You may remember that I was lucky enough to be selected as one of fifteen Foodbuzz featured publishers headed to NYC for an event to raise awareness for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, sponsored by Electrolux. The event (which is now less than two weeks away!) is a cake decorating event, and we will be learning techniques from a skilled pastry chef and doing some decorating of our own (more details to come soon…). Anyone who enjoys baking would be thrilled, but I am especially excited about the event because I recently agreed to make the cake for my brother’s wedding in December!
I need all of the practice I can get, so I have been taking every opportunity to do some cake decorating. Last weekend was my mom’s birthday, so I offered to make her a cake. She requested a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting, and I was happy to oblige. For the cake, I used my standard chocolate cake recipe – the same recipe I used for my mocha espresso cupcakes. Simply double the cupcake recipe and bake in two 9-inch round cake pans (for about 40 – 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean). Don’t worry about the coffee in the recipe. It enhances the chocolate flavor, but the cake won’t taste like coffee at all!
I was really pleased with how the peanut butter frosting turned out this time around, so I thought I’d share the recipe with you. It’s a perfect creamy icing for frosting a cake. You can add a bit more powdered sugar to stiffen it up a bit for piping, too. The recipe yields just enough to crumb coat and frost a two-layer 9-inch round cake.
Peanut Butter Frosting
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup of half and half, to consistency
Combine the butter, peanut butter, and vanilla bean paste in the bowl of an electric mixer. Using the whisk attachment, whip the butter, peanut butter, and vanilla bean paste until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, and whip until it is incorporated. The mixture will be stiff. Gradually add the half and half, mixing on medium-high, until the icing is light and fluffy and is the right consistency for spreading.
That cake looks lovely, but the peanut butter frosting, oh my! I haven’t had any for a long time, and now I need some. Takes me back to my sixth birthday. Can’t remember the cake, but the frosting was peanut butter, and I remember that like it was yesterday. Thanks for reviving an early food memory.
Absolutely gorgeous!
I wish I lived closer. Have fun. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Oh my! That frosting sounds delightful! I’m so jealous that you get to attend a cake decorating event – I hope that you’ll share some of the techniques you learn!
Sounds spectacular. I love peanut butter frosting, I’ve made it myself with great results. I’ll have to try your recipe, I’m sure it’s awesome too. ;)
This is great. I now have another option for frosting aside from the usual buttercream. Nicely done!!
What a scrumptious-looking cake! Happy belated birthday to your mom!
WOW…what a great design on your cake! Very unique and yummy looking too. I had a craving for peanut frosting this week too!
This is great. It’s cute!
Your cakie is cutie pie…jus like ya and yeah ur frosting makes me crave a jar of skippy rite away….
OOhhh what a fancy piping your cake got there, the frosting sounds so good, not sure mine would make it to the cake…
That is the most beautiful cake! I don’t normally like peanut butter, but I think that’s one recipe I’m going to have to try
You did that?! Nuh uh, stop lying! How gorgeous is that cake?!?!?!??
…Can I have a piece? :o)
So pretty!
I LOVE peanut butter frosting…have fun at the Foodbuzz cake decorating event- can’t wait to hear all about it!
The cake is beautious! Who can keep with a diet around here??? ;) Congrats on being selected to go NYC for such a great cause.
The cake is beautious! Who can keep up with a diet around here??? ;) Congrats on being selected to go NYC for such a great cause.
Jen,
This is gorgeous!! I am so happy that you are on my team for NYC :D
Hmmmm – chocolate and peanut butter. Love, love, love.
You’re going to have a blast in NY! Your cake decorating skills are far better than ours.
Yummy! I can’t wait to try this out. My co-worker is a peanut- butter fanatic and her birthday is coming up. Now I know what to make for her gathering! Thanks!
Oh, YUM!!! There is no better combo than chocolate and peanut butter! I’m drooling. I’m definitely trying this. Any chance it’ll fit into my diet? =)