Last month just about two weeks after having a baby my 6′ 4″ “little” brother had a birthday. How could I not make a cake?! So I revisited one of my old recipes and made this Chocolate Beer & Peanut Butter Cake.
I guess you can say I was feeling nostalgic because at this time last year I had only just begun the journey that is blogging by guest posting on Sweet Tea & Saving Grace and JavaCupcake. My first post of 2015 was for Chocolate Beer & Pretzel Cupcakes for my friend Kirsten’s blog (Sweet Tea). Well my friend Betsy liked the recipe so much that I made a cake version on her blog (JavaCupcake). Both recipes have been pinned A LOT and that just blows me away for reals! 😉
I still don’t drink beer so my brother-in-law came to the rescue and gave me a bottle of Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock. I think the beer flavor this time around may have been a little more subtle, but still VERY good. And since I was shall we say postpartum lazy, I omitted the pretzels this time and simply garnished with chopped peanuts, mini chocolate chips, and caramel. I also made a naked cake, not only are they trendy and fashionable, they’re also a great option for decorating when you’re sleep deprived and overly tired. LOL
This cake is rich and moist and delicious! My brother’s girlfriend even messaged me on Facebook a couple weeks later and said “I am still dreaming about this cake!” So there you have it folks… the cake that dreams are made of. 😉
Enjoy!
xox- Roxana
- 1 c chocolate stout beer (I used Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock)
- 1 c (2 sticks) butter
- ¾ c unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 c flour
- 2 c sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- ⅔ c sour cream
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 c (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
- 1 c heaping of creamy peanut butter
- 3 - 4 c powdered sugar
- ½ c heavy cream
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼ c chopped peanuts
- ¼ c mini chocolate chips
- caramel sauce (homemade or store bought)
- Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Grease and flour two 8” cake pans.
- In a heavy saucepan, bring the butter and beer to a simmer over medium heat.
- Add the cocoa and whisk until smooth. Remove from heat and add the vanilla, let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg together with the sour cream
- Very slowly add the warm chocolate mixture to the egg/sour cream mixture, whisking constantly.
- Add the wet mixture to the dry and mix until just combined and no lumps remain. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans and bake for 26 – 28 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in the pan for 10 – 15 minutes and transfer to a cooling rack. Make sure cakes are completely cool prior to frosting.
- Using the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, cream the butter and the peanut butter together until it pales in color a bit.
- Turn the mixer to low and slowly add powdered sugar ½ c at a time.
- Add the salt and the vanilla.
- Add the heavy cream and beat on high until light and fluffy.
- Using a cake leveler or serrated knife level both cake layers and cut them in half.
- Put a dollop of buttercream on a cake platter/stand/board and place the bottom of the first layer on it.
- Spread an even layer of caramel over it and pipe or spread ¼ of the buttercream over the first layer. Repeat for the remaining layers. *TIP: Place the last 2 layers upside down so that the bottom of the cake becomes the "top" and give you a nice flat surface
- Once you've piped buttercream over the top layer garnish with chopped peanuts and mini chocolate chips and drizzle with caramel sauce.
Would it be considered bad etiquette to stick my face in it? Seriously. I want to stick my face in it. This looks and sounds absolutely decadent my dear! YUM!!!!!!!!!!! That icing falling out all over the place? That’s my favorite. Or maybe the caramel drizzled on top…or the chocolate chips….
Oh Em Gee! Best. Comment. Ever!! I’m dying over here. I won’t judge if you stick your face in it. I guess I’ll have to plan to make a “smash” cake version for you when we finally meet and you can have at it girl. Thanks so much! xox
This looks so freaking good. I love Chocolate and peanut butter, one of my fav combinations. Thanks of linking up at You Link It, We Make It. Hope to see you back tomorrow!
Thank you! It’s quickly becoming a family favorite. 🙂