Since I enjoyed turning Almond Joys into bread, I thought I would try once again to take a candy and make it into a baked good. This time around I thought I would be kind and make something my husband would eat. Since Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are high on his lists of favorite candies, I decided to pay tribute to those. Now, I don’t nearly enjoy Reese’s as much as Almond Joy, though they are good for portion control because I only am able to eat two before I start to get peanut butter overload. This cake however is a different story. Not thinking I would really even eat anything more than a piece, I cleared a whole mini cake no problem.
The recipe is nothing new. I have already made this cake a year or so ago, the difference being the use of the peanut butter chips. The other difference is the use of my mini(4-inch diameter) tart pans. I used those to give the cake a more peanut butter cup look. If you get too much rise on your cake you can always trim off the top with a bread knife(that’s what I had to do). If you don’t have little tart pans, you could simply bake it in the rectangular pan and then cut out circles with a cookie cutter. It wont have that cute peanut butter cup shape but will be tasty nonetheless.
Peanut Butter Cup Cake
Peanut Butter Peanut Butter Chip Cakes(recipe follows)
Chocolate Glaze(recipe follows)
peanut butter cups, chopped, for garnish
Peanut Butter Peanut Butter Chip Cake
2 ounces unsalted butter
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup tightly packed brown sugar
3 ounces creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
Preheat oven to 325F.
Grease three 9 x 1 1/2 inch pans.(I personally used just one 9 x 13 pan). Line your bottoms with parchment. Set aside.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Mix together brown sugar, peanut butter and butter for two minutes. Add egg and egg yolk and mix for another 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and mix for another minute.
Add half of the flour mixture and mix until incorporated about 20 seconds. Then add the sour cream, mixing again for 20 seconds. Gradually add the remaining flour mixture. Add the hot water in a slow, steady stream and mix on low to combine, about 30 seconds. Add the vanilla and mix for another 10 seconds. Add the peanut butter chips and use a rubber spatula to finish mixing the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
Divide the cake batter into the prepared pans, spreading it evenly. Bake for about 22 minutes. If you have 4 inch diameter tart pans like I used, it takes the same amount of time to bake the cake, if not a few more minutes. Use a knife to see if it is done.
Source: Death by Chocolate Cake by Marcel Desaulniers
Chocolate Glaze
6 ounces semisweet chocolate
4 TBSP unsalted butter
Break chocolate into small pieces and place in a small stainless steel bowl over a pot of hot(not boiling)water. Melt the 4 TBSP butter in a small saucepan, and skim off the white foam that rises to the top. When chocolate is just melted, stir in the clarified butter(discard the white solids left behind). Set aside until chocolate is 86F.
To Assemble: Place cakes on a wire rack. Place rack on top of a cookie sheet so that the extra chocolate has a place to drip onto.Pour chocolate glaze over cake and using a narrow metal spatula, quickly pared it evenly over the top and sides of the cake. Allow chocolate to set to firm consistency before serving. Garnish with chopped peanut butter cup.
Sharon says
This looks absolutely fabulous. I love Reese’s cups so I can’t wait to try.
Laurel says
I need to make this. The picture is making me drool.
S. from The Student Stomach says
I am soooooooooo going to make this.
Lydia says
I’m not much of a peanut butter eater, but this cake could definitely change my mind. Beautiful!
daphne says
That looks terrific! Your photography skills are fantastic. This looks gorgeous!
monica says
i think i’m in heaven…i need this cake!
Sara says
Wow…totally amazing. Wanna come visit me????
ashley says
Yum!! That looks delicious. My stepdad loves peanut butter cups so I will save this recipe to make for his birthday!
Anh says
This is truly a beauty!
ovenhaven says
This looks really great! I’m glad you said that you could easily finish up one of these eventhough you can’t get past two Reese’s, for I too share the same sentiment about those cute lil peanut butter cups. I hope to try this out one day. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Cenk says
Just when I was craving chocolate and peanut butter. It looks amazing!
Kelly-Jane says
I like your presentation, it’s very pretty 🙂 and the cake sounds fab too!
Ivonne says
Your husband is one lucky guy!
veron says
Awww, these are so cute! Nice take on reese’s peanut butter cups.
Deborah says
You are killing me!! I love Reese’s – and I love that you did these in mini tart pans to make them look like the real thing.
arfi says
My kids love peanut butter! I should work on the gluten-free flour for this. Looks delicious!
sunita says
omg, I’m literally drooling… I hate you for making me run for chocolate 😀 …and of course peanut butter :))
Laura Rebecca says
Jeez, again — such a good idea! I especially love how the shape of the cake recalls its inspiration.
Mehgan says
I know why you liked these little tartlets so much: JIF Peanut Butter. I be that’s what you used in this recipe, am I right? I bet if Reese’s made a JIF Peanut Butter Cup, you’d love them even more, lol!
Belinda says
I’ve died and gone to peanut butter heaven, Peabody! These look like out of this world chocolatey peanut buttery perfection…yum with a capital Y!
Jef says
Damn. Cake + Candy = WIN!
I really like the clever use of the tart pan. That’s the sort of thing you’d see in a restaurant and think, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
btw – I tagged you for yet another meme…
Tartelette says
Now I really feel like a nut on crack! I share your Reese’s “one bite is plenty” (ok 2)but I am sure I could easily eat 3 of these in one sitting!
Amy says
Okay I’m coming trick-or-treating. 😉
Carrie says
I can’t see the pictures? 🙁
Tanna says
Well, I’m a Reese’s fan. I have two of these please! and maybe one to take home!
mallow says
I always know where to go when I need me some peanut butter…that looks like heaven.
Mercedes says
This is adorable- I think reinterpretting classic dishes/combinations in new ways is always a good idea. I’m sure I’d eat the whole thing too b/c I’m a peanut butter fiend!
Kevin says
That looks great! Peanut butter cake with peanut butter chips and a chocolate coating. That cake must be pretty moist with the peanut butter and the sour cream. mmm…
lynn says
I am all over this one! Reese’s are one of my husband’s favorites and I know I’d earn big, big wifey points by making this for him. Thanks!!
VeggieGirl says
oh my goodness you’ve REALLY outdone yourself with this cake – it’s brilliant!! I love the combination of chocolate & peanut butter (well, actually, I prefer carob & peanut butter, or almond butter), and this cake does the quintessential peanut butter cup justice :0)
Lisa says
Holy cow.. this comment comes from my heart:
*thump* *thump* *thump-thump* That’s heartspeak for can I move in with you and your husband?
*gurgle*
Lisa says
are you modified now? where’s my comment? hmmph
Lisa says
Hewwo? Am I here? Testing.. testing..
Check one. check two. Check please!
Fruittart says
Oh YUM! The Husband’s favorite candy made into a cake . . . I may have to do this for his birthday! Thank you for sharing.
Ngoc says
A brilliant idea to make them look like the real thing! 🙂
peabody says
Lisa- my husband put on a stronger spam catcher…so you were in moderation. 🙂 You are here now.
Lisa says
I was mistaken for spam?? Well I never! 😛
hee!
xoxo
Indigo says
Ah, so cute! We don’t have peanut butter cups in England, but I’m pretty sure I could establish the cake version here ^__^
Claire says
How cute! I love Reese’s and this cake looks just like one.
heather says
I am so making these…. love this time of year… Hockey season is right around the corner. Can it get any better. I know when we actually get to the season it is even better.
Ellie says
You didn’t…
You did.
I can’t believe you did.
Yet another combination of peanut butter and chocolate, a combination that drives me wild and that I can’t resist. Yet another recipe to add to the ever-growing list of things I must try!
Kirsten says
AMAZING! Reese’s are my favorite candy in the world, so this dessert is now among my favorites in the world too!!!
Anything with peanut butter and choc at least makes the list…
chris says
Oh my,my,my,my….Can I be your neighbor?
kellypea says
Reese’s pieces are o.k. if they’ve been frozen (so not as good as almond joy…) But these little sweet thingys you have here look so tasty. No freezing required — definitely.
ryan says
when i saw this recipe i knew it was one that i would actually make, and not just bookmark with good intentions 🙂 it was absolutely fantastic!!! i did mine as one large cake, and to up the ante a little, cut it in half and added a layer of peanut butter cream cheese as i was afraid it might be a little dry…it wasnt at all dry, but the cream cheese was a tasty addition! thanks, ill be keeping this in my repertoire for future use!
Nags says
omg! what are you doing to me?! i have been browsing through ur site for the past half hour and i got hungrier and hungrier. I am going to get some sinful chocolatey something and its all YOUR fault!!