This moist and flavorful Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cake brings together the rich taste of peanut butter with a tender, buttery crumb, all topped with a creamy peanut butter frosting. It’s the perfect dessert for peanut butter lovers and a delightful treat for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich Peanut Butter Flavor – A perfect balance of nutty, sweet, and buttery goodness.
- Moist and Tender – The buttermilk ensures a soft and fluffy texture.
- Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting – A luscious, smooth topping that complements the cake beautifully.
- Classic and Nostalgic – A homemade treat reminiscent of old-fashioned bakery cakes.
- Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and steps make it perfect for both beginners and seasoned bakers.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Prepare the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Prepare the Frosting
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and peanut butter until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Assemble the Cake
- Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
- Slice and serve.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Servings: 12
Variations
- Crunchy Peanut Butter Cake – Use crunchy peanut butter for added texture.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Twist – Swirl melted chocolate into the batter or drizzle over the frosting.
- Nutty Topping – Sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts on top of the frosting for extra crunch.
- Layered Cake – Bake in two 8-inch round cake pans for a layered version with extra frosting between layers.
- Peanut Butter Cup Cake – Add chopped peanut butter cups into the batter for a decadent treat.
Storage/Reheating
- Room Temperature – Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigeration – Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days for extended freshness.
- Freezing – Freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
- Reheating – If serving cold, let the cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.
FAQs
Can I use natural peanut butter?
Yes, but it may slightly change the texture. Make sure to stir it well before using.
What can I use instead of buttermilk?
You can make a substitute by mixing 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
Can I make this into cupcakes?
Yes! Divide the batter into muffin tins and bake for about 18-20 minutes.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, just reduce the added salt in the recipe.
How do I make the frosting less sweet?
Reduce the powdered sugar slightly or add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend designed for baking.
Why did my cake turn out dry?
Overbaking can dry out the cake. Check for doneness at 30 minutes and remove from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out clean.
Can I add bananas to this recipe?
Yes! Mashed bananas pair well with peanut butter and add extra moisture. Reduce the buttermilk slightly if adding bananas.
How do I make this into a sheet cake for a party?
Bake in a larger pan (such as an 11×15-inch pan) and reduce the baking time slightly.
Can I use almond or cashew butter instead?
Yes, but the flavor will be different. Peanut butter gives the best classic taste.
Conclusion
Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cake is a nostalgic, rich, and satisfying dessert that’s easy to make and sure to please any peanut butter lover. Whether served at family gatherings, special occasions, or as an everyday treat, this moist cake with its creamy frosting is a true crowd-pleaser. Try out different variations and enjoy a slice of homemade peanut butter goodness!
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Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cake
This Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cake is rich, moist, and topped with a creamy peanut butter frosting. A nostalgic, homemade dessert that’s easy to make and perfect for peanut butter lovers. Ideal for family gatherings, birthdays, or any sweet craving!
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
Prepare the Frosting:
- In a bowl, cream together butter and peanut butter until smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, beating until light and fluffy.
Assemble the Cake:
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
- Slice and serve!
Notes
- For a crunchy texture, use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy.
- For a chocolate twist, drizzle melted chocolate or swirl it into the batter.
- To reduce sweetness, add a pinch of salt to the frosting.
- For a layered cake, divide batter into two 8-inch round cake pans and frost between layers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
