If you have a love for peanut butter and crave something moist, rich, and irresistibly sweet, this Peanut Butter Sheet Cake with Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. Imagine a soft, tender cake packed with peanut buttery goodness, topped with a luscious, silky frosting that melts in your mouth. It’s the perfect dessert to share with family, friends, or your favorite coffee companion, combining comfort and indulgence in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, this cake brings that nostalgic, warm feeling with every forkful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Peanut Butter Sheet Cake with Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe calls for simple ingredients you likely already have on hand. Each component plays a crucial role in crafting the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and that unforgettable peanut butter taste.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the structure and tenderness for a light, fluffy cake.
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps to tenderize the crumb.
- 1 tbsp baking powder: Ensures the cake rises beautifully to a soft, airy texture.
- ½ tsp salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Brings richness and moistness to the batter.
- 1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter: Infuses the cake with deep, nutty flavor—choose creamy for smoothness or crunchy for extra texture.
- 3 large eggs: Binds the ingredients together and adds structure.
- 1 cup milk: Keeps the batter moist and helps blend the flavors.
- For the Frosting:
- 2 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and creates the perfect frosting consistency.
- ½ cup peanut butter: The star that transforms the frosting into a creamy peanut butter lover’s dream.
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened: Gives the frosting a smooth, luscious texture.
- 2 tbsp milk: Adjusts the frosting consistency to be spreadable and silky.
How to Make Peanut Butter Sheet Cake with Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly. This preparation step is important to make sure your cake slides out easily once baked and keeps its perfect shape.
Step 2: Mixing the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. This step evenly distributes all the dry ingredients, ensuring that your cake will rise uniformly and have a balanced sweetness.
Step 3: Creaming Butter and Peanut Butter
In another bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with the peanut butter. Beat them until the mixture is light and fluffy; this process aerates the butter and peanut butter, resulting in a tender crumb after baking. Then add the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next, followed by the milk for a smooth, cohesive batter.
Step 4: Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet peanut butter mixture. Stir gently just until everything is blended—overmixing can lead to a denser cake, and we want this one delightfully tender and soft.
Step 5: Baking the Cake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before moving on to the frosting.
Step 6: Preparing and Applying the Frosting
Now for the star of the show: the creamy frosting. Whisk together powdered sugar, peanut butter, softened butter, and milk until smooth and silky. Adjust the milk if you want a thinner or thicker consistency. Slather this decadent frosting generously over your cooled sheet cake for that perfect finish.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Sheet Cake with Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Want to jazz up your treat? A sprinkle of chopped peanuts or a drizzle of melted chocolate over the frosting adds exciting texture and visual appeal. Even a dusting of cocoa powder or a few mini peanut butter cups broken into pieces can make every slice feel like a celebration.
Side Dishes
This cake pairs wonderfully with classic vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance its richness. For a snack with a twist, try serving it alongside a fresh fruit salad—the sweetness and acidity contrast beautifully with the dense peanut butter flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the sheet cake into bite-sized squares and serve on a platter for parties or potlucks. For an eye-catching dessert, stack slices with layers of whipped cream and fresh berries in a trifle dish. You could even use cookie cutters to shape individual pieces for themed celebrations.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once frosted, you can store your leftover cake covered tightly at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, keep it in the fridge to maintain freshness and avoid any risk of spoilage.
Freezing
This Peanut Butter Sheet Cake with Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe freezes beautifully. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to three months, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating
Reheat slices gently at room temperature or use a microwave for about 15-20 seconds if you prefer warm cake, which enhances the creamy frosting’s melt-in-your-mouth effect. Just be careful not to overheat, or you might lose that perfect texture.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes! Crunchy peanut butter adds a delightful texture to the cake and frosting, giving you little peanutty bursts in every bite.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely. Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, but keep an eye on the moisture content as gluten-free flours can vary.
How long does this cake stay fresh?
When stored properly in an airtight container, the cake stays fresh for about 2-3 days at room temperature and up to a week in the fridge.
Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?
You can, but natural peanut butter sometimes separates and is less sweet, so consider adding a bit more sugar or blending it well before using for consistent texture.
Does the cake freeze better before or after frosting?
It’s best to freeze the cake unfrosted. Add the frosting after thawing to maintain the freshest, creamiest topping possible.
Final Thoughts
This Peanut Butter Sheet Cake with Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe is a definite must-try for any peanut butter lover craving a homemade treat. It feels like a warm hug in cake form, with every forkful delivering that rich, nostalgic satisfaction. I promise, once you make and share this cake, it will quickly become a beloved staple in your dessert repertoire. Happy baking and even happier indulging!
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Peanut Butter Sheet Cake with Creamy Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic Peanut Butter Sheet Cake is a rich and moist dessert perfect for peanut butter lovers. Featuring a tender cake base combined with creamy peanut butter frosting, it’s easy to make and perfect for gatherings or an everyday treat.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
Frosting Ingredients
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening.
- Cream wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and peanut butter together until light and fluffy. Then beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the milk, mixing until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until the batter is combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and frost: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan. For the frosting, beat together powdered sugar, peanut butter, softened butter, and milk until smooth and creamy. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
Notes
- Use either creamy or crunchy peanut butter based on your texture preference.
- Make sure the cake is fully cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- For a more intense peanut butter flavor, use natural peanut butter with no added sugar.
- Store cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
