Peanut Butter Snack Cake with Bittersweet Ganache ~ a moist dense peanut butter cake topped off with the most decadent chocolate frosting imaginable…
How many ways can you combine peanut butter and chocolate? The answer is lots, and I haven’t even begin to scratch the surface.
When I’m hungry for something sweet, this is the kind of thing I make for myself. Guilt doesn’t play into it at all, and despite that thick layer of bittersweet chocolate ganache it’s not even decadent as desserts go, I’d call it an innocent splurge. That’s why they call it a snack cake :)
This is an easy cake that you don’t even need a mixer for. A whisk and your favorite bowl will do just fine.
The ganache frosting is even easier. Bitterswweet chocolate and hot cream blend together to make the glossiest concoction ever. Use chocolate chips or chop up your best chocolate, either way works. Ganache is almost magical the way it starts out thin and drippy and as it cools the pourable liquid chocolate thickens into a melt-in-your-mouth truffle consistency. Ganache is my favorite way to experience chocolate, you get the most bang for your buck.
Fair warning, you might want to make a double batch.
The cake is peanut buttery and dense, with a moist fudgy consistency. I like to keep it in the fridge, that way the ganache stays nice and firm. Each bite is a little bit of heaven. Enjoy!
Peanut Butter Snack Cake with Bittersweet Ganache ~ a moist dense peanut butter cake topped off with the most decadent chocolate frosting imaginable...
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 heaping cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Set oven to 350F
- Spray a 9x9 baking pan lightly with cooking spray.
- In a mixing bowl blend together the butter, peanut butter, and boiling water until it is completely combined and smooth. (The butter will melt and the mixture will be thin)
- Beat in the egg, sour cream, and vanilla.
- Sift in the flour, sugar, and baking soda and mix until well combined, but don't over-beat.
- Spread into the pan and bake for about 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out withut wet batter on it.
- Cool before frosting.
- To make the frosting, heat the cream in a saucepan just until it comes to a boil. Take the pan off the heat and add the chocolate. Let it sit for a few minutes, then gently stir until all the chocolate has melted and it is smooth and glossy .
- Let the ganache cool a little so it thickens slightly. I stirred it every few minutes, and when it had thickened a bit I poured it over the cake.
- Refrigerate the cake until the ganache has set.
Notes
The cake portion of this recipe is adapted from Eat 2 Gather
Don’t forget to pin this Peanut Butter Snack Cake with Bittersweet Ganache!
18 Comments
Leslie
June 2, 2015 at 8:21 amMade them once and loved them so much I had to make them a second time! So yummy!
Sue
June 2, 2015 at 8:24 amGlad to hear it, thanks leslie!
Kate
February 26, 2015 at 8:09 amSue, love this recipe, can it be doubled and baked in 9×13 pan?
Sue
February 26, 2015 at 8:23 amI don’t think you should have trouble doing that Kate, but be careful to watch it as it cooks and take it out of the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out clean!
Kate
February 27, 2015 at 12:57 pmThanks! I’ll let you know.
Kate
March 1, 2015 at 2:18 pmThe recipe doubles beautifully. I make in 9×13 and baked about 5 minutes longer (40 minutes+). It disappeared! Thanks.
Sue
March 1, 2015 at 2:26 pmOh I’m so glad you took the time to let us know, I bet a lot of people will want to do that…thanks Kate!!
SusanR
January 25, 2015 at 10:14 amBreaking out my bowl and whisk today! This sounds wonderful and easy too.
Your blog has become one of my favorites. The photgraphs are stunning and the commentary always gives me a chuckle. Thank you.
Sue
January 25, 2015 at 10:36 amThanks Susan! I sure appreciate the support <3
grace
January 18, 2015 at 1:23 pmthis looks dense and delicious, sue! the pb and chocolate combo is never disappointing. for the record, ganache is definitely my favorite frosting to make (and probably eat, too!). :)
Sue
January 18, 2015 at 3:30 pmNothing compares, does it?
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
January 16, 2015 at 4:30 pmThese are peanut butter/chocolate perfection! (And I would love them cold from the fridge, too!)
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
January 16, 2015 at 1:06 pmI love that thick layer of ganache, what a perfect snack cake!
Katie @ Beyond the Clothing
January 16, 2015 at 12:25 pmoh my…. that Ganache! Hubby’s birthday is Monday, which means cake is a requirement this weekend right? This will be perfect. But I wonder what he’ll eat.
xoxo
Katie
Monique
January 16, 2015 at 10:26 amOoh ..that cannot be too bad can it?:)
Angie@Angie's+Recipes
January 16, 2015 at 7:01 amLove that thick layer of ganache topping! Yum!
Sue
January 16, 2015 at 8:34 amI know :)