Rich and moist chocolate cake is topped with the most amazing peanut butter buttercream frosting – a chocolate peanut butter lover’s dream cake!
Happy Birthday to Chez CateyLou! Our little blog is one year old today. I actually can’t believe it has been an entire year!! Time really flies. I have learned so much this past year – about photography, cooking, food styling, blogging, social media – the list goes on and on! A year ago I wasn’t even on Pinterest – now, it is our number one source of traffic to the blog. I didn’t even know what DSLR meant (ok I can’t lie – I just had to google what DSLR actually stands for) and now my fancy camera is one of my favorite possessions. I even named it, or her to be exact. Her name is Cécile – my French camera for my French blog name – and she has become a member of the family (and now you all know how weird I really am)!
But thank you for sticking with me and reading all of my posts. You, my dear readers, are the reason that this little blog is around and that I continue to work so hard at it each and every day. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
And now it is time for cake. With peanut butter buttercream frosting. Oh yes.
I am so excited for my blog’s birthday that I am going to have a two day celebration. Tomorrow is a little flashback to my very first post but today, we have cake! I decided that of course we needed cake to celebrate the birthday, because what is a birthday without cake? And then I realized that an entire year has passed (which means at least two birthdays Chez CateyLou) and I have not actually made a cake! Sure I’ve made cupcakes and coffee cakes. But not a good old fashioned layer cake. Well, I have fixed that today!
And this is not just any boring cake – this is a cake with our absolute favorite flavor combo – chocolate and peanut butter. Only the best for the first birthday party!!!
The chocolate cake recipe is from Ina Garten. It is a classic chocolate cake – light and fluffy, full of chocolate flavor, and so moist. It has the absolute perfect layer cake texture! And it is so easy make. The original recipe calls for a full cup of coffee. Coffee brings out the flavor in chocolate, but I didn’t want to actually taste coffee. After reading some reviews I decided to use ⅔ cup coffee and ⅓ cup of hot water – and there was not even a hint of coffee flavor! But the chocolate really did shine, so I think the coffee is a great addition.
The frosting is a classic buttercream, with the addition of a cup of peanut butter. Now I am not really an frosing person. Those shots of frosting that you see at cupcake stores in NYC (I’m looking at you Butter Lane)? I always thought they seemed kind of gross. Until I tried this peanut butter frosting. OMG. This stuff is SO good. Dangerously good. I kept going back to the icing bowl for just one more taste…. I guess there is a reason that I only make cake once a year!
The combo of the rich peanut butter frosting and the fluffy chocolate cake is out of this world. TheBetterHalf, who is the world’s biggest chocolate peanut butter fan, was in heaven. That giant piece you see? He ate the whole thing. He was literally staring at me during the whole photoshoot just waiting until he could take a bite!! Not that I’m judging at all – I had already had about 4 spoonfuls of frosting before I even started taking pictures.
This really is the best possible dessert I can think of to celebrate a great year of blogging. I can’t wait to see what the next year brings for Chez CateyLou!
Rich and moist chocolate cake is topped with the most amazing peanut butter buttercream frosting - a chocolate peanut butter lover's dream cake!
Ingredients
- Butter, for greasing the pans
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 3/4 cups cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup buttermilk, shaken and at room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee (or 2/3 cup coffee mixed with 1/3 cup of water)
- 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter (don't use natural - I used JIF)
- 1 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch x 2-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.
- Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, then mix on low speed until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
- With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the coffee and stir just to combine. Give a final stir with a rubber spatula to make sure the bottom and sides are fully incorporated.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean.
- Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Add the butter and peanut butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk at medium-high speed until smooth, about 20 seconds.
- Add confectioners' sugar and salt and beat at medium-low speed for about 45 seconds, until the sugar is moistened. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then mix at medium speed until the sugar is fully incorporated, about 15 seconds.
- Add the vanilla and cream and beat at medium speed until combined, about 10 seconds.
- Increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down the bowl a few times during mixing.
- Place 1 layer of the cake on a flat plate or cake stand. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake. Garnish with sprinkles as desired.
Notes
Chocolate cake recipe adapted from Ina Garten. Frosting recipe from Cook's Illustrated. Icing can be made a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate. When ready to use, allow it to come to room temperature.
Wow, the cake looks amazing! Congrats on your first year of blogging- I’ve really enjoyed reading all your amazing recipes.
Thank you so much, Jess! I just had a big slice and it was not bad 🙂
Happy 1st Birthday! Looking forward to what’s in store for Chez Catey Lou and Cecile in the upcoming year! Mmmm, cake 🙂
Thank you so much, Chris!
What a wonderful cake! Happy anniversary! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for the upcoming year 🙂
Thanks, Nora! I’m looking forward to year 2!
Congratulations!! I’ve really enjoying reading your blog over the past few weeks too and will definitely be following along during your second year! What a beautiful cake to celebrate with! It looks like it’s got such a rich chocolatey flavour and I love the sound of the peanutty frosting! Hope you enjoy it!
Thanks, Helen! I really am enjoying this cake…that is a lot of cake for two people! I’m so glad that you found my blog and thank you for reading! It means so much to me!
Happy Blog Birthday! I love checking it out and getting inspired! Nice work C & A! xo
Thanks, J! We miss you! xo
Congrats Cateylou !!! Love reading your posts and so excited to know you share a bday with my baby Trent ! 16 today and I must make him a cake from YOUR posts !
Happy Birthday !! Keep up the good work …..STL gayegaye
Thank you so much, GayeGaye! Happy birthday to Trent!!! What a great day of the year 🙂
Happy birthday! That cake is gorgeous! I want to do shots of the frosting 🙂 And gorgeous first pic!
Thank you so much, Faith!! Frosting shots all around for this birthday party!
Congratulations and happy 1st birthday! I know a few people that are celebrating their one year blog birthdays this week too – that is awesome 🙂 The cake is gorgeous and sounds amazing! Here’s to many more years 🙂
Thanks, Kelly! This must be a popular week to start a blog!!
Many congratulations, your blog is one of my favourites to read. I look forward to reading your future posts. Not forgetting your cake it looks really delicious.
Thank you so much, Julie! It means so much to me to hear that!
You are so adorable, and have enjoyed your blog soooooo much!
Thank you so much, Linda! We are so happy that you enjoy it!!
HAPPY Blogaversary!! Mine is coming up as well, time does fly! Cake is the best was to celebrate anything.
Time really does fly, Tracy! Thank you so much!
Happy blogging birthday!! That cake looks amazing – I love the rich dark color!
Thank you so much!
happy one year blogiversary! this cake looks delicious. the chocolate and peanut butter combo is one of my faves too.
🙂 g-rae
Thank you so much!! Chocolate and PB is the best!
Happy blogiversary, Cate! I have loved checking out your recipes and working with you this year. Here’s to another great year!
Thank you so much, Katie! Looking forward to the next year, and to unveiling my new logo 🙂
Your cake looks delicious! I can totally eat that in a day or two (cake is my weakness). I’m glad to have met you through here and look forward to seeing many more of your wonderful treats 🙂 Happy Blogiversary!
Thanks Connie! One of my favorite things about blogging is meeting wonderful people like you!! And that cake disappeared quickly…
A whole year Cate! Congrats! Now all I can think is “why have I not named my camera???”
Also, love the shot of the frosting on the whisk 🙂
Thanks, Karen! I can’t believe it has been a whole year!!! You should definitely name your camera!!
Can I just say, I admire your willpower for not eating that entire bowl of frosting. I’m not sure I could be so strong. Chocolate and peanut butter is pure perfection and this cake looks sublime! Oh, and happy blog birthday!
Thank you, Lily!!! It was difficult to stop eating it 🙂
it looks delicious!
Thanks, Dina!
Congrats on the 1st year anniversary! I love your posts…keep ’em coming! (P.S. This chocolate cake needs to be in my kitchen right now. Can you drop one in the mail to me? Thanks!)
Thank you so much, David! Sending one your way now 🙂
Happy happy blog anniversary!!! I’m so glad (and lucky) that I found your blog because it’s a favorite of mine. I always look forward to your recipes and I’m convinced at the moment I need to pick up a donut pan just so I can make your recipes. This cake is perfect for celebrating a great first year and to usher in the new! Here’s to many many more great recipes and times in year 2!!
Thank you so much, Zainab! One of the best things about starting the blog is meeting people like you!! I adore your blog too and can’t wait to see what the next year brings for us! xo
Congratulations Cate! I cannot wait for this next year of ChezCateyLou – you’ve set the bar high! I mean, just look at this cake. Wow. It is impressive and the flavor combo can’t be beat! What a wonderful way to celebrate!
Thanks, Mary Frances! You are always so sweet and I just love reading your comments (and I love reading your blog too!!)
happy blog birthday!! that cake sounds fabulous!!
Thanks, Sarah!!
Congrats on the anniversary darling!! You’re doing an awesome job here, your blog is truly fantastic and your recipes are 100% drool-worthy!
Like this cake, which has me wanting to lick my screen hehe. Chocolate + peanut butter??? Dessert heaven! I need this in my life as soon as possible! xx
Thank you so much Consuelo! It means so much to hear your kind words!
I’ve just discovered your blog, but many congratulations anyway! that cake it’s great… I’ll pin it straight away!
I’m so happy that you found my blog! Thank you so much for the kind words, and thanks for pinning!!