🥜 Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter-Honey Frosting – A Sweet Southern Hug in Every Bite

If you’ve ever bitten into a soft, moist peanut butter cookie and wished it were a cake, this recipe is your dream come true. Say hello to the Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter-Honey Frosting—a comforting, old-fashioned dessert packed with nutty goodness, finished with a warm frosting and a sprinkle of melty mini-chocolate chips. It’s everything a peanut butter lover could hope for, and more.

Perfect for birthdays, potlucks, casual gatherings, or just a cozy night at home, this cake combines pantry staples into something unexpectedly rich and soul-satisfying. No need for fancy layers or decorations—this sheet cake wins hearts with flavor, texture, and simplicity.

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🧾 Ingredients – Peanut Butter Heaven in a Pan

What makes this cake so magical is its use of both butter and peanut butter, lending it a luscious crumb and a deep, nutty flavor. And with brown sugar in the mix, each bite delivers a hint of caramel warmth that pairs beautifully with the honey-laced frosting.

CAKE INGREDIENTS

• 2 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 & 1/4 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 eggs

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FROSTING INGREDIENTS (Peanut Butter-Honey Frosting)

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 to 5 tablespoons milk

Topping:

• 1 cup mini chocolate chips

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👩‍🍳 Instructions – From Mixing Bowl to Bliss

This cake follows a straightforward process: mix, bake, frost, and enjoy. The frosting is spread on while the cake is still warm, creating a dreamy, slightly melty layer that soaks into the cake like a glaze.

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Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Preheat

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 10 x 15-inch cake pan. This size is perfect for even baking and creates the perfect cake-to-frosting ratio.

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Step 2: Make the Cake Batter

In a large mixing bowl, add:

• 2 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup butter (room temperature)

Use an electric mixer on low speed to blend these first four ingredients until the mixture is crumbly. This creaming step is key to a tender crumb.

Then add:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 & 1/4 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 eggs

Blend on low just until moistened, then beat on medium speed for 3 minutes to fully develop the structure of the batter.

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Step 3: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake in the center of the oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

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Step 4: Prepare the Frosting

While the cake is baking, prepare your frosting:

• In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine 1/2 cup peanut butter and 2 tablespoons honey. Microwave briefly, just until soft and easy to stir.
• Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 cups powdered sugar, and 4 to 5 tablespoons of milk, beating until smooth and spreadable.

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Step 5: Frost While Hot

As soon as the cake is out of the oven, allow it to cool for 10 minutes—just enough to set slightly but still warm.

Spread the frosting evenly over the warm cake. The heat helps the frosting glide easily and slightly melt into the surface for extra flavor.

Top with 1 cup of mini chocolate chips, allowing them to gently soften over the warm frosting. They add a delightful bite and enhance the peanut butter flavor.

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🕒 Recipe Summary

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 35–40 minutes
• Frosting Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 55–60 minutes
• Yields: One 10×15 cake (serves 15–18)

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

This cake is a standalone showstopper, but if you’re feeling extra indulgent:

• Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
• Drizzle with caramel sauce
• Add a dollop of whipped cream and extra chocolate chips
• Pair with a glass of cold milk or a warm latte

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🔁 Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Store:

• Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days
• Refrigerate for up to 5–6 days (bring to room temp before serving)

Freeze:

• You can freeze the unfrosted cake or frosted cake slices (wrap tightly in plastic and foil)
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature

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🌰 Variations to Try

Want to make it your own? Try one of these fun spins:

• Crunchy Peanut Butter: For added texture in the cake and frosting
• Chocolate Swirl: Stir in 1/2 cup melted dark chocolate to the batter before baking
• Banana-Peanut Cake: Add 1 mashed ripe banana for extra moisture
• Peanut Butter-Coffee Frosting: Replace 2 tbsp milk with brewed espresso for a mocha vibe
• Frosting-Free: Skip the frosting and dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar for a lighter version

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🧡 Why This Cake Stands Out

There’s just something special about a sheet cake like this—unpretentious, nostalgic, and always satisfying. It’s the kind of dessert you picture cooling on a windowsill or waiting on the kitchen table after school. It hits all the right notes:

• Buttery and rich
• Moist but not heavy
• Just the right level of sweetness
• Packed with real peanut flavor in both cake and frosting

And when that peanut butter frosting hits the warm cake? Pure comfort.

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💬 Reader Favorites

“This cake tastes like my mom used to make—thank you for bringing back memories!”
— Lydia G.

“It’s like a peanut butter cup in cake form. I’ve made it twice this month already!”
— Ben H.

“The honey in the frosting makes it so smooth and flavorful. Amazing texture and not too sweet.”
— Rachel P.

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📌 Final Thoughts – A Must-Bake for Peanut Butter Lovers

If you’re looking for a simple cake that delivers BIG on flavor, this Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter-Honey Frosting is it. No need for layers or piping bags—just a bowl, a spoon, and a whole lot of peanut butter goodness.

Whether you’re baking for a celebration or a weeknight treat, this cake is as easy to make as it is to love.

So grab that jar of peanut butter and preheat your oven—this recipe might just become your new favorite.

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