Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake
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This moist peanut butter cake is a great way to celebrate any birthday or special occasion. Top it with a sweet chocolate frosting.
This.
It’s hard for me to look at this photo and not tear up. As any parent knows, time becomes a whirling vortex. This was so long ago, and also yesterday. But today, for real, he is five.
Five is one of those special numbers. Even though he won’t start kindergarten until next fall thanks to Texas rules, he is in all other ways a kindergartner. He is a Boy, not a baby. Running and shouting and making guns out of anything, but also tending to his stuffed animals and making sure to share anything he thinks I or his father need. Every other day a huge new word pops out and more often than not he is using it correctly. He eats more than I do.
Luckily, thankfully, I can still wrap my arms around him. I still get sneak-attack kisses. I still can teach him all that I can, before he forsakes me and gardening and the kitchen for cafeteria food and whatever teenagers will be doing in 2022.
Right now that means baking.
I began cooking by learning how to bake, so I have been working on getting Reese acquainted with it as well. It seemed only fitting that he should help make his birthday cake.
Now, I am one of those people who must keep everything neat and tidy while cooking. I put things away as I use them, and wipe up spills immediately.
This doesn’t quite work when you invite a kid into the kitchen. Things get spilled. Actually, lots of things get spilled. But eventually you’ll have a great partner and possible sous chef. We just start slow, with mixing and measuring. For us what works best is using a kitchen scale for the measuring – kids don’t exactly have the hang of “proper” cup measure. We have done a few batches of cookies and muffins together before, so our next step was egg cracking. I guided his hands on the first egg, but he was doing it by himself completely by the third egg.
I think he’s already better at it than I am. Not even one tiny bit of shell in the whole batch!
(You might be wondering where the stand mixer is, and to that I say, feh! I mean, I do love my stand mixer, but I also enjoy mixing a cake by hand. When it comes to teaching, you can’t quite replicate the same experience with “dump ingredient in and turn on”.)
Cupcakes are great for kids’ parties of course, so we made both a small layer cake and cupcakes. Scooping out the batter is a good job for kids, although if you are using the spring-loaded cookie scoops, you might need to help. We watched the cakes rise while we ate lunch, and it’s hard to beat the pride that came every time he excitedly exclaimed that we needed to look again because now they were taller.
Of course, being a kid with lots of things on his mind, he lost interest when it came time to decorate. Which made for the perfect opportunity to carry out the plan.
Did you know perfection is one of those words that works in different ways? I’m hardly a cake-decorating expert, but when I see this picture, all I think about is the love that went into it. Not how long it took to cut out the fondant circles for the bricks, but how my son’s eyes lit up when he saw the finished cake. Can we bottle that emotion? Because that is perfection.
I have become obsessed with self-rising flour lately, so I’m really happy to be able to spread the love to you. I’ve used it for everything, from biscuits to pancakes to quick bread to cake. Anything that requires less work on my part is great!
If you’ve never used cake enhancer, it makes cakes extra soft and moist, and the chocolate extract adds another kick of chocolate to cake and frosting without adding more cocoa powder or melted chocolate. Just use it in place of vanilla!
Reese's Peanut Butter Cake
Moist peanut butter cake with chocolate frosting
Ingredients
For the cake
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 3 cups 12 ounces King Arthur Self-Rising Flour
- 6 tablespoons King Arthur Flour Cake Enhancer
- 1 1/2 cups milk
For the frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons Nielson-Massey Chocolate Extract
- 4 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare cake pans: grease pans, lay a circle of parchment on the bottom, grease the parchment, and then flour pans. If making cupcakes just line tin with cupcake papers.
- In a large bowl cream together peanut butter, butter, and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs. In a small bowl mix flour and cake enhancer.
- Alternate stirring in flour and milk into butter mixture, starting and ending with flour, until batter is smooth.
- Pour into prepared pans and bake for 25-35 minutes, depending on size of pan, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool on a rack for five minutes, then remove from pans and finish cooling. (If you're in a hurry, tightly wrap the cakes in plastic wrap, then place in the freezer. The resulting steam will help keep them moist, and the freezer jaunt will make frosting easier.)
- To make the frosting, beat together butter, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder until well-mixed and fluffy. Beat in chocolate extract, and the milk a little bit at a time, until you get desired consistency. (You might not use all the milk, or you might need more.) Frost cakes, and store any extra in an airtight container in the fridge.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24Amount Per Serving: Calories: 300Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 82mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 1gSugar: 26gProtein: 5g
In case you were wondering: No, we did not bring a peanut butter-laden cake to his party. We made two cakes.
Disclaimer: I was provided with the same products as the giveaway for the purpose of review. I was not otherwise compensated for this post.
My favorite cake flavor is Strawberry and it’s awesome with King Arthur.
I liked Stetted on Facebook
I liked King Arthur Flour on Facebook
I followed King Arthur on Twitter via @MooshuJenne
Retweeted about the giveaway via @MooshuJenne
I like Stetted on Facebook
I follow King Arthur Flour on Twitter.
My favorite cake is cheesecake!
Oh man! You had me tearing up. I live those memories and they go by too too quick!
Thank for sharing these stories.
I tweeted this post.
First of all, that is just the greatest baby picture. He has the most expressive eyes.
My favorite cake flavor is Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake. It tastes like home to me. And I haven’t made one in far too long.
Happy Birthday, little man!
I follow King Arthur on twitter. I don’t do FB (the girls need some place I’m not).
I lurve you on Facebook!
I lurve King Arthur Flour on Facebook!
I follow you on twitter!
I like King Arthur Flour on Facebook.
Tweeted your giveaway. I need the markers! And the chocolate syrup sounds great! Oh and of course anything KA is superb.
I meant I follow KAF on twitter. But here also is my tweet. https://twitter.com/BluebonnetBaker/status/257880474905628674
I already have “liked” stetted cause your awesome. I have already “liked” King Arthur because they do make great flours and baking essentials. I have not followed “King Arthur” on twitter but I will do it now. Happy B-day R. That cake looks perfect! I bet it taste pretty perfect too. 🙂
I understand about babies growing up too fast…my youngest will be 9 next week! He has picked either the German choc. cake from the America’s test kitchen cookbook or their cheesecake. I would have to say coconut is my favorite!
I like you on facebook and I forgot to say that your lego cake is awesome!
Happy Birthday Reese! My favorite cake flavor is plain old boring vanilla (actually the recipe off the KAF cake flour box – it’s really good!)
Liked you on Facebook (how had I not done that already???)
Liked KAF
Tweeted!
My favorite flavor cake is a good vanilla cake!
Liked Stetted on Facebook
Like KAF on Facebook
I like white cake with white buttercream!
I follow King Arthur Flour on Twitter
I like your Facebook page.
I like King Arthur on Facebook.
I follow King Arthur on Twitter.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/257887797929709569
My how grown up he looks in that second picture!
I love lemon cakes!
I like “stetted” on FB!
Black Forest or German Chocolate are my favorites!
I’ve never actually made a cake without a stand mixer… I must try this recipe though, it looks absolutely amazing!
fan of KAF on fb
my favorite cake is a cream cheese pound cake….oooohhh…to die for…hide it from the family and eat it all by myself – kind of good!
and i like stetted on fb
What does the cake enhancer do on GF foods I wonder since it is GF itself?
@Ellie, based on some of the reviews of the product on the King Arthur website, it makes GF baked goods lighter and have a better texture. I have not yet tried it with GF recipes though I am eager to, especially since my past GF baking attempts turned out rather… bad.
Liked liked liked you!!!!! (cause I do!)
German Chocolate is my favorite cake flavor.
My favorite cake flavor is red velvet( the traditional way with beets)
Just found your website! I have a little one, Kai, who will be turning 5 soon, and also loves LEGOS, peanut butter, and to help cook. Favorite cake flavor is dark chocolate.
“Like” Stetted on Facebook. DONE!
“Like” King Arthur Flour on Facebook. DONE!!!
I don’t Twitter…yet…
My favorite flavor is chocolate
“Liked” King Arthur Flour
“Liked” Stetted on Facebook
Followed King Arthur Flour on Twitter and tweeted
Oh and my favorite cake? Dark chocolate with vanilla frosting. Add coconut and wow!
Favorite cake? At the moment it is bakewell tart, which is cake made with ground almonds in a pastry case with a layer of raspberry jam…..mmmmmm
Right now it is banana cake with cream cheese frosting.
This cake sounds delicious!!! A must for my baker/chef-on-on-the-side fiancé! My most favorite cake recently has been salted caramel. Perfect blend of salty and sweet. Yum!
I follow King Arthur Flour on Fb, love their massive baking tome! having some goods from them would make my fall!
Chocolate cake with chocolate filling and chocolate icing. Dipped in chocolate. 🙂
Like Stetted check (love stetted <3)
Like King Arthur check
Tweeted Post check
Follow @kingarthurflour check
I love a peanut butter cake with chocolate chips topped with a fudgy frosting. Thanks for the chance to enter.
I am a facebook fan of yours. Thanks for the chance to enter.
I am a facebook fan of King Arthur Flour. Thanks for the chance to enter.
i love Carrot Cake with raisens and Cream Cheese Icing!
Thank you for this opportunity!
I like vanilla cake
https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/258214885949837313
Carrot cake with homemade cream cheese frosting.
I always enjoy a moist banana cake!
love chocolate cake with chocolate frosting thanks
like KA fb Julie A Scott Laws
like u on fb Julie A Scott Laws
My favorite cake is a Maple Black Walnut layer cake. Brings back memories of a great bakery that was near our apartment growing up years ago. The bakery was gone during urban renewal and everyone missed that one particular cake forever. I finally decided to make it myself and now hubby and I enjoy it all the time when we crave some good old fashioned sweets.
Liked on FACEBOOK.
peanut butter cake is definitely my fave!
Favorite cake to make for a crowd is a chocolate stout cake with chocolate espresso buttercream. I’ll be experimenting with chocolate/peanut butter when I make my wedding cake, though!
True gingerbread for me, extra dense and moist with tons of fresh ginger.
“Liked” stetted on FB.
Liked Stetted on Facebook.
Already like King Arthur Flour on FB.
“Liked” King Arthur on FB. I realized how awesome the products are when I first used their bread flour instead of my old brand and had about 1/3 more rise!
Already following KAF on Twitter (@squirrelbread).
Tweeted the giveaway as well (@squirrelbread).
Following KA on Twitter, also.
Red velvet with cream cheese frosting.
Lemon cake with Lemon buttercream and fresh raspberries.
I follow King Arthur on twitter
I would have to say that a spice cake aka apple, carrot, etc. would be my favorite cake flavor. But Chocolate ALMosT ties.
I follow stetted on FB
I follow KAF on FB.
Tweeted about this adorable cake and beautiful Boy! His eyes haven’t changed at alll. Cutie
I follow KAF on Twitter.
Chocolate!
I follow KAF!
I like carrot cake
Ooh, I love giveaways! My favorite cake flavor is…that’s too difficult! Banana chocolate chip holds a special place in my heart because that was our wedding cake flavor. I also love red velvet- and cinnamon swirl crumb cake 🙂
I like you on Facebook (Elena F.)
I like King Arthur Flour on Facebook (Elena F.)
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/258703982015434752
I’m following you on FB 🙂
Liked King Arthur Flour on FB!
I’m now following King Arthur on Twitter 🙂
I love Coconut cake.
well, now I wanna try Reese’s Peanut Butter cake! My favorite cake right now is: banana bread with mini reese’s peanut butter cups inside! be careful not to let them sink to the bottom of the pan!
& liked your site, already like KA! King Arthur flour is THE best bread flour.
Now that we’re in the fall season, definitely pumpkin-flavored cake!
My favorite is almond cake made with marzipan…really sweet!!
I just love this so much! The baby photo, baking together, and your sentiments on cake-making for kids. You’re an awesome mom!
Awesome that you’re letting him help in the kitchen. My kids helped me in the kitchen from the time they were old enough to push a chair across the kitchen to watch. They are all grow up now and are both really good cooks! They started out baking, too!
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