Chocolate-Peanut Butter Torte

by Jamie on January 19, 2011

Post image for Chocolate-Peanut Butter Torte

Chocolate and Peanut Butter combines into one amazingly rich and indulgent dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Really, do I need to say anything more?

In my opinion, chocolate and peanut butter is about as close to perfection as it gets! Even though I have never been a huge fan of chocolate on its own, toss in some peanut butter and I’ll happily eat myself sick! I think I may have inherited my love of all things peanut butter and chocolate from my dad, he’s a big fan of hiding Reese Cups in the freezer; especially the Reese’s Eggs…I think there may be a tad peanut buttery goodness in those!

This Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte recipe is easy to prepare and it’s the perfect dessert to share with a crowd. A thick, dense, brownie like cake layer pairs perfectly with a creamy peanut butter glaze to create a seriously decadent dessert. A tiny sliver is enough to send someone into chocolate-peanut butter bliss. Be sure to have a pot of coffee or a gallon of milk on hand, because trust me; you’re going to need it!

*1/26/11- Update: Several readers mentioned having issues with the glaze. After testing the recipe for a third time, I realized that I used heavy cream and not half and half. The cartons were almost identical and I got them confused. I apologize for the mistake and thank those of you for bringing it to my attention. The recipe has been changed to reflect this correction.


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Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte

Yield: Serves 8-10

Ingredients:

For the Cake

1 cup butter, melted, plus more for pan
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
10 individual Reese's Cups, chopped

For the filling:

1/4 cup peanut butter, heated in microwave at 10 second intervals for easy spreading

For the glaze:

3 tablespoons peanut butter
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more if needed

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter 2 (8-inch) round pans and line with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl combine the 1 cup melted butter and cocoa and stir until the cocoa is dissolved.

3. Add the sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, and mix well. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and mix until incorporated. Stir in the vanilla, flour and salt and combine until the flour is no longer visible. Fold in the chopped peanut butter cups and divide the mixture between the pans.

4. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside to cool. Run a knife around the edge of each pan and turn out onto a work surface.

5. Put 1 cake layer on a cake plate or a round platter. Spread the 1/4 cup of peanut butter over the first layer and top with the second layer. In a bowl, combine the remaining 3 tablespoons of peanut butter, the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and heavy cream until a glaze forms. Add more half and half, if needed, to achieve desired thick glaze consistency. Pour the glaze on top of the torte, spreading it out with a small knife allowing it to drip over the sides. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler and drizzle over the glaze. Cut into slices and serve.

Notes:

- adapted from Food Network

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{ 63 comments… read them below or add one }

avatar 1 Sherry Greek January 19, 2011 at 7:21 pm

Oh my this certainly is indulgent! Though, I’m sure I could see myself having a slice or two;)

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avatar 2 Joanne January 19, 2011 at 7:33 pm

I’m not a big chocolate person either but add some peanut butter? And I will happily drown myself in chocolate/PB love. This torte looks amazing! That dense brownie with the lusciously nutty glaze? Heaven in a slice.

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avatar 3 Kimmy @Lighter and Local January 19, 2011 at 8:27 pm

This embraces the purest forms of chocolate and peanut butter, it doesn’t mess around, it just *is*. Oh yum.

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avatar 4 Blog is the New Black January 19, 2011 at 8:48 pm

Looks amazing. PB & choc is a deadly delicious combo!

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avatar 5 Laura January 19, 2011 at 8:51 pm

Mmm sounds decadent! Nothing beats the chocolate-peanut butter combination! I think I’ll have to try this for my upcoming anniversary with the fiance! Thanks for sharing!

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avatar 6 Megan January 19, 2011 at 8:56 pm

Oh my! This looks divine/to die for! I can’t wait to try it.

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avatar 7 Ryan January 19, 2011 at 9:10 pm

Oh my gosh that looks absolutely amaaazing!

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avatar 8 Shaina January 19, 2011 at 9:11 pm

Gah. You’re killing me.

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avatar 9 Katrina January 19, 2011 at 9:29 pm

Oh man, this looks deadly! This could bring world peace….along with a cold glass of milk.

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avatar 10 Brooke (Baking with Basil) January 19, 2011 at 9:44 pm

Pretty sure I need to invite over everyone I know because I must make this! I’m with your dad..LOVE those Reese’s Eggs!!

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avatar 11 Heather (Heather's Dish) January 19, 2011 at 10:01 pm

methinks all i want and need in life right now is this torte!

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avatar 12 Liz January 19, 2011 at 10:06 pm

What kind of cream is this? (heavy, whipping?)

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avatar 13 Jamie January 19, 2011 at 10:16 pm

Liz-
I fixed the post, for some reason it published the draft version. It’s half and half. Thanks so much for stopping by.
-Jamie

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avatar 14 Katie @ goodLife {eats} January 19, 2011 at 10:12 pm

This looks amazing. I just might have to try it with almond butter since we don’t ever have peanut butter in the house.

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avatar 15 Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen January 19, 2011 at 10:39 pm

Heaven on a plate! You are singing my song, that is, if peanut butter and chocolate were a song!

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avatar 16 Ellise January 20, 2011 at 12:51 am

I want this! I need this! Looks absolutely delightful.

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avatar 17 Rosa January 20, 2011 at 1:32 am

Irresistible! A cake that must be addictively divine.

Cheers,

Rosa

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avatar 18 Paula B. January 20, 2011 at 6:56 am

Don’t know how I missed this one yesterday, oh my! This looks rather quick, easy, and absolutely decadent for those p.b. and chocolate lovers out there. Thank you, thank you, nothing beats a frozen Reese’s but I think this might just do the trick! Will be baking this for a dinner party next week (if I can wait ’till then…).

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avatar 19 Annalise January 20, 2011 at 11:06 am

This looks AMAZING, thanks for sharing!

I’ve fallen in love with your blog. I love your recipes, your photos, all of it!

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avatar 20 Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies January 20, 2011 at 11:07 am

Jamie, I want this so much that I can’t even articulate it properly. And it would be all mine too, since the hubs hates peanut butter! Mwahahahahaha!

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avatar 21 Dad January 20, 2011 at 11:13 am

Queen, could you please Fed Ex me a whole Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte Pie, it looks like it could be my favorite, but will not know till I try! Have you used the Big Bar of Chocolate I gave you? Love, Dad

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avatar 22 mel January 20, 2011 at 12:22 pm

omg! I believe it is possible to die and go to heaven, while at your “work” desk….LOVE THIS!!! I seriously am trying to figure out how I can squeeze this into an event soon…no birthdays til next month…not valentines yet…anniversary over…um, does “it’s Friday tomorrow” count?!!!

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avatar 23 Rhondi January 20, 2011 at 12:34 pm

I can’t wait to make these! Peanut butter and chocolate are my favorite combo.

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avatar 24 Tracy January 20, 2011 at 1:28 pm

Wow, this looks so decadent! What a gorgeous torte!

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avatar 25 SMITH BITES January 20, 2011 at 1:51 pm

Laughed out Loud at ‘dad’s’ comment above!! and while you’re at it, could you send one this way too??! Queen of decadence is what i’m calling you!

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avatar 26 Jamie January 20, 2011 at 2:15 pm

He’s the sweetest! That’s been my nickname since childhood…at 31 that’s still all he calls me! <3 him!

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avatar 27 Katherine January 20, 2011 at 1:52 pm

This looks really good, so good that I just finished making it. I have a question about the glaze though – it’s really runny, and the peanut butter isn’t mixing in very well. 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar to 1/2 cup cream seems off too. Usually there’s more sugar and just a few tbsps. of liquid. I tried microwaving it a bit to melt the peanut butter in, and I added more confectioners’ sugar, but it’s still off. I’m sure it will still taste good, but I must admit mine looks kind of funny. Not nearly as pretty as yours… :)

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avatar 28 Jamie January 20, 2011 at 2:18 pm

Kathrine-
Mine was slightly runny as well. The photo was taken after it had been in the refrigerator overnight. I used a whisk to incorporate and didn’t have an issue. The consistency is more glaze-like than frosting. I hope this makes sense.
-Jamie

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avatar 29 Happy When Not Hungry January 20, 2011 at 2:16 pm

This looks amazing! My mouth is literally watering. I def have to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing :-)

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avatar 30 Justeen @ Blissful Baking January 20, 2011 at 3:00 pm

Chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in heaven! This torte looks incredible! I made a dessert with the same name a while back, but it’s very different – an oreo crust filled with peanut butter mousse and topped with chocolate ganache and peanuts. It was amazing!

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avatar 31 Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction January 20, 2011 at 3:54 pm

You can’t go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter… This torte looks fabulous!

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avatar 32 Amy (Sing For Your Supper) January 20, 2011 at 5:04 pm

Wow, what a beautiful looking dessert! These pictures are fantastic!!!

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avatar 33 Michelle January 20, 2011 at 5:27 pm

Oh my!!! It looks devine!

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avatar 34 Michelle January 20, 2011 at 5:27 pm

Oops… divine, I meant. I have too much peanut butter on the brain! LOL

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avatar 35 Beth January 20, 2011 at 8:08 pm

I am the same way! Chocolate on its own is ok but with peanut butter, count me in :) I also got my love for peanut butter from my dad. Thanks for the great recipe!

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avatar 36 Sharlene January 20, 2011 at 11:18 pm

This looks like a wonderful dessert for a party. Everyone can have a little bit and be satisfied!

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avatar 37 Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen January 21, 2011 at 7:39 am

Oh, those Reese’s eggs get me every time! There really is nothing quite like chocolate and peanut butter, I think I could eat myself sick too, in fact I know I can and have on many occasions :-D Gorgeous torte, it looks so gooey and rich!

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avatar 38 Wenderly January 21, 2011 at 3:35 pm

There is nothing I LOVE more than peanut butter & chocolate! This torte has my name all over it!

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avatar 39 Laura January 21, 2011 at 5:33 pm

Looks wonderful! Out of curiosity, what makes this a torte, and not a cake? I thought tortes typically contained nut flour.

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avatar 40 Amanda January 21, 2011 at 5:35 pm

GAH orgeous!! I would love to eat some of the RIGHT NOW!!!

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avatar 41 teresa January 21, 2011 at 9:36 pm

what a beautiful dessert! chocolate and peanut butter are always welcome in my house!

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avatar 42 Jess January 21, 2011 at 11:54 pm

Not gonna lie, that looks pretty yummy right now. Chocolate and peanut butter are delicious together… Chocolate is good for you. Seriously! I read it the other day in one of my cookbooks. I may be taking the knowledge a little far, though…
It will make me feel better when I make this!
Jess : )

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avatar 43 naomi January 22, 2011 at 10:26 am

i can’t eat peanut butter, but this really makes me wish I could!

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avatar 44 Renee (Kudos Kitchen) January 22, 2011 at 2:16 pm

You are a wonderful baker Jen! All your goodies look simply amazing. Thanks for the recipe!

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avatar 45 Lauren at KeepItSweet January 22, 2011 at 5:11 pm

this might be the most perfect dessert ever!!

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avatar 46 Diana January 22, 2011 at 5:17 pm

Hi, another glaze problem here. I really just ended up with PB soup. I added more sugar for a total of 1/2 c, but that didn’t improve it and I stopped throwing good ingredients after bad. I’m afraid there has to be a typo – that ratio of ingredients just can’t make anything approaching a “glaze.”

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avatar 47 Jamie January 23, 2011 at 9:55 am

Diana-

I just got your comment regarding the PB Glaze on the Torte on My Baking Addiction. I really started to doubt myself, so I whipped it up again this morning. I used the exact proportions from the recipe and even had to add a little more half and half, so it’s definitely written correctly. Here is the link to the original recipe from food network that I adapted from. They use water instead of half and half and actually microwave the peanut butter for the glaze; I chose not to microwave.

I really have no explanation as to how yours turned out like soup, but I hope you found a way to remedy the issue. Happy Baking.

Jamie

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avatar 48 Lora @cakeduchess January 22, 2011 at 7:59 pm

PB and chocolate is my favorite combo! This looks wonderful. Lol.Your dad is too cute!!!

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avatar 49 Cookin' Canuck January 22, 2011 at 11:51 pm

Now I know what I am making my friend on her birthday. She’s a chocolate and peanut butter lover to the extreme and would go crazy over this torte. Perfect!

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avatar 50 Katie@Cozydelicious January 23, 2011 at 9:25 am

Amazing! There is nothing better than chocolate and peanut butter. Your torte is so pretty too… but I’d probably need an extra few hours at the gym for this one!

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avatar 51 Leslie January 23, 2011 at 11:26 am

Peanut butter and chocolate go together like Sonny and Cher!!!!

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avatar 52 Kristen January 23, 2011 at 11:56 pm

I think I just gained weight looking at that pic! Delicious!

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avatar 53 Ingrid January 24, 2011 at 2:56 pm

All this needs is a tall glass of milk! Yum!

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avatar 54 CaSaundra January 24, 2011 at 7:50 pm

Funny–I am the same way; not too fond of chocolate on it’s own, but paired with peanut butter and I’ll devour it immediately!

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avatar 55 Amy January 25, 2011 at 12:41 pm

10 individual Reese’s Cups, chopped- is that the miniature ones or just single regular size?

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avatar 56 Jamie January 26, 2011 at 8:05 pm

Amy-
Use regular size Reese Cups. Thanks for stopping by!
-Jamie

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avatar 57 JoAnn Shive January 25, 2011 at 11:44 pm

Hi Jamie,
This was absolutely delicious! I had to google a peanut butter glaze because mine was too soupy too. The one I found didn’t look as thick as yours but it tasted great. I also made your snicker cupcakes and they were just divine! I love your blog. My husband loves it that I love your blog too. Thanks for sharing!

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avatar 58 pam January 27, 2011 at 2:02 am

hi jamie,

I’m finishing the torte as I write this blog…I baked it 25 minutes and the cake looks dry. And I don’ t think I’m doing the glaze right. I have used half and half and got the right consistency but yours looks glazier and mine is kind of dull, did I miss anything??? I’ve yet to taste it tomorrow at our pot luck I hope it turns out okay.

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avatar 59 Pam January 27, 2011 at 4:38 pm

Hi Jamie,

We just finished our Chocolate Cake Day Potluck and I spoke too soon about my version of your Chocolate PB Torte, it was just exactly as it should be, perfect combination. At first i thought it was dry just by looking at it but i was wrong. And I caught your correction last night just in time when I was making the cake, so the glaze is just right. Thanks again for this amazing recipe. Until your next chocolate recipe.

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avatar 60 Hillary September 26, 2011 at 10:56 pm

This looks like it could be the enemy of my new jeans. I’m making this torte this weekend, and I’m beyond excited. But you call for “individual Reese’s cups”- the mini ones or regular ones?

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avatar 61 Hillary September 26, 2011 at 10:58 pm

Nevermind! Looked further up at previous comments and got it!

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avatar 62 Bettina January 4, 2012 at 9:38 am

I found your blog via Pinterest.

Ten years ago tomorrow is my wedding anniversary – and I’m trying to re-create the grooms cake (that my husband still complains that he NEVER got a piece of).

I have a feeling this will fit the bill. Thanks!
-Bettina

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avatar 63 Kimberly June 12, 2012 at 2:18 pm

Thanks to everyone who likes this recipe, as it is an adaptation of the one I made on the Food Network’s “Ultimate Recipe Showdown” in 2010. It’s true what they say; imitation is the finest form of flattery. Thanks again!

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