I stood in the kitchen staring into the pantry. An inkling of inspiration is all I wanted. The bottom row filled with pasta, dried beans, and potatoes gave no spark. The next shelf up filled with canned goods, dried fruits, and condiments drew a blank. I completely skipped the shelf with bread, chips, and cookies. The last hope was on the upper shelf with baking supplies, oils, and vinegar. There were the two ingredients which inspired me to get baking. Cocoa and baking chips turned into chocolate peanut butter snack cake.
My binder of clipped recipes provided the base recipe. It was one I cut out of a magazine or flyer over 15 years ago. I wish I could give credit to the source however that part of the page was missing. The only thing I cut and saved was the recipe itself. I’ve found similar ones on Betty Crocker and Hershey’s websites along with various other blogs. All I can do is send out a giant thanks to whoever developed the original recipe. I adapted it with using peanut butter chips and my own method/instructions.
How is the snack cake? It is moist with a deep chocolate flavor and topped with peanut butter chips. It comes together quickly. Usually with cakes there is time for butter and other refrigerated items to come to room temperature. All you have do to with this one is pull ingredients from the pantry, measure, mix, and bake. It’s fast and simple. The only challenge I had was keeping myself from eating it all day long. The chocolate peanut butter snack cake kept calling out to me relentlessly.
Do you find yourself looking in the pantry for inspiration? It’s hard sometimes to figure out what to cook or bake. I’m glad I finally decided to make this cake after all these years. It will be made again soon. Oh, and if you like PB and chocolate be sure to check out my peanut butter pie. It’s a flavor combo I can’t get enough of – how about you?
Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Cake
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup peanut butter chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 8- X 8- X 2-inch square baking pan.
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*Some cocoa powders tend to have lumps. Sift after measuring for best results.
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Whisk together flour, brown sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
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Add water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla and stir until combined.
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Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle peanut butter chips on top.
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Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
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Cut into squares or rectangles.
Recipe Notes
A recipe for chocolate peanut butter snack cake. It is a moist, single-layer chocolate cake topped with peanut butter chips. It is quick and easy to make.
Nicole says
October 17, 2013 at 9:53 amOh goodness Renee, this snack cake look heavenly!
I do stand in front of my pantries often trying to figure out what I might want to make that day, waiting for inspiration to strike.
Love this recipe, so much. Two of my favorites stuffed into one delicious cake.
Renee says
October 21, 2013 at 3:17 pmThanks Nicole. I think we all have those pantry or fridge staring times.
Soni says
October 17, 2013 at 11:19 amYour cake looks so moist and delicious Renee.Would love it with my cup of tea for sure 🙂 My kids love anything chocolate and peanut butter and I cannot wait to make it for them!
Renee says
October 21, 2013 at 3:19 pmThank you Soni and I hope your kids enjoy the snack cake when you make it for them.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
October 17, 2013 at 5:46 pmUsually I get trapped in the pantry trying to figure out dinner.
Regardless, I’m so happy you turned out this deeelicious snack cake!!
Renee says
October 21, 2013 at 3:19 pmI get trapped at the pantry for more than just these cookies too. Sometimes it is hard to get inspiration from what is on hand.
The Ninja Baker says
October 18, 2013 at 7:13 amYour cake does look divinely moist and chocolatey, Renee. And the PB chips can only make it that much better. (Doesn’t your husband love PB, too?) I’m guessing he was one happy camper seeing this beauty for dessert =)
Renee says
October 21, 2013 at 3:21 pmI think my husband may love PB more than me. However, he doesn’t eat it straight from the jar like I do.
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
October 19, 2013 at 9:18 amOMG, the famous wacky or salad (because it has salt, vinegar and oil) cake with peanut butter, such a great twist Renee! I made this cake so many times while in HS!
Renee says
October 21, 2013 at 3:21 pmI’ve never heard of a wacky or salad cake. I had no clue that is what this is also called. How neat!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
October 19, 2013 at 10:28 amRenee!
This and your peanut butter pie?!!! LOVE!!! chocolate + peanut butter is like my favorite combo. . this snack cake looks perfect! yum!
Renee says
October 21, 2013 at 3:22 pmThanks Alice
Dina says
October 19, 2013 at 8:34 pmlooks yummy!
Renee says
October 21, 2013 at 3:22 pmThanks Dina
COOLINARNA STREFA says
October 20, 2013 at 12:53 pmIt looks great. I will have to try it!
Renee says
October 21, 2013 at 3:22 pmThanks and I hope you enjoy it.
KayleneP @ The Links Site says
October 28, 2013 at 3:05 amI’m glad it is not just me that stands staring into the pantry searching for inspiration! This cake looks really nice and sounds quite easy to make.
Renee says
October 28, 2013 at 1:35 pmThanks Kaylene