The Americas United States

Chocolate Peanut Butter Birthday Cake

Name: Chocolate Peanut Butter Birthday Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: The Americas
Ingredients: 400g / 14.1oz granulated sugar; 222g / 7.8oz all-purpose flour; 75g / 2.6oz cocoa powder; 2 tsp / 10ml baking soda; 1 tsp / 5ml baking powder; 1 tsp / 5g kosher salt; 2 large eggs; 240ml / 8.1fl oz buttermilk; 240ml / 8.1fl oz strong black coffee; 120ml / 4.1fl oz vegetable oil; 1 tsp / 5ml pure vanilla extract; 340g / 12oz unsalted butter, softened; 100g / 3.5oz unsweetened cocoa powder; 1/2 cup / 125g creamy peanut butter; 500g / 17.6oz powdered sugar; 2 tsp / 10ml pure vanilla extract; 3 tbsp / 45ml whole milk; 160ml / 5.4fl oz heavy cream; 100g / 3.5oz Rich Chocolate Ovaltine powder; 3/4 tsp / 4g kosher salt

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake, Cocoa Peanut Butter Celebration Cake, American Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Difficulty: Medium
Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Make Time: 45 minutes
Calories: 650 / serving
Diet: Vegetarian

The essentials, at a glance

The Americas Dessert Birthdays

This decadent cake combines rich cocoa layers with a creamy peanut butter frosting. Its bold flavours and celebratory presentation make it an ideal centrepiece for birthday gatherings. The addition of coffee enhances the chocolate depth for a sophisticated treat.

ProteinProtein 9.0g

FatFat 32.0g

CarbsCarbs 85.0g

Above values do not change with any serving size changes you make below

Instructions

Place rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 175 degrees C (350 degrees F). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

In a large bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

In a large measuring cup, whisk together eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil, and vanilla.

Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry until smooth and glossy, approximately 2 minutes.

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Remove from oven and cool in pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.

For the frosting, cream together butter, cocoa powder, and salt until very thick.

Beat in the peanut butter.

Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract on low speed, then increase speed and beat until smooth for about 1 minute.

Stir together heavy cream and Ovaltine in a separate glass.

Pour half of the cream mixture into the frosting in a slow, steady stream while mixing on medium speed.

Scrape down the bowl and add the remaining cream mixture until the desired consistency is reached.

Beat until soft and creamy for about 1 minute.

Frost the cooled cake layers and assemble.

Nutritional Benefits

Provides a source of protein from peanut butter and eggs.

Cocoa contains flavonoids that may support heart health.

Milk and buttermilk provide calcium for bone strength.

Peanut butter offers healthy unsaturated fats.

Nutritional information is provided as a general guide only. Values may vary and should not replace professional medical or dietary advice.

Recipe Credit

joythebaker.comEverybody's Birthday Cake - Chocolate Peanut ButterWhat's your go-to birthday cake? I'm taking a wild guess and crossing my fingers that it's the best chocolate birthday cake with chocolate frosting. My

A Decadent Chocolate and Peanut Butter Celebration

Andrew T. 10 Jul 2026

From the Blog

All Contributions

Chocolate Peanut Butter Birthday Cake · Andrew T.

Strong black coffee is the secret weapon here, intensifying the cocoa without making the sponge taste like a latte. As someone who loves the process of putting a great meal together even if I am not a pro in the kitchen, I find the contrast between the moist, dark cake and the nutty frosting absolutely brilliant.

The Perfect Pairing

The addition of Ovaltine to the buttercream brings a nostalgic, malty depth that elevates the peanut butter from a simple topping to a sophisticated frosting. Using buttermilk ensures the crumb remains tender and light, preventing the richness from becoming overwhelming. It is a proper crowd-pleaser that brings a bit of North American indulgence to the table, perfect for any birthday bash.

Yum Feedback

0 comments

Food, Place & the Past

Yumpedia: United States

Chocolate Peanut Butter Birthday Cake history

The combination of chocolate and peanut butter is a quintessential North American flavour profile, gaining massive popularity in the mid-20th century. This pairing evolved alongside the commercial success of peanut butter and cocoa-based confectionery, becoming a staple of home baking and festive celebrations across the United States and Canada.

The use of buttermilk in the cake base is a traditional American technique, providing a subtle tang and a moist, tender crumb that balances the sweetness of the frosting. The inclusion of coffee in chocolate cakes is a professional baker's secret, used not for a coffee flavour, but to intensify the aromatic qualities of the cocoa powder.

Continue reading in Yumpedia