ cups sugar
- 2 and ¼ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk
- 4½ tablespoons safflower oil
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- 12 tablespoons of butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
For the Ganache:
- 4.5 oz dark chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- peanut butter cups to garnish (optional)
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Grease and flour your cake pans, lining with a circle of parchment paper. (This can be 6, 8 or 9 inch pans, I would use at least 3 pans if doing 6 inch though.)
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- Stir in the water, buttermilk, oil, vanilla and eggs, continue to stir until batter is smooth.
- Divide batter amongst the pans and bake for 25-35 mins, or until a cake tester inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Set aside to cool.
For the Ganache:
- Place the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl. Bring the heavy cream to a simmer on the stove-top, and then pour over the chopped chocolate. Whisk until smooth. Allow to cool and thicken before using. (I pop mine in the fridge or freezer.
For the Frosting:
- Cream together the butter and peanut butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar until well combined. Fold in the whipped cream until frosting is smooth and fluffy.
To assemble:
- Using a serrated knife, level each cake layer, slicing off the "domed" top to make it even. Place the bottom later on a piece of parchment paper on a cake turntable (if you have one.)
- Spread a layer of ganache over the first layer of cake, sticking it into the fridge or freezer if needed to firm it up. (I stuck the whole cake into the fridge between each frosting layer.)
- Follow with a layer of frosting, then another layer of cake, more ganache, more frosting etc. Add some frosting to the outside of the cake, smoothing with a spatula. Top with chopped peanut butter cups.
Notes
* Base cake recipe adapted from Martha Stewart
I love the look of naked cakes but am skeptical about the frosting amount;-) I don’t know how you get anything done with two (plus everything else going on!)… I can barely get anything done with one lol.
Exquisite looking!
I AM SO OBSESSED WITH EVERY ASPECT OF THIS CAKE! and I totally adore naked cakes <3 Happy birthday Andy!
This cake looks amazing but quick question: if I use the 9″ pan is there enough batter to fill 2 that way I can split each cake into 2 layers for a total of 4…or do you think 1 9″ cake split into 2 will suffice?
yes that would work for sure :)
Hello Audra! I was just wondering what height are your 6inch pan?I only have this 2inch high and yours looks taller. Im just concern if mine is too small and I might mess up the whole thing or end up overflowing batter everywhere. Hope you’ll notice this.I really love love love your blog. Much love all the way from ph :)
Joan I am so sorry your comment *just* came through on my end. I’m sure it’s too late but I use Fat Daddio pans- both the 6 and 8inch ones. I think they are also 2 inches high!
Hello :)
I discovered your blog while googling naked cakes :)
Just two questions if you’d be so kind to answer
1. Do you mean sunflower oil or is there a safflower oil that you can use that I’ve never heard of.
2. I’m planning to make the cake ahead of time and therefore freeze the layers. Any pointers? Thanks heaps, it would be greatly appreciated:)
I meant safflower oil but any vegetable oil would do!
And yes- you can freeze the layers individually no problem. Just wrap in plastic wrap :)
I like chocolate, my son will definitely enjoyed this dish. Thank for your repice!
Hello Audra! I was just wondering what height are your 6inch pan?I only have this 2inch high and yours looks taller. Im just concern if mine is too small and I might mess up the whole thing or end up overflowing batter everywhere. Hope you’ll notice this.I really love love love your blog. Much love all the way from ph :)
I made this yesterday for my brother’s birthday and it was a huge hit! This chocolate cake is going to now be my go to chocolate cake recipe instead of my long running Hershey disappearing cake. I love how high this cake bakes up, along with the intense chocolate flavor and super moist texture. The icing is divine. I made a double recipe, but next time would only do 1 1/2. Another great recipe, thanks Audra!
I made this today for my parents-in-law and it was a HIT! Thank you Audra! The chocolate cake is so light, and the ganache cuts into the sweet peanut butter… wonderful.
Hello Audra! Can this cake batter be made in two 6×3″? Its kinda deep but that’s what I only have. If it’s possible then what are some adjustments should I make? like for the temp or baking time? I’m afraid I might underbake it. Pls help
Hey Audra. Can I make cupcakes with this batter?
I just made this not as tall and cute at yours but hopefully will be a big hit for the birthday tomorrow! Smells amazing! So glad I found your blog
Thank you for the recipe! It is delucoius! I just have one question, I use 9 inches thing, but they came out as a mountain, what can I do it more even?
Made this for my husbands 30th birthday and it was sooo good. He loved it. And it looked beautiful too wish I could show you the pics
This turned out amazing! I doubled the frosting recipe and it came out just enough for the layers and decorating it more traditionally. Thanks for the recipe!