Chocolaty Peanut Butter Cake Food

CHOCOLATY PEANUT BUTTER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Sprinkle marshmallows into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, water, peanut butter, oil and eggs; beat on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium 2 minutes or until smooth. Pour over marshmallows; sprinkle with chocolate chips. , Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat three 6-inch-round cake pans with cooking spray.
• Sift the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Mix with an electric mixer at medium speed for 1 minute. Add the buttermilk, coffee, vegetable oil and eggs. Mix at medium speed for 1 minute. Scrape the side and bottom of the bowl and mix on medium speed for 1 minute more. Divide the cake batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake on the top rack until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
• Cool the cakes in the pans for 20 minutes then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
• For the buttercream: Add the confectioners' sugar and butter to a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until completely incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the peanut butter, milk and salt. Mix on high speed until the mixture becomes fluffy and lighter in color, about 2 minutes. Scrape the side and bottom of the bowl and mix again on high speed for 1 minute.
• To assemble the cake: Level each cake round with a serrated knife or cake leveler. Use an offset spatula to spread a thin layer of the buttercream on top of one round. Top with a second round and spread it with a thin layer of buttercream. Repeat with the third round, spreading the buttercream on the top and sides of the cake. Smooth with a bench scraper.

SMITH ISLAND CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Pulse 4 peanut butter cups in a food processor into small chunks; transfer to a bowl. Pulse the remaining 6 peanut butter cups into a fine powder; transfer to another bowl. Chill both until ready to use.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease four 8-inch round cake pans with cooking spray. Dust flour and knock out any excess. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
• Cut up the butter into 1-inch pieces and place them in the large bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or beaters. Beat on medium-high speed until the butter is light and creamy in color, about 3 minutes. Stop and scrape the bowl. Cream the butter for an additional minute. Add the granulated sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, beating 1 minute after each addition. Scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally. Add the eggs one at a time. Reduce the mixer speed. Stir the vanilla into the buttermilk. Add the dry ingredients to the butter alternately with the buttermilk. Mix just until incorporated. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix for 15 seconds longer.
• Divide half the batter between the prepared cake pans. Set the remaining batter aside. Using the back of a spoon, spread out the batter so that it covers the bottom of each pan, making it slightly thicker around the edges than in the middle. Bake until cooked through and golden around the edges, 12 to 14 minutes. Set aside to let cool slightly, then loosen the cake layers with a knife and invert onto cooling racks.
• Wash and dry the cake pans. Repeat the process a second time with the cooking spray, flour and batter.
• Once all 8 layers have baked, place the first layer on a serving plate. Spread with about 3 tablespoons Chocolate Frosting and sprinkle with about 1 tablespoon powdered peanut butter cups. Top with another cake layer and repeat the process to make 8 layers in all. Frost the outside of the cake with the remaining frosting and sprinkle the top with the peanut butter cup chunks.
• In a large saucepot over medium-high heat, bring the milk to a simmer, and then remove from the heat.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yolks, flour, 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar and a pinch of salt. Add the hot milk in a stream, whisking. Return the mixture to the saucepot and bring to a boil over moderate heat. Whisk until very thick, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Cover the surface of the custard with a buttered round of wax paper and cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• Using electric beater, add the vanilla and remaining 1 cup confectioners' sugar to the custard. Beat at moderate speed until well combined. Then increase the speed to medium-high and beat in the butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, until smooth. Add the chocolates and beat until well combined.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 10-by-15-inch jelly roll pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. In a measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, oil and vanilla.
• Beat the eggs and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until very pale and thick, about 5 minutes. Add the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth evenly with an offset spatula. Tap the pan on the counter lightly to release any large air bubbles, then bake until golden brown and a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Dollop the peanut butter on top and evenly smooth it over the cake as it melts. Transfer the cake to a cooling rack and cool completely.
• Put the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted. Pour the chocolate over the peanut butter and spread it evenly with the offset spatula. Refrigerate until just set, about 20 minutes.
• Cut the cake into squares and refrigerate until ready to serve.

CHOCOLATE AND ESPRESSO LAYER CAKE WITH PEANUT BUTTER ICING

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two 8-inch nonstick cake pans with parchment paper.
• Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, espresso, coconut oil, vanilla and eggs. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add in the wet mixture, whisking until just combined.
• Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake on the center rack until puffed, the sides pull away from the edges and an inserted cake tester comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove the cakes from the oven, immediately cover them with clean kitchen towels and press any domed portions down¿careful, it's hot! (This will help make sure that you don't have to level the cakes.) Allow the cakes to cool in their pans to room temperature. When completely cooled, invert onto plates.
• For the icing: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the cream cheese and butter on medium speed, about 2 minutes. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure everything is evenly mixed. Add the peanut butter and mix on medium speed to combine. Again, turn the mixer off. Mix in the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on LOW speed (or else you'll have powdered sugar everywhere!). Add the vanilla and mix once more.
• Transfer the icing to a piping bag. Ice the top of one cake layer, using a circular motion, starting from the outside and gradually moving to the center; do not ice the sides of the cake. Set the second cake layer on top of the first and repeat with the icing; again, do not ice the sides. Drag the back of a spoon in a side-to-side motion across the icing on top to lend a beautifully textured look to the icing.
• Sprinkle the iced cake with the chopped peanuts. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

CHOCOLATY-PEANUT BUTTER ENCRUSTED RUM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Lightly spray coat of nonstick spray, then butter and flour bottom of bundt pan. Sprinkle chopped pecans onto the buttered pan.
• To make the batter, melt chocolate with 1/4 cup water by microwaving it for approximately 30 seconds and stir. In large mixing bowl, add melted chocolate mixture, eggs, oil, cake mix, pudding, and rum. Mix well. Pour batter in bundt pan and cook for 50 to 60 minutes.
• To make the primary glaze, gently boil butter, sugar, rum, water and crushed Butterfinger candy bar. When cake is ready, remove from oven and place on foil-covered hot plate. Prick top of cake with fork several times around top. Pour glaze over top of cake, saturating evenly. Use all of the glaze.
• Let it sit for 25 to 30 minutes. Get cake plate and put serving side down over top of bundt cake pan, thus inverting cake. Cover cake plate with dome and let sit 4 to 6 hours or overnight.
• To make the secondary glaze, melt milk chocolate candy bar, half-and-half, butter, water, and chocolate syrup. Stir well, then heavily drizzle glaze over top of cake and down the sides.
• Sprinkle 1/4 cup of crushed peanut butter crunch bar over top and let fall down sides. Serve.

PEANUT BUTTER AND CHOCOLATE CAKE II

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
• In a saucepan, combine 1 cup margarine, 1/4 cup cocoa, water, eggs, and 1/2 cup buttermilk in a saucepan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it bubbles. Remove from heat and set aside.
• In a large bowl, mix flour, 2 cups sugar and baking soda. Make a well in the center and pour in chocolate mixture. Add vanilla and beat until smooth. Spread batter into prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
• In a small bowl, mix peanut butter and oil. Spread over top of cake. In a saucepan, combine 1/4 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup margarine, and 6 tablespoons buttermilk. Heat until boiling. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Place confectioners' sugar in a large bowl. Beat in chocolate mixture and continue mixing until smooth. Spread over cake.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare and bake cake according to package directions, using a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. , In a small bowl, combine peanut butter and oil until smooth; spread over warm cake. Cool completely on a wire rack., In a microwave, heat frosting on high for 25-30 seconds or until pourable; stir until smooth. Carefully pour and spread over peanut butter layer. Let stand until set.

PEANUT BUTTER & CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and grease 2 x 22cm round cake tins, lining the bases with baking parchment and greasing the parchment too.
• Put the cocoa in a small bowl with 100ml hot water. Whisk together until smooth, then set aside. Put the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water and melt gently together, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
• In a large bowl, beat the sugar and eggs together using an electric whisk until thick and pale. With the blades still running, pour in the chocolate mixture, mixing until smooth and fully combined. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour and baking powder. Sieve the dry ingredients over the chocolate mixture and fold together until no lumps remain. Add the cocoa mixture and mix to combine. Divide the batter between your prepared tins and bake for 30-35 mins or until a skewer inserted into the middle comesout clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the tins for about 10 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack, peeling off the parchment, to cool completely.
• For the icing, beat the butter in a large bowl with an electric whisk until light and creamy. Beat in the icing sugar a little at a time, then add the peanut butter, mixing until smooth. Add a pinch of salt and the cream, again mixing until smooth.
• To assemble the cake, use a large serrated knife to slice each cake in half. Place the first round of cake onto a cake board or serving plate and top with a thin layer of icing. Repeat until all the cake layers have been used. To decorate, use the remaining icing to spread over the top and sides of the cake. Use a spatula or a palette knife to create a swirl pattern around the outside of the cake, and finish by pressing the pretzels onto the top and sides - there is enough to cover about half the sides, leaving the icing partially on display. Best served within 2 days of baking, but the cake will keep for up to 4 days.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CAKE WITH BUTTERFINGER FROSTING

Steps:

• For filling:.
• Bring cream and sugar to simmer in saucepan, whisking to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat. Add chocolate; let stand 1 minute. Whisk until smooth. Whisk in peanut butter. Chill uncovered overnight.
• For cake:.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Butter three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line bottoms with parchment paper. Sift first 4 ingredients into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter and peanut butter in large bowl until blended. Beat in sugar. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, then vanilla. At low speed, beat in flour mixture in 4 additions alternately with buttermilk in 3 additions.
• Divide batter among pans and spread evenly. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool cakes 5 minutes. Turn out onto racks; peel off parchment. Cool cakes completely.
• For frosting:.
• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese, 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla in large bowl to blend. Whisk whipping cream and 3/4 cup powdered sugar in bowl until mixture holds medium-firm peaks. Fold into cream cheese mixture in 3 additions; chill until firm but spreadable, about 1 hour.
• Place 1 cake layer, bottom side up, on 9-inch tart pan bottom. Spread with half of filling. Place another layer, bottom side up, on work surface. Spread with remaining filling; place atop first layer. Top with remaining cake layer, bottom side up.
• Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome; chill. Let stand at room temperature 2 hours before continuing.) Press candy and peanuts onto top of cake.

CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER BUNDT CAKE

Steps:

• Make the peanut butter filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the peanut butter, cream cheese and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the egg and vanilla and mix on medium speed until fully incorporated. Add the flour and salt and mix on low speed to combine. Scrape the mixture into a large resealable plastic bag (or pastry bag) and set aside. (Alternatively, you can scrape the mixture into a medium bowl.) If necessary, rinse and dry the paddle attachment and bowl before proceeding.
• Make the cake: Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Lightly spray a 10-inch bundt pan with nonstick spray. Add a few spoonfuls of cocoa powder into the pan and tap it around until the pan is fully coated in cocoa.
• Place 1 cup/95 grams cocoa powder in a medium heat-safe bowl, and pour the boiling water over it. Whisk well to combine, then add the buttermilk and whisk to combine.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter, oil and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on medium speed until fully incorporated and scraping the bowl between each addition. Add the vanilla and mix on low speed to combine.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt to combine. Add about a third of this mixture to the mixer and mix on low speed to combine.
• Add half of the cocoa-buttermilk mixture to the mixer and mix on low speed to combine. Continue to alternate adding the dry and wet ingredients until the batter is uniformly combined.
• Pour about 2/3 of the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Cut a 1-inch opening from one of the bottom corners of the bag and squeeze the peanut butter filling into the pan, making a ring in the center of the chocolate batter aiming not to touch the outer edge or inner tube of the pan. Alternatively, you can gently spoon the peanut butter mixture on top of the chocolate batter, aiming to create a ring shape.
• Pour the remaining chocolate cake batter on top of the peanut butter filling and gently spread into an even layer. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake until a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour or up to 1 hour 10 minutes.
• Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then use a small offset spatula to gently loosen the cake at the edges and around the inner tube, and invert it onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
• Make the peanut butter glaze: Heat the cream in a small pot to a simmer. In a small heat-safe bowl, mix the peanut butter and confectioners' sugar to combine, then add the hot cream, and mix until smooth. It should be thick but still loose enough to drizzle easily.
• Make the chocolate glaze: Heat the cream in the small pot to a simmer. Place the chocolate in a medium heat-safe bowl, then pour the hot cream over it. Stir until the mixture is totally smooth. It will be thinner than the peanut butter glaze.
• Place the cake on the cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Spoon half of the chocolate glaze over the cake, letting it drip down the sides, then spoon half of the peanut butter glaze on top. Repeat this process with the remaining glaze, and use the back of the spoon to gently swirl where the two glazes meet in a few spots. Gently remove the cake and transfer to a serving platter. Allow the glaze to set at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER NO-BAKE CAKE

Steps:

• Add milk to peanut butter in medium bowl, beating with wire whisk until well blended. Add dry pudding mix. Beat 2 min. or until well blended. Stir in the whipped topping.
• Reserve 5 of the wafers for later use. Spread about 1 tsp. of the pudding mixture onto each of the remaining 50 wafers. Stack wafers together, standing them on edge around outer edge of round serving platter to form a ring. Spread with the remaining pudding mixture. Refrigerate 6 hours or overnight.
• Crush remaining 5 wafers; sprinkle over dessert. Make chocolate curls. Top with the chocolate curls. Fill center of ring with strawberries. Store leftover dessert in refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER GOOEY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
• For crust, mix cake mix, egg, and 1 stick of melted butter with a large spoon and pat into the bottom and up the sides of pan.
• For filling mix cream cheese, peanut butter, and eggs together with mixer until smooth, scraping down the sides.
• Add powdered sugar and vanilla.
• Mix until smooth.
• Slowly add melted butter to filling and mix until smooth.
• Pour the filling over the crust and bake 25 - 30 minutes.
• Check after 25 minutes.
• When it is done, the edges will pull away from the sides of pan and the filling will have browned, but middle should be very gooey. It will still jiggle.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH PEANUT BUTTER FILLING

Steps:

• Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions. Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack., In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in peanut butter and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. , Split cake in half horizontally; place bottom layer on a serving plate. Spread with the peanut butter mixture. Top with remaining cake. Refrigerate until chilled., In a small heavy saucepan, bring cream to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Stir in chocolate chips; cook and stir until chocolate is melted. Refrigerate until spreadable. Frost top and sides of cake. Refrigerate until serving.

CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare cake batter and bake in 13x9-inch pan as directed on package; cool completely.
• Beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add peanut butter; mix well. Blend in 1 cup COOL WHIP; spread onto cake.
• Melt chocolate as directed on package. Mix with remaining COOL WHIP; spread over cake. Refrigerate 1 hour.

GIANT CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE CAKE RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Make the cookie cake layers: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease 4 8-inch round cake pans with nonstick spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed for about 4 minutes, or until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla and mix for 1 minute more, until incorporated.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined.
• Divide the dough evenly between the prepared cake pans, spreading evenly to cover the bottoms of the pans completely.
• Bake the cookie cakes for 15-20 minutes, or until they have firmed up and start to pull away from the sides of the pans. It's okay if they are a bit soft in the centers, but not runny; they will continue to firm up as they cool. Let the cookie cakes cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Make the peanut butter frosting: Add the butter and Skippy® Creamy Peanut Butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix on low speed until incorporated. Add the vanilla, salt, and milk, and whip on medium speed for 3-5 minutes, or until very light and fluffy. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
• Assemble the cookie cake: Pipe a small amount of frosting onto the center of a plate or cake stand, then place a cookie cake layer on top to secure. Pipe the frosting on top of the cookie in a spiral pattern to cover completely. Repeat with the remaining cake layers and frosting, finishing with a thin layer of frosting atop the final cookie layer. Using an offset spatula, spread the top layer of frosting evenly over the top of the cake. Using a cake scraper, gently smooth the frosting around the sides of the cake so it is flush with the edges of the cookies, adding more frosting as needed to fill any gaps. Transfer the cake to the refrigerator or freezer to chill for about 30 minutes.
• Make the chocolate ganache: Add the cream to a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high power for 30 seconds. Add the chocolate chips and let sit for 1 minute, then stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the ganache is smooth. Let cool for 1-2 minutes, then transfer to a piping bag. Cut a small opening in the tip of the bag.
• Remove the cake from the refrigerator. Carefully pipe the ganache around the sides of the cake so it drips over the edge, varying the length of each drip. Pipe more ganache on top of the cake and use an offset spatula to spread in an even layer.
• Transfer the remaining peanut butter frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe dollops of frosting around the top edge of the cake. Garnish the cake with the chopped peanuts.
• Slice and serve.
• Enjoy!

QUICK & EASY CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CAKE

Steps:

• CAKE:.
• Make cake as directed on box. (I always use the 13x9 pan.).
• FROSTING:.
• In a medium bowl, mix the cool whip, pudding, and peanut butter until smooth.
• Frost the cooled cake with the frosting. Put in the refrigerator for an hour or so (to give the frosting time to set up).
• * Optional- If you like, you may drizzle chocolate syrup across the top for a pretty presentation.
• ** Cooking time includes chill time.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CAKE IN A JAR RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Add the angel food cake mix and chocolate cake mix to a jar. Place a cupcake liner over the cake mix and add the peanut butter chips and chocolate chips. Cover with the lid.
• Store in the pantry for up to 3 months.
• When ready to eat, remove the lid and cupcake liner with the chips from the jar. Pour the water into the dry cake mix. Mix thoroughly, making sure to scrape the dry mix from the bottom of the jar.
• Microwave for 20 seconds.
• Pour the peanut butter and chocolate chips into the jar. Stir the chips into the cake gently, being careful not to push them to the bottom because they will naturally sink into the cake while cooking.
• Microwave for another 40 seconds, until cooked through.
• Top with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and peanut butter chips, if desired.
• Serve immediately.
• Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CAKE

Steps:

• Set out your cream cheese and butter to come to room temperature.
• Combine cake mix, water, eggs and oil.
• Beat with electric mixer for 2 minutes.
• Pour into 3 8-inch pans, or 2 9-inch pans, depending on how many layers you want to end up with.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, until it's no longer jiggly in the middle.
• Let layers cool in pans for 15 minutes and then turn out onto a rack to finish cooling.
• To make the frosting: beat the cream cheese, butter, and peanut butter until fluffy.
• Add powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, while continuing to beat the frosting until it's all incorporated. Try not to lick the beaters.
• Fill and frost the cake layers, and set the cake in the fridge to chill a little bit while you prepare the ganache coating.
• Microwave the chocolate chips and corn syrup for 30 seconds, stir, and then microwave another 30 seconds until it's all smooth and melty. Keep stirring; they'll melt easily. Avoid over-heating.
• Whisk in the half-and-half until it's all incorporated and the ganache is all smooth and shiny.
• While it's still warm, take the cake out of the fridge and slowly pour the ganache all over the cake, letting it drip down the sides.
• Chop up the candy and sprinkle on top of the cake.
• Chill for 30 minutes, uncovered, and then eat!

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE & PEANUT BUTTER LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Oil and line the base of three 19cm sandwich tins. Mix the flour, cocoa, bicarb and sugar in a bowl. Make a well in the centre and beat in the syrup, eggs, oil and milk with an electric whisk until smooth.
• Divide the mix between the tins, and bake for 25-30 mins until the cakes are risen and firm to the touch. Cool in the tins for 10 mins before turning out onto a cooling rack and cooling completely. At this stage, they can be frozen, well wrapped, for up to eight weeks.
• Make the bark while the cake is cooling. Melt the chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring every 20 secs, until smooth. Spoon onto a parchment-lined baking tray and smooth over with a spatula to make a thinnish layer, around 35 x 20cm. Sprinkle over the chocolate chips along with the pieces of pretzel and honeycomb, then chill until solid. Remove the bark from the fridge and leave for a minute to come to room temperature before using a sharp knife to cut it into shards (if it's fridge cold, the chocolate will snap rather than cut). Chill again until you're ready to decorate the cake.
• To make the icing, melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring between short blasts, then leave to cool a little. Meanwhile, beat the butter, icing sugar and 1 tbsp boiling water with an electric whisk or stand mixer, slowly at first, then turn up the speed and beat until you get a pale, fluffy icing. Spoon out a third of the mix into a separate bowl and stir in the peanut butter. Whisk the melted chocolate into the remainder of the icing, then beat in the cocoa if you want a darker, more chocolatey-coloured icing.
• Sandwich the three cakes together with the peanut butter icing. Use half the chocolate icing to coat the sides and top of the cake and fill in the edges between the layers, scraping off any excess. Chill for 20 mins. This is called a crumb coating, allowing you to get a really smooth finish when it comes to the final icing.
• Spread the remaining chocolate icing over the lightly chilled cake, smoothing over the sides and top so you get a neat finish. Chill again for 20 mins.
• To make the ganache, heat the cream in a small pan until steaming. Tip the dark chocolate into a bowl, then pour over the cream. Mix well until smooth and shiny. Transfer to a piping bag and leave to cool for a few mins at room temperature.
• Pipe the ganache on top of the cake, nudging it over the edge and allowing it to drip down neatly. Do this all the way round the cake, then fill in the centre with more ganache. Smooth the top with a knife. Chill for 1 hr for the ganache to set.
• Press the bark shards into the cake, sticking up. Add lots of chocolate eggs, popcorn and pretzels in and around the shards. Cut into slices to serve. Will keep for up to three days kept in a cool place in an airtight container.

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.
• Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla.
• Beat for 2 minutes.
• Stir in coffee, (batter will be thin).
• Pour into a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.
• Cool completely on a wire rack.
• Frosting:.
• Beat the cream cheese and peanut butter in a mixing bowl until smooth.
• Beat in sugar, milk and vanilla.
• Spread over cake.
• Sprinkle with chocolates chips.
• Store in refrigerator.