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This chocolate peanut butter cake has a peanut butter cheesecake right in the center and is topped with lots of thick peanut butter frosting and rich chocolate ganache.
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Have y’all ever heard of or eaten a Buckeye? Yes, right? Please say yes.
For those of you who don’t know what a buckeye is, it’s just a peanut butter ball dipped partially in chocolate to resemble a buckeye. They are outrageously delicious and I can’t believe I don’t have a recipe for them on this site. I’m a mean blogger.
Anyway, Buckeye candies are amazing, but yesterday I wasn’t in the mood for candy. I wanted cake. So I played around and created this chocolate peanut butter cake. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.
Chocolate peanut butter anything is my fav.
This cake is momentous both because it is INSANE and because I don’t bake cake. I can’t bake cake. They just never turn out right. Like, ever.
This one, though, this one turned out to be kind of…shall we say…deadly. In a good way. A really ridiculous good way.
What you’re drooling over is a layer of chocolate cake, a layer of chocolate peanut butter glaze, a layer of peanut butter cheesecake, another layer of the chocolate peanut butter glaze, another layer of chocolate cake, a layer of peanut butter frosting (that tastes EXACTLY like a peanut butter ball) and more of the chocolate peanut butter glaze.
This chocolate peanut butter Buckeye Cake is so good you will die. True story.
If you LOVE chocolate and peanut butter, be sure to check out the entire category I have devoted to chocolate and peanut butter treats! It’s bursting at the seams with delicious things your family and friends will go nuts over!
Buckeye Cake
Ingredients
For the Peanut Butter Cheesecake:
- 2 8 ounce packages cream cheese softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup milk I used 1%, but 2% or whole milk would be great too
For the chocolate cake:
- 1 box chocolate cake mix prepared according to package directions (homemade works too, if you're feeling adventurous) and baked in 2 9 inch round cake pans
For the Peanut Butter Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
For the chocolate peanut butter glaze
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
For the Peanut Butter Cheesecake:
- Bake the cheesecake one day in advance so that it has plenty of time to chill in the fridge before layering with the chocolate cake!
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Beat together the cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar, and flour until light and smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the milk.
- Grease a 9-inch round springform pan VERY WELL. There is no crust on this cheesecake, so it is imperative that you really grease the pan so that the cheesecake will release from it easily.
- Pour batter into the greased pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes at 325 degrees.
- Reduce heat to 260 and bake for 50 minutes or until just the center is slightly jiggly.
- Cool on the counter for 2 hours. Transfer to a refrigerator to chill overnight.
For the chocolate cake:
- Prepare the cake mix according to the package or use a recipe for homemade cake.
- Bake in 2 9-inch round, well greased cake pans. Cool completely.
For the peanut butter frosting:
- Cream together the butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Add half of the powdered sugar and mix well. Beat in half of the cream. Add the remaining powdered sugar and continue mixing until combined. Beat in the remaining cream.
For the chocolate peanut butter glaze:
- In a double boiler or a bowl set over a pot of simmering water, melt the chocolate, peanut butter, and corn syrup. When melted remove from heat and whisk in the cream until it is a smooth, creamy consistency.
To assemble:
- Place one layer of chocolate cake on your cake stand and top with 1/4 of the chocolate peanut butter glaze. Spread to the edges.
- Very carefully remove the sides of your springform pan and place the entire cheesecake upside down on the chocolate cake layer. The bottom of the springform pan should now be on top of the cheesecake. Carefully slide a knife in between the cheesecake and pan bottom to loosen. If you greased your pan well this should be fairly simple and the pan bottom will easily lift off.
- Pour another 1/4 of the chocolate glaze over the cheesecake and spread to the edges.
- Top this with the second layer of chocolate cake.
- Place the whole cake in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to harden up a bit.
- Cover the top and sides of the cake with the peanut butter frosting. Smooth it out as best you can.
- Microwave the chocolate glaze for about 5-10 seconds to soften it back up. Whisk well and then pour over the top center of the cake. Use an offset spatula to spread the glaze to the edges, letting it drip down in some areas.
- Store in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information:
Check out some of my other popular recipes below!
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If you love the grocery store whipped frosting, check out my whipped frosting recipe!
Dolores Thumel says
Nice recipes. Thank youย
Cindy Rees says
.. . Sounds great. Being from OHIO, I appreciate all things BUCKEYE. On vacation now, but will make it soon as I get back. And will send Karly my Buckeye recipe.
Karly says
I’m in Illinois, but I love buckeyes just the same! ๐
party toys says
Useful info. Lucky me Ifound your web site accidentally, and I am stunned why this cincidence didn’t took place earlier!
I bookmarked it.
Wowguy says
how can yo go wringwith peanut butter and chocolate
Stephanie says
My husband’s 51st birthday is in 3 days. His all time favorite candy is the buckeye. I’m am soooo going to make him this cake for his bday. I pray it turns out as good as yours did. He’ll be completely surprised!
Lisa @ Cooking with Curls says
Holy Moly, Karly!! That is one delicious looking cake. ๐
Karly says
@Lisa @ Cooking with Curls,
Thank you!
DeDe says
I’m ready to die. ๐
Mary says
Wonderful cake , so glad you shared the recipe, Thank you! I did adapt the recipe a bit but pretty much followed your recipe. I was adventurous and made a homemade special dark chocolate cake. I took it to a MOPS meeting last night, came home with one piece. I normally like making cupcakes but had fun making this wonderful cake. I never made cheese cake before and was excited to make the peanut butter cheese cake and use my new spring form pan! I had a bit of trouble with the icing (but that’s probably just me) I did add some cool whip that made it easier for me to spread. I also took a chop stick and made light circles over icing all around it ,added 3 homemade buckeye candies on top for added touch!
Joann Dreher says
OMG….This cake is the Bomb. I made it for a Xmas party and it was a hit. Fed atleast 25 people. It’s like candy. Here’s a hint. Make the choc and cheesecake ahead and freeze both. Put together and frost & finish while still frozen. Enjoy!!!!
Karly says
Hi @Joann Dreher!
I’m so glad to hear you liked the cake! Great tip about freezing…I bet that made it much easier to work with!
Teresa says
I have made the red velvet cheesecake and it was a huge success! The family loves peanut butter so I believe that this will have to be my dessert for Thanksgiving! WOW! Can’t wait…