Slow Cooker Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake: Fudgy and Irresistible

This Slow Cooker Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake is a decadent, moist, and utterly irresistible dessert that requires minimal effort. By blending creamy peanut butter directly into the chocolate cake mix batter, you achieve a deep flavor and fudgy texture. Furthermore, the cake is topped with a rich, velvety peanut butter glaze and miniature peanut butter cups, making this crock pot dessert a perfect centerpiece for any gathering.

Ingredients for a Chocolate and Peanut Butter Dream

This recipe uses simple ingredients, maximizing the contrast between the rich chocolate and the salty, sweet peanut butter.

• Chocolate cake mix: The convenient dry base for the cake layer.
• Water: Provides necessary liquid for the cake mix.
• Eggs: Acts as a binder and adds richness to the cake.
• Creamy peanut butter (for the cake): Blended directly into the batter to create a moist, dense, and flavorful cake base.
• Butter: Softened; adds essential fat and tenderness to the cake structure.
• Peanut Butter Glaze:
  • Creamy peanut butter (for the glaze): Provides the intense peanut flavor for the creamy topping.
  • Milk: Used to thin the glaze to a pourable consistency.
  • Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness and body to the glaze.
• Toppings:
  • Fudge sauce: Used for drizzling, adding an extra layer of chocolate richness.
  • Miniature peanut butter cups: Unwrapped and cut in half; scattered on top for texture and classic flavor.

How to Make Slow Cooker Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

This method is straightforward, combining all cake ingredients at once and letting the slow cooker handle the baking.

1. Preparing the Cake

The key to the cake is ensuring all the fats (peanut butter and butter) are smoothly incorporated.

1. Prep Cooker: Spray a 6-quart oval slow cooker with cooking spray.
2. Mix Cake Batter: Using an electric mixer, beat cake mix, water, eggs, $1/2$ cup peanut butter, and butter on low speed for 30 seconds and then on medium speed for 2 minutes.
3. Cook: Pour batter into slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. (If your crock pot runs hot, check after 1 hour and 30 minutes.)

2. Glazing and Serving

The glaze is whisked together quickly while the cake cools, ensuring it is smooth and ready for spreading.

1. Cool: Remove slow cooker insert and place on a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes.
2. Make Glaze: Whisk together peanut butter, milk, and powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Spread on top of cake.
3. Top and Serve: Sprinkle fudge sauce and peanut butter cups on top.

Recipe Notes and Serving Suggestions

• Cooking Time: Check after 1 hour and 30 minutes if you know your slow cooker runs hot. The center should look mostly set when done.
• Glaze Consistency: Peanut Butter Glaze: If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny splash more milk; if it's too thin, add a touch more powdered sugar. It should be easily spreadable.
• Cake Pan: Slow cooker size: A 6-quart oval slow cooker works best to give the cake a good height.
• Serving: Serve warm or at room temperature. The cake is rich enough on its own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it extra special.