Reese’s Cake Recipe

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If you’re a fan of all things chocolate and peanut butter, this Reese’s Cake will quickly become one of your absolute favorites. Imagine a moist, rich chocolate cake layered with a luscious, creamy peanut butter filling and topped off with a glossy, bittersweet chocolate ganache that’s perfectly studded with chopped Reese’s cups. It’s the ultimate celebration of that classic Reese’s flavor we all adore, wrapped up in a dessert that’s both indulgent and surprisingly easy to make. Whether you’re preparing for a special occasion or just craving something spectacular, this Reese’s Cake will satisfy every sweet tooth with a warm hug of flavor.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this irresistible Reese’s Cake. The list might seem straightforward, but each component plays a crucial role in crafting the perfect balance of moistness, texture, and that signature peanut butter-chocolate harmony.

• All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cake’s structure, ensuring it’s tender yet sturdy enough to hold the creamy filling.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds deep, rich chocolate flavor and a beautiful dark color to the cake layers.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake perfectly without overpowering the chocolate and peanut butter.
• Baking powder and baking soda: These work together to help the cake rise light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Buttermilk: Keeps the cake incredibly moist while adding a subtle tang that complements the chocolate.
• Vegetable oil: Adds moisture for a soft, tender crumb that stays fresh.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and provide structure to the cake.
• Vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor profile with warm, sweet notes.
• Boiling water: Intensifies the cocoa’s chocolate flavor and helps achieve a smooth batter.
• Smooth peanut butter: The luscious base for the rich filling, creamy and nutty.
• Heavy cream: Makes the peanut butter filling silky and adds richness when making ganache.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the peanut butter filling without graininess.
• Bittersweet chocolate: The star of the ganache with its perfect balance of deep chocolate flavor and slight bitterness.
• Chopped Reese’s cups: A delightful garnish that adds crunch, texture, and unmistakable Reese’s flavor.

How to Make Reese’s Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing your cake pans, lining them with parchment paper to ensure your cake comes out perfectly clean. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Slowly blend the wet ingredients into the dry, mixing until just combined. Finally, stir in the boiling water—this thins the batter but deepens the chocolate flavor exponentially, giving the cake its signature moist texture.

Step 2: Bake and Cool the Cake

Divide the batter evenly among your prepared pans and place them in the oven. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, let the cakes cool completely in the pans before moving to the next step. This cooling time is crucial so the peanut butter filling won’t melt when assembled.

Step 3: Make the Peanut Butter Filling

While the cakes are cooling, whip together the smooth peanut butter, heavy cream, and powdered sugar in a medium bowl. This mixture should turn into a fluffy, creamy filling that’s rich but light enough to spread evenly between the cake layers. Taste and adjust the sweetness if desired—this is where the magic of Reese’s Cake really starts to shine.

Step 4: Prepare the Chocolate Ganache

To make the ganache, gently heat the heavy cream just until it’s simmering and pour it over the chopped bittersweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Let it sit for a minute before stirring until perfectly smooth and glossy. This silky ganache will become the luscious topping that ties all the flavors of the Reese’s Cake together.

Step 5: Assemble the Reese’s Cake

Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread a generous layer of the peanut butter filling on top, then carefully place the second cake layer over it. Pour the warm ganache evenly over the cake, letting it drip enticingly down the sides. Finish by sprinkling chopped Reese’s cups all over the top for that extra delightful crunch and unmistakable Reese’s punch.

How to Serve Reese’s Cake

Garnishes

While the chopped Reese’s cups are a classic and delicious garnish, consider adding a few whole Reese’s minis for visual contrast or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the ganache to elevate the flavor experience. These little touches make each slice visually stunning and add an exciting flavor twist to every bite.

Side Dishes

This Reese’s Cake pairs fantastically with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream to balance out the rich flavors. For grown-up indulgence, a glass of cold milk or a cup of freshly brewed coffee can perfectly complement this dessert’s sweet and nutty notes.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or gift-giving, slice the Reese’s Cake into mini wedges and wrap them in clear cellophane with a ribbon for an irresistible takeaway treat. Alternatively, build it as individual layered parfaits using cake crumbs, peanut butter filling, and ganache in clear glasses for a fun, elegant twist on serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store the Reese’s Cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps preserve the freshness of the ganache and peanut butter filling, keeping the cake moist and delicious for up to 4 days.

Freezing

You can freeze the cake if you want to enjoy it later. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing it in the freezer. It can keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before serving to maintain the perfect texture and flavor.

Reheating

For the best experience, allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving. If you prefer, you can gently warm individual slices in the microwave for about 15 seconds to soften the ganache and bring out the peanut butter aroma, but don’t overheat or it might become too melty.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth for the filling?

Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add a bit more texture to the filling, which some people really enjoy. Just be sure to whip it well with the cream and powdered sugar to keep the filling light and spreadable.

Is there a substitute for buttermilk in the cake?

If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes. This will provide the acidity needed for the cake to have a tender crumb and proper rise.

How do I ensure the cake layers bake evenly?

To bake evenly, make sure your oven temperature is accurate and avoid opening the oven door frequently. Using room-temperature ingredients and properly greasing and lining your pans also helps the cake bake uniformly.

Can I make the peanut butter filling ahead of time?

Yes! The peanut butter filling can be made up to a day in advance. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and give it a quick whip before spreading to restore its fluffy consistency.

What type of chocolate is best for the ganache?

Bittersweet chocolate is ideal for the ganache because it provides a rich and balanced flavor that isn’t too sweet but still complements the peanut butter beautifully. You can also use semisweet chocolate if you prefer a slightly sweeter topping.

Final Thoughts

Making this Reese’s Cake is like inviting a party of chocolate and peanut butter lovers into your kitchen, all eager to celebrate in every bite. It’s a dessert that feels both fancy and comforting, perfect for sharing with friends and family or treating yourself anytime you want a seriously delicious experience. Go ahead and try this recipe—you’ll have a fantastic time bringing this Reese’s Cake to life, and your taste buds will thank you over and over!

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