Description
This delightful M&M’S Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting is a rich and flavorful dessert perfect for any celebration. Featuring a moist vanilla yogurt-infused cake studded with crunchy Peanut Butter M&M’S and topped with a creamy peanut butter frosting, it combines textures and flavors beautifully for a crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt, drained for a couple of hours in the fridge
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup Peanut Butter M&M’S, roughly chopped
Frosting
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
Decoration
- Additional Peanut Butter M&M’S or Peanut M&M’S for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Pans and Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round baking pans with parchment paper. Set aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, add the butter and sugar. Using a paddle attachment, beat on low speed until the mixture becomes light and creamy, about 3 minutes.
- Add Vanilla and Eggs: Blend in the vanilla extract, then add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure a smooth batter.
- Combine Yogurt and Dry Ingredients: Beat in the drained vanilla yogurt. Gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt in two or three batches, mixing just until combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep the cake tender.
- Fold in M&M’S: Using a spatula, gently fold in the roughly chopped Peanut Butter M&M’S until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake the Cakes: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 22–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake Layers: Remove cakes from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pans on a wire rack to ensure easy handling and prevent crumbling.
- Prepare the Frosting: Once the cake layers are cool, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter and creamy peanut butter until smooth using a paddle attachment.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating gently after each addition until all sugar is incorporated and the frosting is creamy and thick.
- Incorporate Heavy Cream (If Using): If you decide to use heavy cream, add 1/4 cup to the frosting. Switch to a whisk attachment and whip on low, increasing speed gradually for 5 minutes to achieve a lighter, fluffier texture.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving platter and fit a cake ring around it if available. Spread half of the frosting evenly over the first layer.
- Add Second Layer and Frost: Place the second cake layer on top, pressing down gently. If using a cake ring, tighten it as needed. Spread the remaining frosting evenly over the top.
- Decorate and Set: Finish the cake with additional Peanut Butter M&M’S, Peanut M&M’S, or a mixture of both for extra color and flavor.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the cake in the ring for at least 2–3 hours to set the frosting before carefully removing the ring and serving.
Notes
- Drain the vanilla yogurt for a couple of hours in the fridge to remove excess liquid, which helps in achieving a better cake texture.
- Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and smoother batter.
- If you prefer a lighter frosting, incorporating the heavy cream by whipping it thoroughly will give a fluffy texture.
- The cake ring helps in assembling and setting the frosting neatly but is optional.
- Chilling the cake before serving ensures the frosting sets well and slices cleanly.
