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Rich, Creamy, And Easy Old School Peanut Butter Cake Recipe

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Last Updated on March 22, 2022

This old-school peanut butter cake has a rich tender texture that is topped with a delicious creamy nutty frosting. It’s perfect for any occasion!

And, what makes it even better is that you can whip it up in less than an hour and a half! You’ll have your guests swooning over this old-fashioned Southern cake and have them begging for the recipe too!

What Are The 3 Basic Types Of Cakes?

Despite there being virtually thousands of cake recipes available online, they all technically fit into three categories of cake. This includes shortened cakes (utter or oil cakes), shortened cakes (also known as foam cakes), and finally, chiffon cakes.

Shortened cakes regularly contain high amounts of fat, usually in a solid form like butter or margarine. These cakes can be further sub-classified into butter cakes, pound cakes, and oil cakes (or cake mixes).

Unshortened cakes generally contain no fat at all or the most a tiny bit. Cakes containing no fat are called angel food cakes and are very light and fluffy. Then, cakes with only egg yolks include types like sponge cake or jelly roll cakes.

And finally, cakes with oil and fat (along with egg yolks) are genoise cakes and chiffon cakes. Now, technically these are types of foam cakes because of their mixing method. However, because they are so unique, they are often placed into a category of their own.

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What are the characteristics of a butter cake?

Because today’s recipe is a type of butter cake, let’s look at some of the general characteristics of these cakes. This will also help you understand which characteristics you should aim to get.

Butter cakes are types of shortened cakes that contain lots of fats, in this specific case, butter. These types of cakes are a staple in many countries and are often used as wedding cakes or birthday cakes.

They too come in two forms; white and yellow. Butter cakes are made from simple cake ingredients including butter, sugar, eggs, flour, a leavening agent, and salt. Sometimes a liquid like milk is added to adjust the consistency of the batter and the final texture of the cake.

Butter cakes are extremely flavorful thanks to the high-fat content. They are very tender and also have a soft and light texture. Furthermore, you can expect them to be moist enough to be served as-is, however, they still go nicely with some frostings and toppings.

What is the traditional name for a butter cake

What Is An Old School Peanut Butter Cake?

This cake is an old staple cake recipe in the South that has been around for decades! Even today, arguably every Southern household will have its unique twist on it!

The cake is a type of shortened cake and uses a combination of regular butter and peanut butter as the “fat” ingredient. The peanut butter flavored cake has a rich and tender texture that has the perfect balance of sweetness.

Then, it is topped with an incredible nutty creamy glaze and finally, roasted peanuts.

What You Will Need For This Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cake

Ingredients for the cake

  • 1/2 cup salted butter
  • 1 cup water
  • 3/4 cups creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or essence
  • 2 cups white granulated sugar
  • 2 cups cake flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt

Ingredients for the frosting

  • 1 cup salted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 1 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 2/3 – 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 6 cups powdered or confectioner’s sugar sifted
  • 1/2 cup roasted peanuts (unflavored)

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch baking pan
  • Non-stick baking paper and cooking spray
  • Medium saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Cooling rack

How To Make An Old School Peanut Butter Cake?

Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare the equipment

First, start by preheating the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick baking paper and some cooking spray.

Then, make sure that all of your ingredients are measured out before starting the baking process.

Step 2: Combine the wet ingredients

First, combine the butter and water in a medium saucepan and bring them to a boil. Once the butter has been completely melted, remove the mixture from the heat and whisk in the peanut butter and vegetable oil. Allow the mixture to cool for about 10 minutes.

Next, whisk in the eggs one at a time. Make sure to whisk each until they are fully incorporated before adding another. Finally, whisk in the vanilla extract or essence.

Step 3: Mix the dry ingredients and finish the batter

Now, in a large mixing bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients. Make sure they are lump-free and well mixed.

Then, whisk the dry ingredients into the wet mixture base. Whisk the ingredients together until they are just combined.

Step 4: Bake the cake

Once your old-school peanut butter cake batter has been made, pour it into your lined baking pan.

Bake the peanut butter cake for 40-45 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cake to cool slightly on a wire rack.

Step 5: Make the frosting

While your cake is cooling, you can make your peanut butter frosting. First, combine the butter, peanut butter, and buttermilk in a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil.

Then, remove it from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Only add about 1 cup of sugar at a time to ensure it doesn’t form any lumps.

Once the sugar has been added, place the mixture back onto a low heat and gently warm it again.

Step 6: Serve your old school peanut butter cake

You can pour your warm peanut butter frosting over your still-warm cake. The frosting will set quickly, so don’t work slowly and ensure it remains warm before you pour it.

Finally, while the frosting is still soft, spread the roasted peanuts over the cake and serve.

Tips And Tricks

  • If you are using unsalted butter for this cake recipe, increase the salt amount to 1 teaspoon.
  • You can make your own buttermilk by combining 1/2 cup regular milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes before whisking it and using it as-is in this recipe.
  • Your cake is fully baked once a testing needle or toothpick comes out clean and doesn’t contain any batter.
  • To cool your cake, first, cool it inside of its pan for 10 minutes. Then, remove it from the pan and place it on a wire rack until you cover it with frosting.
  • You have to pour the warm frosting over a semi-warm cake. The warm cake will help the frosting spread evenly over it and create a smooth layer.
  • You can adjust the consistency of the frosting by adding more buttermilk to help thin it. To thicken it, you can add more confectioner’s sugar, however, the frosting does set very quickly and you will likely not need to thicken it at all.

Servings And Preparation Times For This Old School Peanut Butter Cake

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Final Thoughts About Old School Peanut Butter Cake

old school peanut butter cake

We feel that this old-school peanut butter cake recipe speaks volumes for itself! If you love it as much as we do, let us know in the comments below!

FAQs

What is the traditional name for a butter cake?

A butter cake was actually first referred to as an English pound cake A pound cake is a type of shortened cake and uses equal amounts of butter, flour, eggs, and sugar. Naturally, pound cakes are extremely high in fat and have a heavy and rich texture and flavor.

What are the 3 basic types of cakes?

The three basic types of cake include shortened, unshortened (or foam), and chiffon cakes. Shortened cakes contain high amounts of fat while unshortened cakes contains little to no fat at all. Chiffon cakes (or genoise cakes) contains some fat but uses the foaming mixing method.

What are the characteristics of a butter cake?

The final texture mainly depends on the mixing method used. Often, the creaming method is used to make most butter cakes. Generally, butter cakes will have a light, soft, and tender texture. Furthermore, they are packed with flavor and has a relatively moist texture.

Old School Peanut Butter Cake

Rich, Creamy, And Easy!

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch baking pan
  • Non-stick baking paper and cooking spray
  • Medium saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Cooling Rack

Ingredients
  

For the cake

For the frosting

  • 1 cup salted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 1 cup smooth peanut butter
  • 2/3 – 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 6 cups powdered or confectioner's sugar sifted
  • 1/2 cup roasted peanuts (unflavored)

Instructions 

  • First, start by preheating the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick baking paper and some cooking spray.
    Then, make sure that all of your ingredients are measured out before starting the baking process.
  • First, combine the butter and water in a medium saucepan and bring them to a boil. Once the butter has been completely melted, remove the mixture from the heat and whisk in the peanut butter and vegetable oil. Allow the mixture to cool for about 10 minutes.
    Next, whisk in the eggs one at a time. Make sure to whisk each until they are fully incorporated before adding another. Finally, whisk in the vanilla extract or essence.
  • Now, in a large mixing bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients. Make sure they are lump-free and well mixed.
    Then, whisk the dry ingredients into the wet mixture base. Whisk the ingredients together until they are just combined.
  • Once your old-school peanut butter cake batter has been made, pour it into your lined baking pan.
    Bake the peanut butter cake for 40-45 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cake to cool slightly on a wire rack.
  • While your cake is cooling, you can make your peanut butter frosting. First, combine the butter, peanut butter, and buttermilk in a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil.
    Then, remove it from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Only add about 1 cup of sugar at a time to ensure it doesn't form any lumps.
    Once the sugar has been added, place the mixture back onto a low heat and gently warm it again. 
  • You can pour your warm peanut butter frosting over your still-warm cake. The frosting will set quickly, so don't work slowly and ensure it remains warm before you pour it.
    Finally, while the frosting is still soft, spread the roasted peanuts over the cake and serve.
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