Buckeye Cake

Decadent and rich, this moist chocolate cake layered with a creamy peanut butter filling and chocolate ganache topping is sure to delight friends and family. Elegant in appearance but easy to make, Krista Linegar of Willits, CA created this Grand Prize Winning cake because it reminded her of her Grandma’s Buckeye candies.

Cake:
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 packets (1 ounce each) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® CHOCO BAKE® Pre-Melted Unsweetened Chocolate Flavor
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

Peanut Butter Layer:
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup powdered sugar

Ganache:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 cups (12 ounce package) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

Drizzle:
1/3 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Peanut Butter & Milk Chocolate Morsels

1. PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 9-inch-round cake pan. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper; grease.

2. FOR CAKE: Combine eggs and sugar in large bowl. Stir in flour, melted butter, Choco Bake, vanilla extract and salt until smooth. Pour into prepared pan.

3. BAKE for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 5 minutes. Run knife around edge of cake; cool for an additional 10 minutes. Invert cake onto serving platter. Remove pan and parchment; cool completely.

4. FOR PEANUT BUTTER LAYER: Beat peanut butter, butter and vanilla extract in medium mixer bowl until combined. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Spread mixture on cake. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

5. FOR GANACHE: Heat cream in small saucepan to boiling; remove from heat. Add semi-sweet morsels; let stand 5 minutes. Stir; refrigerate for 30 minutes or until mixture is spreadable. Spread chocolate on top and sides of cake.

6. FOR DRIZZLE: Melt peanut butter and milk chocolate morsels in resealable plastic bag on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 30 seconds. Knead bag to mix. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals until melted. Cut a small hole from corner of bag; squeeze to drizzle over cake. Store in refrigerator. Let stand for 30 minutes before serving.

Makes 8 servings.

Recipe and photograph are the property of Nestlé® and Meals.com - used with permission.