Chocolate and Espresso Layer Cake with Peanut Butter Icing
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 3/4 cup espresso, warm
- 1/4 cup unrefined coconut oil, warmed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 ounces (1 stick) butter, room temperature
- 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped darkly roasted salted peanuts, for garnish
- For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two 8-inch nonstick cake pans with parchment paper.
- Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl.
- In a second bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, espresso, coconut oil, vanilla and eggs.
- Make a well in the dry ingredients and add in the wet mixture, whisking until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans.
- Bake on the center rack until puffed, the sides pull away from the edges and an inserted cake tester comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.
- Remove the cakes from the oven, immediately cover them with clean kitchen towels and press any domed portions downcareful, it's hot!
- (This will help make sure that you don't have to level the cakes.)
- Allow the cakes to cool in their pans to room temperature.
- When completely cooled, invert onto plates.
- For the icing: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the cream cheese and butter on medium speed, about 2 minutes.
- Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
- Add the peanut butter and mix on medium speed to combine.
- Again, turn the mixer off.
- Mix in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on LOW speed (or else you'll have powdered sugar everywhere!).
- Add the vanilla and mix once more.
- Transfer the icing to a piping bag.
- Ice the top of one cake layer, using a circular motion, starting from the outside and gradually moving to the center; do not ice the sides of the cake.
- Set the second cake layer on top of the first and repeat with the icing; again, do not ice the sides.
- Drag the back of a spoon in a side-to-side motion across the icing on top to lend a beautifully textured look to the icing.
- Sprinkle the iced cake with the chopped peanuts.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, buttermilk, espresso, unrefined coconut oil, vanilla, eggs, cream cheese, butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, peanuts
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/damaris-phillips/chocolate-and-espresso-layer-cake-with-peanut-butter-icing.html (may not work)