Family-Favorite Peanut Butter Cake

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 15 min. + cooling

Makes

24 servings

Updated: Oct. 01, 2022
My grandmother and aunts made this for family gatherings to go along with fresh homemade ice cream. I now share it with my family and friends during special gatherings. —Keith Gable, Goddard, Kansas
Family-Favorite Peanut Butter Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 6 tablespoons butter, cubed
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • FROSTING
  • 1/4 cup butter, cubed
  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons fat-free milk
  • 1-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, bring peanut butter, butter and water just to a boil. Immediately remove from the heat; stir in the flour, sugar, buttermilk, applesauce, eggs, baking powder, vanilla, salt and baking soda until smooth.
  2. Pour into a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes.
  3. In a small saucepan, melt butter and peanut butter over medium heat; add milk. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. Gradually whisk in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread over warm cake. Cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 220 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 166mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat.