Makeover Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

Name: Makeover Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 24 servings.
Ingredients: 1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size); 1 egg; 1/4 cup canola oil; 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce; TOPPING:; 1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese; 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter; 1/2 cup reduced-fat butter, melted; 2 eggs; 2 egg whites; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups confectioners' sugar

My dad made sure this dessert was on the menu for Father's Day—or else! This makeover version is great. I can't believe so much fat was cut and it still tastes like the original. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Ingredients

1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size)
1 egg
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
TOPPING:
1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup reduced-fat butter, melted
2 eggs
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, beat the cake mix, egg, oil and applesauce on low speed until combined. Press into a 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray.
In a another large bowl, beat cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth. Add the butter, eggs, egg whites and vanilla; beat on low until combined. Add the confectioners' sugar; mix well. Pour over crust.
Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes before cutting. Refrigerate leftovers.

Editor's Note

This recipe was tested with Land O'Lakes light stick butter.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 228 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 255mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

Originally published as Makeover Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake in Healthy Cooking June/July 2012

Reviews

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Average Rating:

krisbrandi

Sep 2, 2014

This is very good, but mine does not turn out like the pic. Are you sure you do not bake the cake before you add the peanut butter layer? Mine all mixes together and puffs up.
llheath

Mar 31, 2014

We are always looking for dessert recipes that taste good and mimic the high fat and calorie counterparts. This is satisfying and delicious. To further reduce the fat, I used no eggs and whites only. Further, I eliminated the canola oil and used a fat free butter substitute. The finished product was wonderful. Kudos to the cook who created this....it was love "at first bite " !
karsmitty2

Nov 30, 2013

I agree with kerschc, the chocolate layer was very difficult to spread in the bottom of the pan, & I also thought that part of the cake was dry after I baked it. The peanut butter top part of the cake was easy to spread & moist after baking. Maybe increasing the canola oil & applesauce would make it easier to spread the chocolate layer & make it more moist after baking?
bzgal

Nov 12, 2012

A little too sweet for my taste but I will tweek it and try it again !! Have to get daughter-in-law's input--she is the Reeses nut in the family
Ladybtall

Sep 19, 2012

Mine turned out exactly as pictured. They were really good. Took them for the volunteer at a food bank I help at and everyone wanted the recipe.
caglaser

Aug 10, 2012

My family loved it! EAsy to make too
Joannk

Jun 27, 2012

Did not turn out at all like it's pictured, the sides puffed up and the middle was very doughy, even after baking it extra time. Will not try this recipe again.
kerschc

Jun 18, 2012

We loved the flavors and textures. I really struggled to spread the cake layer. I ended up spraying a spoon with cooking spray so I could press it into the pan.