Description
A decadent chocolate cake with layers of peanut butter frosting, caramel, and crunchy pretzels, perfect for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot coffee
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp heavy cream
- ½ cup sugar (for caramel)
- 3 tbsp butter (for caramel)
- ¼ cup heavy cream (for caramel)
- Pinch of salt (for caramel)
- Crushed pretzels
- Mini chocolate chips
- Melted chocolate for drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your cake pans by greasing and lining them with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Mix until smooth, then stir in the hot coffee gradually.
- Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- For the frosting, beat softened butter and peanut butter until fluffy. Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar and mix in heavy cream until spreadable.
- To make the caramel, melt sugar in a saucepan until golden brown, add butter and whisk, then pour in heavy cream and whisk until smooth. Let cool slightly.
- Assemble the cake by layering the first cake on a serving plate, spreading frosting, drizzling caramel, and adding crushed pretzels. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake.
- Drizzle melted chocolate and caramel over the top, then sprinkle with crushed pretzels and mini chocolate chips. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use hot coffee in the batter for moisture and a richer flavor. Make sure to cool cakes completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg