Peanut butter is the ultimate comfort food. Whether you spread it on toast, use it as a dip for apple slices or turn it into a delicious dessert, we all have memories of snacking on PB. And when it comes to decadence, this easy peanut butter cake is as simple as it gets. The cake is made right in a sheet pan for fast baking, simple serving and easy cleanup. You don’t even have to wait for the cake to cool to glaze it!
Our Peanut Butter Cake Recipe
This cake is served right out of the sheet pan for a rustic, homey feel. It also takes way less time to make than most other cakes—it needs just 15 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of bake time. But the most unique thing about this cake is the glaze. It’s not often you stir in marshmallows until they completely melt, but that’s what this recipe calls for. The marshmallows help the glaze set into a soft, rich texture that complements the smooth flavor of the peanut butter.
There is also buttermilk in this sheet cake. The slight tang of the buttermilk helps to elevate the heavy peanut butter and ultra-sweet glaze so the cake isn’t too filling.
Peanut Butter Cake Ingredients
Cake:
- Cooking spray or butter to grease the pan
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Water
- Butter
- Chunky peanut butter
- Canola oil
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
- Vanilla extract
Glaze:
- Sugar
- Evaporated milk
- Butter
- Peanut butter
- Miniature marshmallows
- Vanilla extract
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Use cooking spray or melted butter to grease a 15×10-inch baking pan.
Editor’s Tip: If you don’t have this size, you can substitute a more common 13×9-inch pan. Just know that the baking time will vary and your pan will be quite full.
Step 2: Make your mixes
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla until blended. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, combine the water and butter. Bring the mixture just to a boil, then stir in the peanut butter and oil until blended.
Step 3: Whisk it all together
Add the warm peanut butter mixture to the flour mixture and whisk until well-combined. Once the mixture is fully integrated, add the buttermilk mixture and whisk until smooth.
Editor’s Tip: Be careful not to over-mix in this step. The whisking encourages gluten formation and too much gluten can make a cake dense and gummy instead of light and springy.
Step 4: Bake it
Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Place on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
Rotate the pan and bake an additional 10 to 12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Step 5: Glaze the cake
While the cake is baking, combine the sugar, milk and butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly as the mixture comes to a boil. Once boiling, cook for two minutes, then remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, marshmallows and vanilla until blended. Spoon the glaze over the warm cake, spreading evenly. Cool on a wire rack and allow the glaze to set.
Peanut Butter Cake Tips
Can I customize this peanut butter cake?
This cake can be customized by adding chocolate chips to the cake batter, the glaze or—for the real chocolate lovers out there—both! You can also sprinkle crushed peanuts on the cake for a little extra crunch. If you’re a frosting fan, you can double the ingredients for the glaze for an extra-thick layer of peanut butter and marshmallow goodness.
Can I use reduced-fat peanut butter for peanut butter cake?
If you’re counting calories, we have bad news: Reduced-fat peanut butter is not recommended for this recipe. Full fat peanut butter has a thicker texture and richer taste.
