Cakes

One-Bowl Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

4.67 from 12 votes
With just one bowl you can make my Peanut Butter Sheet Cake recipe and find yourself with enough moist cake and peanut butter flavor to feed a crowd!

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHAT YOU GET: A classic, moist peanut butter sheet cake recipe, topped with a sweet, creamy peanut butter frosting. It’s the perfect dessert to feed a crowd — and only made in one bowl!

Get ready to be adored by the people in your life who love peanutty treats — this moist peanut butter sheet cake couldn’t be more simple to make, and I honestly don’t know how I could make it more delicious!

When I think of summer, I always think of big BBQs. And while most people are worried about the main course and all the iconic fixings, my mind is on how we’re going to end the night with a delicious dessert. 

If there’s a big crowd, then a classic sheet cake topped with Peanut Butter Buttercream is an easy answer. Major bonus points for this recipe: it comes together in one bowl. One bowl, one sheet pan — done! 

Yep, this is an easy one-bowl sheet cake that is perfectly moist and has all the peanut buttery flavors you crave. If you’re looking for different flavors, though, try my Funfetti Sheet CakeCarrot Cake Sheet Cake, or The Ultimate Texas Sheet Cake!

What Type Of Peanut Butter Should I Use For Baking?

Every recipe is different, but when I tested this recipe, I found the best type of peanut butter for a sheet cake was conventional peanut butter. What shelf-stable peanut butter, like Jif or Skippy, has that natural peanut does not is emulsified oil. The emulsified oil helps keep the peanut butter together — unlike natural peanut butter which needs to be stirred before using and remains a bit watery. 

I also used creamy peanut butter for the sheet cake. However, if you’d like peanut bits throughout your cake, go for crunchy style! 

Can I Freeze Peanut Butter Sheet Cake?

As if this one-bowl cake could get even better — you can freeze the cake. I recommend freezing the cake before decorating it with any frosting or toppings. 

Once the cake has cooled completely, put the entire sheet cake into the freezer. Once frozen, wrap it in plastic wrap and foil or an airtight container. It can stay frozen for up to 2 months.

Before decorating and serving, let the cake thaw in your refrigerator overnight, then unwrap it, decorate, and serve! 

Don’t Have Buttermilk? Buttermilk Substitutions

Buttermilk is a baker’s best friend, so naturally, you may find yourself completely out of stock when baking. Don’t worry. Learn how to make a buttermilk substitute here

Tools You Need To Make One-Bowl Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

  • For baking, conventional peanut butter with emulsified oil works better than the natural stuff.
  • Unless you want peanut bits in your cake, use creamy peanut butter!
  • You can add 1 cup (6 oz/170 g) finely chopped semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate for a peanut butter chocolate chip cake! 
  • Make sure your frosting is soft and at room temperature before using, or it will tear this delicate cake.
  • A crumb coat is helpful when frosting this cake: to do this, spread a very thin layer of frosting over the entire surface of the cake to seal in the crumbs, then refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes to firm up. Proceed with frosting the cake.
  • Instead of Peanut Butter Frosting, you can try Salted Caramel FrostingVanilla Frosting, or Chocolate Frosting on this cake.
  • If you want to make a quick and simple layer cake, you can cut this cake into thirds and stack the layers with a frosting of your choice.

Make More Sheet Cake

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One-Bowl Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

4.67 from 12 votes
With just one bowl you can make my Peanut Butter Sheet Cake recipe for loads of moist cake & peanut butter, enough to feed many!
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 20
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 24 minutes
With just one bowl you can make my Peanut Butter Sheet Cake recipe for loads of moist cake & peanut butter, enough to feed many!
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 20

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (16 oz/450 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (8 fl oz/240 ml) water (hot)
  • ½ cup (4 oz/115 ml) creamy peanut butter
  • ¾ cup (6 oz/170 g) butter (melted)
  • ½ cup (4 fl oz/120 ml) buttermilk (at room temperature)
  • ¼ cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups (10 oz/284 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 recipe Peanut Butter Frosting
  • Shaved chocolate and chopped peanuts , for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and butter and flour an 11 x 17-inch (28 x 43-cm) jelly roll pan. Set aside
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, hot water, and peanut butter until smooth.
  • Stir in the melted butter, buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt and again, whisk until smooth.
  • Fold in the flour until evenly combined, then spread in the prepared pan.
  • Bake for 22 to 24 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Let cool in the pan completely before frosting with Peanut Butter Frosting.
  • Garnish with shaved chocolate and chopped peanuts if you wish and serve straight from the pan. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
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Ashley
Ashley
1 year ago

Firstly, this cake turned out wonderful. It was perfectly peanut buttery, tender, and fluffy. I followed recipe with exactness and was worried that it called for too much liquid. It did seem very watery, but I baked it as directed, and was not disappointed. Served this for a family gathering and was simply perfect. Thanks for the recipe!

Ruby
Ruby
1 year ago

Hi Gemma, can i use homemade peanut butter for this recipe. Will it change the texture of the cake

clvinson
clvinson
1 year ago

I was wondering if this batter would work as cupcakes?

Susan
Susan
1 year ago

Easy, delicious peanut butter sheet cake topped with your equally good peanut buttercream frosting. Thank you!

Dawn Seow
Dawn Seow
1 year ago

Hi Gemma! I tried this recipe but it was too oily and wet, even after being in the oven for an additional 2 mins. The batter before baking was very runny, if I were to attempt this recipe again.. I’d likely reduce the amount of liquid slightly.

It was real peanut buttery though 😀

John
John
1 year ago

Calls for 1 recipe peanut butter icing BUT no recipe??

Karen
Karen
1 year ago

This is my new favorite cake! It’s easy and delicious. I had to leave it in the over for about 28 minutes because it was very wet, but, other than that, it was WONDERFUL! Thank you for the recipe!

Lori C
Lori C
1 year ago

I don’t see the recipe for the frosting.

Lisa
Lisa
1 year ago

Can I use powdered peanut butter? Cake has lots of oil already- will I need to add something extra? Thx Gema!!!

Bhooma
Bhooma
1 year ago

Hi Gemma,
What could I use as a substitute for eggs & how much? Thanks for your amazing recipes.

About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

 

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