Chocolate-Peanut Butter Fun Cake

Ingredients

Cake Batter

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, or 1 teaspoon table salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate, (3 1/2 ounces)

Peanut Butter Frosting

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup egg whites, (2 large egg whites)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 1/4-inch cubes,, chilled
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate
• 1/4 cup chopped dry-roasted peanuts

Equipment 8-inch square pan, Parchment Paper

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray. Line bottom with parchment paper.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda.

3. 3

   Add oil, vanilla extract and 1 1/4 cups water and stir until smooth. Fold in 1/2 cup chopped chocolate.

4. 4

   Pour into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes. Cool completely in pan.

5. 5

   To make frosting, combine sugar and egg whites in a medium metal bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Continuously whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture is hot to the touch, about 3 to 4 minutes.

6. 6

   Transfer mixture to the bowl of an electric stand mixer and beat with whisk attachment until cool and thick, about 5-6 minutes.

7. 7

   Beat in vanilla extract and then peanut butter.

8. 8

   With mixer on medium-high, add butter pieces a few at a time. Beat until butter is completely incorporated. Add a pinch of salt.

9. 9

   Run a knife around edges of cake and turn it out onto a plate or cake stand. Peel parchment paper off and top with frosting, chopped chocolate, and peanuts.

Notes