M&M’s Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

If you’re a peanut butter fan, this M&M’s Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting will be your new favorite treat. The combination of rich peanut butter flavors, soft cake layers, and the crunch of colorful M&M’s makes this dessert both a visual and culinary delight. Whether for a party, family gathering, or just a sweet indulgence, this cake is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Let’s dive into the details on how to create this masterpiece!

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 1 cup M&M’s

For the Peanut Butter Frosting:

• ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

For the Cake:

1. Preheat and Prepare:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent the cake from sticking.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This will ensure your cake rises perfectly and has an even texture.

3. Cream the Butters:
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter until it becomes smooth and creamy.

4. Add Sugar and Eggs:
Gradually add the sugar to the butter mixture, beating until light and fluffy. Then, add the eggs one at a time, making sure to mix thoroughly after each egg. Stir in the vanilla extract for a hint of sweetness.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients for a perfectly balanced batter. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.

6. Add the M&M’s:
Gently fold in 1 cup of M&M’s, adding a burst of color and chocolatey goodness to the cake batter.

7. Bake the Cake:
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Peanut Butter Frosting:

1. Cream the Butters:
In a large bowl, beat together the unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter until smooth and creamy.

2. Add Powdered Sugar:
Gradually add in the powdered sugar while beating, ensuring a smooth, thick frosting.

3. Add Heavy Cream and Vanilla:
Finally, add the heavy cream and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting becomes light and fluffy. This creates the perfect texture to spread on your cake.

Assembling the Cake

1. Frost the First Layer:
Once the cakes have cooled, spread a generous amount of peanut butter frosting on top of one of the layers.

2. Add the Second Layer:
Place the second cake layer on top, then frost the top and sides of the entire cake for a delicious, creamy finish.

3. Decorate with M&M’s:
For a colorful touch, sprinkle additional M&M’s on top of the frosted cake, making it as vibrant as it is tasty.

Serving and Storage Tips:

Serving Tips

1. Room Temperature is Best:
   For the best flavor and texture, serve the cake at room temperature. This allows the peanut butter frosting to soften and the flavors to shine through.
2. Slice and Enjoy:
   Use a sharp knife to slice the cake cleanly. If you want to make the cake even more festive, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate syrup on the side.
3. Perfect for Parties:
   This cake is great for gatherings and celebrations! You can make it extra fun by decorating the top with additional colorful M&M’s or even using themed M&M’s for holidays.

Storage Tips

1. Storing at Room Temperature:
   If you’re planning to eat the cake within 1-2 days, you can store it at room temperature. Simply cover it with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to keep it moist.
2. Refrigerating the Cake:
   If you need to store the cake for more than 2 days, place it in the refrigerator. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap or keep it in an airtight container. The cake will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
3. Freezing the Cake:
   Want to save some cake for later? You can freeze this cake for up to 3 months. Wrap each slice or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and place it in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
4. Reheating Tips (Optional):
   If you prefer the cake slightly warm, you can microwave individual slices for 10-15 seconds to soften the frosting and warm the cake without melting the M&M’s.

Variations:

1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

• Add Cocoa:
  Turn the cake into a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake by adding ½ cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients. This will give you a rich, chocolatey peanut butter flavor that pairs perfectly with M&M’s.
• Chocolate Frosting Option:
  Swap out the peanut butter frosting for a decadent chocolate frosting. You can make a simple one by mixing butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and a splash of milk.

2. Peanut Butter Banana Cake

• Add Mashed Bananas:
  Incorporate 1 mashed banana into the batter for a moist, flavorful Peanut Butter Banana Cake. The natural sweetness of the banana complements the peanut butter perfectly.
• Banana M&M’s Mix:
  For an extra banana twist, use banana-flavored M&M’s or add banana chips for a crunchy, fruity texture.

3. Peanut Butter and Jelly Cake

• Swirl in Jam:
  Add a layer of your favorite jam (strawberry, raspberry, or grape) between the cake layers before frosting. The classic PB&J combination creates a nostalgic flavor.
• Jam Frosting Swirl:
  Add a few dollops of jam on top of the peanut butter frosting and gently swirl it in for a marbled effect and a burst of fruitiness with every bite.

4. Crunchy Peanut Butter Cake

• Use Crunchy Peanut Butter:
  Replace the creamy peanut butter with crunchy peanut butter in both the cake batter and frosting. This will add an extra layer of texture and a delightful crunch.
• Add Crushed Peanuts:
  Sprinkle crushed peanuts on top of the cake along with M&M’s to enhance the crunchy texture and nutty flavor.

5. Peanut Butter Cup Cake

• Add Peanut Butter Cups:
  For a chocolate-peanut butter overload, fold chopped peanut butter cups into the batter alongside the M&M’s.
• Peanut Butter Cup Topping:
  Decorate the cake with halved or quartered peanut butter cups on top for an extra indulgent touch.

6. Peanut Butter Pretzel Cake

• Salty Twist:
  For a sweet and salty variation, mix in ½ cup of crushed pretzels into the batter along with the M&M’s. The pretzels will add a satisfying crunch and contrast to the sweet cake.
• Pretzel Garnish:
  Sprinkle crushed pretzels on top of the frosted cake for a fun and tasty decoration.

FAQs:

1. Can I use natural peanut butter in the cake and frosting?

Yes, but it’s important to note that natural peanut butter has a different consistency due to its oil separation. Stir the natural peanut butter thoroughly before using, or you can stick with commercial creamy peanut butter for a more stable texture.

2. How can I make the cake more moist?

To add extra moisture, you can substitute ¼ cup of buttermilk with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt. These ingredients will give the cake a richer, moister texture without altering the flavor.

3. Can I use different types of M&M’s?

Absolutely! You can experiment with different M&M varieties such as peanut M&M’s, peanut butter M&M’s, or even seasonal flavors like mint or caramel for a fun twist. Just keep in mind that larger M&M’s may affect the cake’s texture.

4. Can I bake this cake in different pans?

Yes, you can! Instead of two 9-inch round cake pans, you can bake the batter in a 9×13-inch sheet pan for a single-layer cake, or use a bundt pan for a more decorative presentation. Just adjust the baking time accordingly.

5. How do I prevent the M&M’s from sinking to the bottom of the cake?

To keep the M&M’s from sinking, you can toss them lightly in a bit of flour before folding them into the batter. This will help them stay suspended throughout the cake as it bakes.

These FAQs should help you navigate the baking process and make your M&M’s Peanut Butter Cake even more enjoyable!