Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake

Ever find yourself craving something sweet and think, “What if I turned my favorite candy into an entire cake?” That’s exactly what Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake is all about. It’s not just dessert—it’s a celebration of bold flavor, indulgent textures, and serious chocolate-peanut butter magic.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake combines rich chocolate layers, fluffy peanut butter frosting, silky ganache, and plenty of chopped Reese’s candies. It’s the kind of cake that makes people pause mid-bite, close their eyes, and say, “Whoa.”

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything—from ingredients and baking tips to creative twists and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker, this one’s going to be a showstopper.

What is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake?

At its core, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake is a multi-layered dessert that captures the spirit of the iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. It’s not just about adding a few candies on top. This cake is built to mirror the same salty-sweet richness, soft and dense textures, and layers of flavor you get from a Reese’s.

Imagine this:

• Three layers of moist chocolate cake, infused with cocoa and a touch of coffee.
• Layers of smooth, rich peanut butter frosting, whipped to fluffy perfection.
• A generous ganache drip cascading down the sides.
• Topped with chopped mini Reese’s Cups, Reese’s Pieces, and even a few full-size cups for drama.

It’s indulgent, impressive, and shockingly easy to pull off with the right steps.

Ingredients & Tools

Here’s a complete list of ingredients and tools you’ll need to get started.

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed preferred)
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk (room temp)
• 2 large eggs (room temp)
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot coffee (or boiling water—coffee enhances chocolate flavor!)

For the Peanut Butter Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter (don’t use natural-style)
• 3 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Ganache and Decoration:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 ½ cups chopped mini Reese’s
• ½ cup Reese’s Pieces (optional, for color and crunch)

Tools You’ll Need:

• Three 8-inch round cake pans
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Electric mixer or stand mixer
• Offset spatula
• Cake turntable (optional, but helpful)
• Serrated knife or cake leveler
• Measuring cups and spoons

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Bake the Cake Layers

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line the cake pans with parchment rounds.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Carefully add the hot coffee and stir until the batter is smooth (it’ll be thin, that’s okay!).
6. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.
7. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Frosting

1. In a large bowl, beat the butter and peanut butter together until creamy and smooth.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating on low after each addition.
3. Add heavy cream and vanilla, then beat on medium-high until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes.
4. If it’s too thick, add a touch more cream. Too runny? Add more powdered sugar.

Step 3: Make the Ganache

1. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan or microwave until it just begins to simmer.
2. Pour over chocolate chips in a bowl. Let sit for 1 minute.
3. Stir until smooth, shiny, and fully melted. Let it cool slightly before using.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

1. Level your cake layers if needed using a serrated knife.
2. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake board. Spread a layer of frosting evenly over the top.
3. Sprinkle some chopped mini Reese’s on top of the frosting.
4. Repeat with the next layer(s).
5. Apply a thin crumb coat all around the cake and chill for 15 minutes.
6. Frost the outside of the cake fully with the remaining peanut butter frosting.
7. Drizzle ganache over the top and let it drip down the sides.
8. Decorate with more chopped Reese’s, Reese’s Pieces, or full-size cups for drama.

Expert Tips for Success

• Use room temperature ingredients: It helps everything mix more evenly and gives the cake a better rise.
• Don’t overmix the batter: Mix until just combined to keep it light and fluffy.
• Hot coffee is your best friend: It deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
• Let the ganache cool before pouring: Too hot and it melts the frosting; too cold and it won’t drip nicely.
• Chill between steps: Especially if decorating—cold frosting helps keep layers stable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using natural peanut butter: It’s too oily and won’t whip properly into frosting.
2. Skipping the crumb coat: It makes a mess when you frost and won’t look polished.
3. Adding ganache too early: Warm ganache + soft frosting = disaster.
4. Not leveling your cake layers: A tilted cake is harder to frost and stack.
5. Overloading with candy: More isn’t always better—balance is key.

Creative Variations to Try

1. Reese’s Cheesecake Cake

Layer chocolate cake with peanut butter cheesecake for a decadent hybrid.

2. No-Bake Reese’s Icebox Cake

Use graham crackers, whipped cream, peanut butter, and melted chocolate.

3. Cupcake Version

Bake as cupcakes, core the centers, and fill with chopped Reese’s before frosting.

4. Gluten-Free Reese’s Cake

Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Works beautifully with no changes needed.

5. Salted Caramel Reese’s Cake

Add a caramel drizzle between layers and over the top for extra indulgence.

Healthier Tweaks (If You Must)

Okay, this is clearly a treat—but you can make small adjustments for a “lightened-up” version:

• Use Greek yogurt in place of half the butter in the frosting.
• Swap some of the sugar with coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener.
• Try dark chocolate instead of milk for the ganache.
• Use natural peanut butter in the frosting if you stabilize it with powdered sugar.

When to Serve This Cake

• Birthdays (especially for peanut butter fans)
• Holiday dessert tables
• Office parties
• Game day gatherings
• “Just because” cake nights (we all have those)

Final Thoughts

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that makes people say, “You made that?” With rich chocolate cake, velvety peanut butter frosting, and candy in every bite, it’s the perfect indulgence for any celebration or sweet craving.

Once you bake this cake, don’t be surprised if friends and family start requesting it for every occasion. It’s that good. And now that you’ve got the full guide, it’s time to get baking!

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cake is a next-level dessert that blends nostalgic candy joy with homemade comfort. Give it a try—you’ll be hooked from the first bite.