Chocolate Peanut Butter Layers (Printable)

A moist chocolate cake filled with creamy peanut butter pudding, whipped cream, and a rich chocolate-peanut butter drizzle.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Cake

01 - 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix (plus required eggs, oil, and water per package instructions)

→ For the Filling

02 - 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
03 - 2 cups cold whole milk
04 - 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

→ For the Topping

05 - 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
06 - 2 tbsp powdered sugar
07 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

→ For the Drizzle

08 - 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
09 - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
10 - 2 tbsp heavy cream

→ Optional Garnish

11 - 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
12 - Mini peanut butter cups, halved

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan thoroughly.
02 - Prepare the chocolate cake mix according to package directions. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
03 - Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes. Using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cake, spacing about 1 inch apart.
04 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and cold milk for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in the peanut butter until smooth and well combined.
05 - Pour the peanut butter pudding evenly over the cake, spreading it to fill all the holes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
06 - In a large bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream over the chilled cake.
07 - Microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter, and heavy cream in a small bowl for 30 seconds. Stir until smooth; microwave for an additional 10 seconds if necessary. Drizzle over the whipped cream layer.
08 - Garnish with chopped peanuts and mini peanut butter cups, if desired. Chill for 30 minutes before serving for best results.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The combination of chocolate and peanut butter is pure comfort food magic that hits all the right emotional buttons
  • It comes together with minimal effort but looks like you spent hours in the kitchen
  • The poke technique creates incredibly moist layers that make every bite feel like a special occasion
02 -
  • Don't skip the chilling time after adding the pudding or your whipped cream will slide right off
  • Poke the holes while the cake is still slightly warm, not hot, so the pudding absorbs without making the cake soggy
  • The drizzle sets up quickly once it hits the cold whipped cream, so work fast when pouring
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients for the pudding and whipped cream help everything incorporate smoothly without separating
  • A warm knife dipped in hot water gives you the cleanest cuts through all those gorgeous layers

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