¾cupunsweetened cocoa powder preferably dutch processed 75 g
2teaspoonsbaking soda 10 ml
1teaspoonbaking powder 5 ml
1teaspoonsalt ½ if morton 5 ml
2large eggs
2teaspoonsvanilla extract 10 ml
1cupbuttermilk 240 ml
½cupoil canola or vegetable 120 ml
1cuphot coffee 240 ml
Peanut Butter Buttercream:
8ouncessalted butter room temperature
8ouncesgranulated sugar
4ouncesegg whites
½teaspoonsalt
3/4cupcreamy peanut butterwe used skippy, 200 g
Chocolate Ganache:
5ozchocolate
4tablespoonsbutter 57 g
3/4cupsugar 150 g
3/4cupheavy cream 180 ml
2teaspoonsvanilla 10 ml
Pinchof salt
Instructions
Cake:
Combine the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Stir together with a whisk until evenly combined
Add the vanilla, eggs, buttermilk, and oil and stir until combined
Once combined, add the hot coffee. Stir quickly to ensure the hot coffee is evenly distributed. The batter will be very thin
Pour the batter into a greased and floured 16”x10” sheet pan and cook for ~15-20 minutes (ovens vary so test with a toothpick in the center and remove when it comes out clean) 350 F – make sure a toothpick comes out clean
Set aside to cool
Ganache:
To make the ganache, add chocolate, butter, salt, and vanilla into a bowl. Set asideIn a small pan over medium heat, heat cream and sugar until hot but just before boiling
Pour the heated cream and sugar over the bowl of chocolate and let it set for 1 minute. Stir until smooth
Set in the fridge until cooled but not hard. This will take around 30 minutes - 1 hour. It should be very firm to keep the cake stable
Peanut Butter Buttercream:
Cut the softened butter in tablespoon pieces.
Add 2 inches of water into a saucepan that fits the bowl of a stand mixer on top without touching the water. After the water is simmering, add the sugar, egg whites, and salt. Whisk to combine and continue to simmer, ensuring the water does not touch the bowl. Keep heating the mixture until the sugar is dissolved (it will be about 120 degrees)
Place the bowl in the stand mixer and whisk on high speed until mixture is thick and glossy. It should hold very stiff peaks.
Reduce the speed of the mixer to medium and add the butter one tablespoon at a time until incorporated. Reduce the speed to low and add the peanut butter. Turn up the speed to medium until well incorporated. Set aside
Assembly:
When all components are ready, cut the cake into 3 even rectangles, each piece should be ⅓
Spread a thin layer of the ganache frosting (we also like to pipe on a boarder of ganache to keep the peanut butter icing enclosed.) After adding the ganache, then place half the peanut butter frosting on top. Repeat again. Top with a thin layer of the ganache icing on top. We choose to leave the sides ope, but trim the edges before serving to it's a clean rectangle with open sides