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A Peanut Butter Cake with creamy, light brown frosting spread smoothly on top, set elegantly on parchment paper.

Easy Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

Peanut butter cake is a dessert that never lets you down—simple ingredients, big flavor, and a creamy icing that’s pure perfection. It’s an easy recipe anyone can tackle, whether you’re baking for a family dinner or a crowd. Best of all, you can make it ahead or freeze it, so it’s always ready when you need it. It’s the kind of cake that gets rave reviews every time and keeps people coming back for more.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Peanut Butter Cake
Servings: 12
Calories: 571kcal
Author: Mandy Applegate

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ cup peanut butter

For the Icing:

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180ºC (350°F) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and baking soda. Add the milk, eggs, and vanilla extract, and beat on low speed using an electric mixer until smooth and well combined.
    2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups white sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ cup milk, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the water, butter, vegetable oil, and peanut butter. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is completely smooth, about 5 minutes.
    1 cup water, ½ cup butter, ½ cup vegetable oil, ½ cup peanut butter
  • Gradually pour the warm peanut butter mixture into the bowl with the batter. Stir until everything is fully incorporated and smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

For the icing:

  • Melt the butter and peanut butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until smooth.
    ½ cup butter, ½ cup peanut butter
  • Add the milk and vanilla extract, then whisk in the powdered sugar until you achieve a creamy consistency, about 3-5 minutes. Add a little extra milk if needed to make it pourable.
    ⅓ cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 4 ¾ cups confectioners' sugar
  • Pour the icing over the warm cake and spread it evenly with a spatula. Let it cool and set before slicing and serving. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Measure carefully: Too much flour can make the cake dense. Level off your flour with a knife for the most accurate measurement.
  • Use creamy peanut butter: Stick with creamy, processed peanut butter for the best texture. Natural peanut butter with separated oil can make the batter uneven and affect the consistency of the icing.
  • Room temperature ingredients: Bring your eggs and milk to room temperature before mixing for a smoother batter.
  • Don’t overmix the batter: Stir just until the ingredients are combined to keep the cake light and tender.
  • Work quickly with the icing: Pour and spread the icing over the cake while it’s warm (but not hot) for the best texture.
  • Check early for doneness: Ovens vary, so start checking your cake with a toothpick at the 50-minute mark.

Nutrition

Calories: 571kcal | Carbohydrates: 104g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 324mg | Potassium: 185mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 540IU | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg
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