Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Recipe (To Die For!)

Chocolate Cake Recipe is as follows:
2 c sugar
1 c vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 c all purpose flour
3/4 c cocoa, unsweetened
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 c coffee, room temperature (or water, but coffee is better)
1 c buttermilk (if you do not have buttermilk, regular milk will suffice)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. This is a "from scratch" cake, meaning if you decide to use different size pans, you will need to adjust the baking time. Best course of action: check cake every 5 minutes after the 30 minute mark. I used a bunt pan, because I love the simplicity of the cakes produced. I am not much of a baker, so baking layers is tedious to me. However, layers of cake with this frosting would be phenomenal.

Using an electric mixer, combine sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Beat this just until mixed. I personally use a Kitchen Aid mixer, they are lovely. Then add remaining ingredients: flour, cocoa, baking powder, soda, salt, coffee and buttermilk. Mix on medium speed for about a minute. Pour into a greased and floured pan of your choice. Pans that can be used:

* 9x13x2-inch pan
* 2 9-inch round pans
* 3 8-inch round pans
* 1 10-inch round pan

Bake for approximately 45 minutes....checking for doneness after 30 minutes. To check the cake hold a knife over the cake and let the knife "fall" into the cake. If the cake is done, the knife will be clean when you pull it out of the cake.

To make frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 c peanut butter
1/2 c confectioner's sugar
1/2 tsp salt
12 oz cool whip, thawed

Additional toppings: chopped chocolate chip cookies, oreos, reece's peanut butter cups (chopped or whole), nuts, chocolate syrup, etc...I used Reece's peanut butter cups and chocolate chip cookies, then I topped the cake with chocolate syrup.

Directions:
Combine cream cheese, confectioner's sugar, salt, peanut butter. Mix on low until smooth. Using a spatula, gently fold in whipped topping until smooth. Chill the frosting for about an hour.

Do not frost cake until it is cool. A hot cake will melt the frosting, and create a huge mess.

Frost cake, then add desired toppings as mentioned above. Let me know what you think!