If you’re a peanut butter lover, this Decadent Peanut Butter Sheet Cake Recipe is about to become your new favorite dessert.
Peanut Butter Sheet Cake Recipe is a delightful dessert with a moist, tender crumb infused with creamy peanut butter.
This simple yet indulgent cake features a rich peanut butter flavor complemented by a buttery, sweet frosting.
The cake is baked in a sheet pan, making it perfect for serving a crowd. Topped with a smooth and creamy peanut butter frosting, it’s a decadent treat that combines the nutty goodness of peanut butter with a light, fluffy texture.
Ideal for any occasion, this cake is sure to satisfy sweet cravings and peanut butter lovers alike. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dessert that promises to impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth.
How To Make Peanut Butter Sheet Cake Recipe?
Recipe Overview
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 25-30 minutes
Total time: 45-50 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480
Yield: 8 servings
Helpful Equipment and Tools
- 9×13-inch sheet cake pan
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sifter (for powdered sugar)
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
Sheet Cake
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (312g)
- 3 large eggs, room temperature preferred
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar (300g)
- ¾ cup buttermilk (177ml)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces (227g)
- 1 ¼ cups water (295ml)
- 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed (200g)
- ⅔ cup creamy peanut butter (195g)
- ⅓ cup canola or vegetable oil (80g)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Peanut Butter Frosting
- 14 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces (210g)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (250g)
- ¾ cup buttermilk (177ml)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 5 cups powdered sugar (625g)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your 9×13-inch sheet cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Cake Batter
1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda.
2. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Mix in the peanut butter, vanilla extract, and oil.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
6. In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil, then pour it into the batter while mixing on low speed until well combined.
3. Bake the Cake
1. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
2. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
3. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack to cool completely.
4. Prepare the Frosting
1. In a large bowl, beat the butter and peanut butter together until smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the buttermilk, beating until fluffy.
3. Mix in the vanilla extract and salt.
5. Frost the Cake
1. Once the cake is completely cool, spread the peanut butter frosting evenly over the top.
6. Serve
1. Cut into squares and serve. Enjoy your delicious peanut butter sheet cake!
2. This recipe should yield a generous serving for 8 people, with plenty of rich peanut butter flavor and creamy frosting.
Special Note
➤ Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your butter and eggs are at room temperature for a smoother batter and better texture.
➤ Sifting Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together to prevent lumps and ensure even distribution.
➤ Cooling the Cake: Let the cake cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
Serving Suggestions For Peanut Butter Sheet Cake Recipe
1. Serve Warm or Room Temperature
This peanut butter sheet cake recipe is best served slightly warm or at room temperature. I recommend letting it cool just enough so the frosting sets but remains gooey and delicious.
2. Add Toppings
For an extra special touch, you can top the cake with crushed peanuts or drizzle melted chocolate over the frosting. It adds texture and makes it even more irresistible!
3. Pair with Ice Cream
For a decadent dessert, serve a slice of this cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The cool, creamy ice cream balances the rich peanut butter flavor beautifully.
Tips and Variations
1. Make It Gluten-Free
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. You’ll get the same soft texture without the gluten.
2. Add Chocolate Chips
Stirring in a cup of chocolate chips to the cake batter can elevate the flavor by adding a hint of chocolate to each bite.
3. Go Chunky
If you prefer a bit of texture, use chunky peanut butter instead of smooth. The little pieces of peanuts throughout the cake will add a delightful crunch.
Conclusion
Peanut Butter Sheet Cake Recipe is a wonderfully satisfying dessert that balances rich, nutty flavors with a light, moist texture.
Its ease of preparation makes it perfect for both everyday indulgence and special occasions. The creamy peanut butter frosting adds an extra layer of decadence, turning a simple sheet cake into a standout treat.
Whether you’re a peanut butter enthusiast or just looking for a delicious, crowd-pleasing cake, this recipe delivers a delightful combination of taste and texture that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
Peanut Butter Sheet Cake Recipe
Equipment
- 9×13-inch sheet cake pan
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sifter (for powdered sugar)
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
Sheet Cake
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 312g
- 3 large eggs room temperature preferred
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar 300g
- ¾ cup buttermilk 177ml
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter cut into pieces (227g)
- 1 ¼ cups water 295ml
- 1 cup light brown sugar firmly packed (200g)
- ⅔ cup creamy peanut butter 195g
- ⅓ cup canola or vegetable oil 80g
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Peanut Butter Frosting
- 14 Tablespoons unsalted butter cut into pieces (210g)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter 250g
- ¾ cup buttermilk 177ml
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 5 cups powdered sugar 625g
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your 9×13-inch sheet cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
Prepare the Cake Batter
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda.
- In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in the peanut butter, vanilla extract, and oil.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.
- In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil, then pour it into the batter while mixing on low speed until well combined.
Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and peanut butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the buttermilk, beating until fluffy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and salt.
Frost the Cake
- Once the cake is completely cool, spread the peanut butter frosting evenly over the top.
Serve
- Cut into squares and serve. Enjoy your delicious peanut butter sheet cake!
- This recipe should yield a generous serving for 8 people, with plenty of rich peanut butter flavor and creamy frosting.