Sunday, February 10, 2008

Chocolate Fudge Cake with Peanut Butter Ganache

Chocolate Fudge Cake with Peanut Butter GanacheI've got to put in a disclaimer here: I'm not big on peanut butter. I like it fine, I just don't crave it or use it to fill my snacking urges.

HOWEVER, this cake changes that. It's the dark chocolate that does it I'm sure--it's always the chocolate's fault isn't it?--because this cake has just enough of a hint of peanut butter to give it a little something unique and unexpected. You know, some variety. But not too much so that it's overwhelming. It's made with a box mix as a base which makes it easy, though I'm not so sure that you're going to get away with it being low-calorie too.

It was immediately pronounced a winner by all and the frosting is just one big truffle with a hint of peanut butter. Nothing says "Be mine" like a truffle cake--oh it's good.

1 box devil’s food cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups peanut butter and milk chocolate swirled chips
1 ½ cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons butter
½ cup peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar

Grease two round cake pans. Then in a bowl combine the cake mix, eggs, buttermilk and vegetable oil, mixing on high for two minutes. Stir in peanut butter/milk chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and cool on a wire rack.

In a small saucepan melt the butter, chocolate chips, cream and sugar. Stir constantly until smooth and melted. Stir in peanut butter and bring to a gentle boil. Cool. If needed, place in freezer, stirring every ten or fifteen minutes until it reaches spreadable consistency then frost cake in between the layers and over the outside, garnishing with extra peanut butter/milk chocolate chips.

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38 comments:

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Michelle,
I love chocolate cakes. I really do. It's just a pity that I don't know how to bake that's why I just contend myself with the commercial ones. But they don't taste as good as a freshly baked chocolate cake. Thanks for the post. It made me drool. He, he, he, *lol* Thanks for the yummy post. God bless you and your family always.

Swati said...

Hi Michelle

Seeing you in a long time...was so caught up with other things..
I am bowled over seeing your choc cake here..looks so tempting!!
Do have a look at the doll cake I made for my daughter whenever you can.
Thanks
Swati

jennwa said...

That looks and sounds terrific.

luvmy4sons said...

Yum, Yum! I LOVE chocolate! That looks fabulous. I am not big on peanutbutter watering down my chocolate. I will have to see!

Melissa Markham said...

That looks really, really, really yummy! Might have to make that for Valentine's day:)

Anonymous said...

Oh . . . . too yummy! Thanks for sharing!

Amber M. said...

You're killin' me, Michelle! Chocolate? Peanut butter? I'm saving this one for after Lent:-)

Beck said...

I can't believe how good that sounds! I could adapt it easily for The Baby, too, which is ALWAYS nice. Wonderful!

Anonymous said...

I'm drooling over this one. I only eat peanut butter when there's chocolate involved. Mmmmm, looks delicious!

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

Oh my goodness. That is just too beautiful.

Steph

Anonymous said...

ya had me at "peanut butter ganache"

Montserrat said...

I am a huge sucker for anything chocolate (of course). Add peanut butter and I am in heaven!

I am Arizona; a person, not a place. said...

Oh, peanut butter and chocolate is my fave! But this looks like it would require 20 hours on a treadmill to work off so I'm just going to drool over the photo!

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

I'm not a peanut butter fan, either, but looking at that picture of the ganache is making me drool, so perhaps it's fine to reconsider....

Anonymous said...

This looks luscious. I love chocolate and peanut butter together!

Julie said...

I wonder how many pieces I could eat and still fit in my pants?

I'll let ya know.

Anonymous said...

Oh. My. God. Okay I'm going to the store to get the ingredients for this. Right now. Holy crap. :)

Anonymous said...

Seriously...peanut butter & chocolate swirl chips?? Sounds like another of those American products we can't get in Canada. They would be so yummy in oatmeal cookies. Lisa

Anonymous said...

Yes, just like all of you I'm a chocolate addict and since I read the recipe and saw the photo there's a robot-like voice in my head saying "must eat this, must eat this" :).

Anonymous said...

Oh, my goodness. I'm drooling all over my keyboard.

An Ordinary Mom said...

I might just have to give this one a whirl for Cory's birthday this week ... the chocolate is calling my name :) !!

Irene said...

Oh my...that looks incredible. There is NO dessert that I like more than one that includes peanut butter AND chocolate. That is heaven to me. I am definitely bookmarking this page for future reference...like maybe tomorrow.

The problem is, my husband and kids (who are little) don't eat much of the cakes I make. So it is usually me who ends up eating most of it. And this cake looks WAY too tempting to resist. I would be in BIG trouble.

Yes, my mouth is actually watering at this very moment....yummmmm

Beth Cotell said...

I think my husband would marry me all over again if I made him this cake!

jubilee said...

Oh. My. Word. I gained five pounds just by reading the recipe.

Lesli said...

Oh man - that cake looks so good I'm drooling!!! I can't wait to try this recipe!!!

owlfan said...

Sounds wonderful. I'm drooling here.

Is there something special about buttermilk in the cake or can I make my favorite chocolate cake and just add the chips to it? And of course the luscious icing!

Scribbit said...

Katherine--the buttermilk gives it a nice moistness and tang that you don't get from just plain old water. However, a tip for working around the buttermilk is to use one cup milk + one tablespoon vinegar. Let it set for a couple minutes so it can sour and you're good to go.

Amy said...

Boy, does that look good. I love a cake that is made with a cake mix and additions to it. It makes the process go a little bit quicker, that is why I am such a big fan of those Cake Doctor books.

Your picture is great!

Crissybug said...

Oh my goodness! This looks like the best combination ever!!! I am going to have to go and make this!

threesidesofcrazy said...

I'm so glad to have stumbled upon your site and I can't wait to try this recipe!

Theresa said...

Oh my, I'm featured in the same week as this fabulous peanut butter cake. How did you know it's my favorite? My son's allergic to peanuts, so we can't have any in the house. He's always "making" me peanut buttery things in his kitchen 'cuz he knows how much I love the stuff. Anyway, thanks so much. You'll be happy to know it's warmed up here. I think it's actually 7 above right now.

Islandsparrow said...

oh my glory...

you're trying to kill us.

:)

Susan from Food Blogga said...

After reading your prior post about all the things you love, I thought we were long lost sisters, Michelle. The opera, the classic films, the quest for good jeans. But now, you tell me you're not crazy about peanut butter?! I don't understand. How, how can you not love peanut butter? Aaaaaaaa!

I'd feel so much better right now if I had a piece of that cake.

The Texas Bakers said...

I made this cake for an activity at church this weekend. The frosting was so good, I could NOT stop tasting it. Thanks for posting such an excellent recipe.

Anonymous said...

I made the cake today for a friend's birthday and it got rave reviews. The frosting is indescribably delicous. Wow. Thank you so much for posting the recipe!!!
- Kate

Melody said...

I've been looking for a good chocolate & peanut butter cake recipe and I think I found it!! My question is, does it matter if I use creamy or chunky peanut butter? I have some chunky that I need to use up, but I'm wondering if creamy would be better for the texture of the ganche?

Anonymous said...

Oh, my goodness. I could devour that whole thing!!! Okay, I couldn't...but it looks awesome.

Unknown said...

This cake looks delicious!! I'm going to make it for a friend's birthday. Do you recall if you used 9 or 10 inch pans?