The title of this recipe is misleading, it really should be peanut butter frosting and cake. I usually just use a box white cake mix and add shaved bittersweet chocolate to the batter — there’s your cake. The frosting is the star.

When I was a kid I saw a hamburger cake in a cookbook and asked my mom to make it for my birthday that year. The frosting for the “bun” was butterscotch — not my favorite — so my mom made peanut butter frosting instead. I honestly don’t remember the cake that much, but I’ve had peanut butter frosting on my birthday cake ever since. Coincidentally my husband had a similar frosting for his birthday cake too. Now both of our kids request it for their birthdays, so in late September, early October we enjoy peanut butter frosting on two birthday cakes in succession and then do the same in December.

Prep time – 15 minutes / Cook time – 45 minutes

  • 1 1/2 c. smooth peanut butter
  • 1 c. butter, softened
  • 1 t. vanilla
  • 2 – 3 c. powdered sugar
  • 1/4 c. milk

With a hand mixer, combine peanut butter and butter in a large bowl. Whip until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar one cup at a time alternating with milk as needed to make the frosting spreadable. Add vanilla last.