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Prep time
30 minutes
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Cook time
35 minutes
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Serves
a crowd
Author Notes
Bake this peanut butter sheet cake for birthday parties, celebrations, or just because. It's so easy to assemble, feeds a crowd, and will put a smile on everyone's face. This sheet cake gets a good rise from whisking the eggs and sugar until they're fully aerated (a technique I learned from Stella Parks’ Gingerbread Sheet Cake), and a moist, tender crumb from a full cup of buttermilk. And it’s so full of peanut butter flavor. I opted for a rich, swooshy chocolate cream cheese frosting with lots of sprinkles, because peanut butter and chocolate belong together, and sprinkles make everything better.
Note: This cake can be easily transformed into a delicious buttermilk cake (same frosting), good for when nut allergies are a concern: omit the peanut butter, use all granulated sugar (1 1/4 cups or 250 grams), and add 2 teaspoons of vanilla along with the buttermilk.
—EmilyC
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Ingredients
- For the sheet cake
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3/4 cup
(170 grams) unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks)
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1/4 cup
(60 milliliters) vegetable or other neutral-flavored oil
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2/3 cup
(170 grams) creamy peanut butter, either all-natural (well-stirred) or conventional (like Jif or Skippy)
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3/4 cup
(160 grams) light brown sugar (packed)
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1/2 cup
(100 grams) granulated sugar
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1 teaspoon
baking powder
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3/4 teaspoon
baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon
kosher salt
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3
large eggs, straight from the fridge
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2 cups
(240 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
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1 cup
(225 grams) buttermilk
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1 handful
sprinkles (optional)
- For the frosting
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1 cup
(8 ounces; 226 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
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1/4 cup
(57 grams; 1/2 stick) butter, at room temperature
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1/2 cup
(43 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
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3 cups
(340 grams) powdered sugar
Directions
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Place oven rack in middle position and heat oven to 350°F. Line a 9- by 13-inch cake pan (or quarter sheet pan) with parchment, then lightly grease with vegetable oil or butter.
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In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Take off the heat, and immediately whisk in peanut butter and vegetable oil until evenly integrated. Transfer the peanut butter mixture to a liquid measuring cup (for faster cooling and easier drizzling in Step 4).
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and eggs. Mix on low speed until just moistened, then increase speed to high and beat until thick and fluffy and pale, about 8 minutes (could be longer if using a hand mixer).
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Reduce speed to low, and drizzle in peanut butter mixture; mix until evenly incorporated. Add flour; mix until just incorporated, then add buttermilk. Use a rubber spatula to fold the batter a few times (scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl), then transfer the batter into the prepared pan and evenly distribute it. The batter will be thick and creamy, almost fudgy.
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Bake until puffed and firm, about 28 to 32 minutes (or 210° F in the middle). A tester inserted into the middle of the cake should come out clean. Cool completely in pan before frosting.
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To make the frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, or until smooth and creamy, scraping the bowl once or twice. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and powdered sugar until evenly integrated and no lumps remain. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the cocoa/powdered sugar and mix until well blended, then increase speed to high and beat until fluffy and creamy, about 15 seconds longer.
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To frost, spread the frosting evenly over the cake with a knife. Top with sprinkles, if using. Tightly covered, the cake will keep well for several days.
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