If you’ve been dreaming of a cake that’s both playfully colorful and decadently rich, this M&M’s Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine the perfect marriage between creamy peanut butter, soft buttery cake, and crunchy bursts of M&M’s candy all wrapped up in a luscious peanut butter frosting that melts in your mouth. It’s a dessert that delights kids and grown-ups alike, bringing joyful pops of color and irresistible flavor to every slice.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple pantry staples that come together beautifully to create a moist, flavorful cake bursting with peanut butter goodness and colorful candy. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, whether it’s lending structure, flavor, or that signature pop of M&M’s that makes this cake truly special.
- All-purpose flour (1 ¾ cups): The foundation for a tender, soft crumb that holds the cake together.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon) and baking soda (½ teaspoon): Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise perfectly fluffy.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): A pinch to balance and brighten the sweet flavors.
- Unsalted butter, softened (½ cup + ½ cup for frosting): Adds richness and creates a creamy texture in both cake and frosting.
- Creamy peanut butter (½ cup for cake + ½ cup for frosting): The star ingredient delivering deep, nutty flavor that peanut butter lovers will adore.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup) and light brown sugar, packed (½ cup): Provides sweetness and moisture with a hint of caramel from the brown sugar.
- Eggs (3 large): Bind ingredients and add moisture and richness.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons total): Enhances all the flavors with its sweet, aromatic notes.
- Buttermilk (1 cup): Keeps the cake tender and adds a subtle tang that complements the peanut butter.
- M&M’s (1 cup plus extra for topping): The colorful candy melts into the batter to create bursts of chocolate and vibrant pops throughout.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups for frosting): For a silky smooth and perfectly sweet peanut butter frosting.
- Heavy cream or milk (2–3 tablespoons): Adjusts frosting consistency to a luscious spreadable texture.
- Pinch of salt (for frosting): Balances sweetness and brings out peanut butter’s true flavor.
How to Make M&M’s Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pans and Dry Ingredients
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepping two 8-inch round cake pans with butter and flour to prevent sticking, plus lining them with parchment paper for easy release. Then, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl to evenly distribute the leavening agents.
Step 2: Cream Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars
Next, use a mixer to beat the softened butter and creamy peanut butter until they form a smooth, velvety blend. Then add both granulated and brown sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light, fluffy, and oh-so inviting. This step is key for achieving that tender cake texture with rich peanut butter flavor.
Step 3: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time to maintain batter smoothness and stability, then stir in the vanilla extract for an extra depth of sweetness and aroma that perfectly complements the peanut butter.
Step 4: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk
Carefully fold in the flour mixture and buttermilk alternately, starting and ending with the flour. This keeps your batter light and prevents overmixing which can toughen the crumb. Follow this gently to ensure a moist and tender cake base.
Step 5: Fold in the M&M’s
Gently fold the colorful M&M’s into the batter to distribute those delightful chocolatey bursts evenly throughout the cake. Resist the urge to overmix here so the candies stay intact and retain their fun surprise texture.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Divide the batter evenly between your two prepared pans and smooth the tops for even baking. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pans before turning them out onto wire racks to cool completely — cooling fully is important before frosting so your frosting won’t melt away.
Step 7: Make the Peanut Butter Frosting
Beat together softened butter and peanut butter until luscious and smooth, then gradually add the powdered sugar to reach a thick consistency. Flavor with vanilla and salt, and add heavy cream or milk as needed to achieve a spreadable frosting that’s creamy and rich without being too runny.
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Spread a generous layer of frosting on the first cake layer, top with the second, and cover the whole cake with frosting. Finish by decorating the top with extra M&M’s for irresistible color and crunch. Chill slightly so the frosting sets up beautifully before slicing.
How to Serve M&M’s Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
The vibrant M&M’s on top already make this cake pop but for an extra touch, sprinkle some crushed peanuts or a drizzle of melted chocolate. These simple garnishes add texture and a hint of elegance while staying true to the peanut butter theme.
Side Dishes
This cake shines as a dessert on its own, but pairing it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream can enhance the creamy peanut butter and chocolate flavors perfectly. Fresh berries on the side add a refreshing contrast to the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider turning this cake into a birthday centerpiece or a party showstopper by stacking mini layers or cutting the cake into fun shapes with cookie cutters. For a twist, serve cake slices on colorful plates with a glass of cold milk for an irresistibly nostalgic treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover M&M’s Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to stretch it further, refrigerate—it will stay moist for up to a week but just bring it to room temp before serving.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze this cake. Wrap individual slices or whole layers tightly in plastic wrap and foil to avoid freezer burn. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and allow to come to room temperature before frosting or serving.
Reheating
Since this is a cake best enjoyed at room temperature, avoid microwaving large pieces. If you LOVE warm cake, warm a slice gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, but beware of melting the frosting excessively.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
For this recipe, creamy peanut butter is recommended because it blends smoothly into the batter and frosting. Crunchy peanut butter might create an uneven texture but can be used if you enjoy extra peanut chunks.
Are mini M&M’s better than regular ones?
Mini M&M’s are ideal because they distribute more evenly and make slicing the cake easier without large chunks falling out, but regular M&M’s work just fine too for a chunkier candy surprise.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
With a suitable 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend, you can transform this cake into a gluten-free delight. Be sure to check that your baking powder and other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
How long does the frosting take to set?
Chilling the frosted cake for about 30 minutes helps the frosting firm up nicely, making slicing cleaner and ensuring it holds together well during serving.
Can I substitute the M&M’s with other candies?
Absolutely! Try Reese’s Pieces or peanut butter chips for a similar nutty-chocolate combo. Just avoid candies that melt too quickly or alter the batter consistency.
Final Thoughts
This M&M’s Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe truly captures the joy of baking and sharing something both nostalgic and totally addictive. Its creamy peanut butter richness, bright candy pops, and smooth frosting make it a guaranteed hit for any occasion. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite cake that everyone will ask you to bake again and again!
Print
M&M’s Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This M&M’s Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting is a delightful American dessert, combining the rich, creamy flavor of peanut butter with the fun of colorful M&M’s candy. Moist and tender, the cake is layered with a smooth peanut butter frosting and topped with extra M&M’s for a festive finish, perfect for birthdays or special occasions.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup M&M’s (plus extra for topping)
Peanut Butter Frosting Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Peanut Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, which helps create a rich and tender crumb.
- Add Sugars: Gradually add the granulated sugar and light brown sugar to the butter mixture, beating until the mixture is light and fluffy for a moist cake texture.
- Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate them. Then stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the cake dense.
- Fold in M&M’s: Gently fold 1 cup of M&M’s into the batter, distributing the chocolate candies evenly without crushing them.
- Fill Pans and Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula and bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes to set. Then carefully turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely, which is essential before frosting.
- Prepare Peanut Butter Frosting: Beat the softened butter and creamy peanut butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until fully incorporated. Add vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 2 to 3 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk to achieve a spreadable consistency.
- Assemble the Cake: Once the cakes have cooled completely, spread a generous layer of frosting on one cake layer. Place the second layer on top and frost the entire cake evenly. Decorate the top with additional M&M’s for a colorful and festive look.
- Chill and Serve: Chill the cake slightly in the refrigerator to help set the frosting and allow cleaner slicing. Slice and serve as desired.
Notes
- Mini M&M’s can be used for easier slicing and more even candy distribution.
- This cake is rich and filling, so smaller slices are recommended if serving a large crowd.
- Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain freshness, or refrigerate for longer storage.
