Description
This M&M’S Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting is a delightful and colorful dessert combining creamy peanut butter flavors with the crunch of Peanut Butter M&M’S. Moist vanilla yogurt-infused cake layers are studded with peanut butter candies and topped with a rich, fluffy peanut butter frosting, making it an irresistible treat for peanut butter lovers and candy enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 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 Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional, see notes)
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 and set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar on low speed with a paddle attachment for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light and creamy.
- Add Vanilla and Eggs: Blend in vanilla extract. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each to ensure a smooth batter.
- Combine Yogurt and Dry Ingredients: Beat in drained vanilla yogurt. Gradually add flour, baking powder, and salt in batches, mixing just until combined without over-mixing.
- Fold in M&M’S: Gently fold in the roughly chopped Peanut Butter M&M’S evenly throughout the batter using a spatula.
- Bake the Cakes: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake Layers: Remove from oven and cool completely in pans on a wire rack for easy handling.
- Prepare the Frosting: Beat butter and creamy peanut butter in a mixing bowl with a paddle attachment until smooth.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add powdered sugar in ½ cup increments, beating gently after each until frosting is creamy and thick.
- Incorporate Heavy Cream (If Using): Add ¼ cup heavy cream, then whip on low speed increasing gradually for 5 minutes to lighten and fluff the frosting.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on serving platter; if available, fit a cake ring around it. Spread half the frosting evenly over the layer.
- Add Second Layer and Frost: Place second cake layer on top, pressing gently. Adjust cake ring to tighten if used. Spread remaining frosting evenly on top.
- Decorate and Set: Decorate the cake with additional Peanut Butter M&M’S or a mix for extra color and flavor.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the cake in the ring for 2-3 hours to set the frosting before removing the ring and serving.
Notes
- Draining the vanilla yogurt helps reduce excess moisture, preventing the cake from becoming too dense.
- If you prefer a lighter frosting texture, incorporate the heavy cream and whip it to fluff the frosting.
- A cake ring helps in assembling a clean layered cake and keeps the frosting neat while chilling.
- Refrigerating the cake before serving ensures the frosting sets perfectly.
- Use room temperature butter for both cake and frosting to achieve smooth mixing and creamy texture.
