It's Farm Show Week!

...and in addition to farm animals, machinery, equestrian shows, and milk shakes, you'll find an expanse full of cakes, pies, fruits, veggies, crafts, and art pieces waiting to be judged as Best in Show.

This chocolate peanut butter iced cake, created by Madison Link of Erie County, won the Blue Ribbon at the 2024 Pennsylvania Farm Show. Who doesn't love chocolate and peanut butter?!

J’S SLICE OF HEAVEN CAKE

By Madison Link of Erie County.

For the cake:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup hot coffee
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 F. In a large bowl, sift together dry ingredients.
2. Add oil, coffee and milk. Mix at medium speed for 2 minutes.
3. Add eggs and vanilla and beat for two more minutes. Batter will be thin.
4. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans.
5. Pour batter into pans and bake for about 30-45 minutes.
6. Cool in pans for about 15 minutes, remove and allow cakes to cool completely on racks.

For the Peanut Butter Frosting:

Ingredients:

1 cup butter

1 cup peanut butter

3 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions:

1. Combine butter and peanut butter, using an electric mixer to beat until creamy and well combined.
2. With mixer at low speed, add powdered sugar until combined. Stir in vanilla extract.
3. With mixer at low speed, add heavy cream, increasing speed to high. Beat until fluffy.
4. Spread between layers of cake and on sides.

For the Chocolate Ganache:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate

Directions:

1. Chop bittersweet chocolate into fine pieces.
2. Bring cream and corn syrup to simmer in small saucepan over medium heat.
3. Remove from heat and add chocolate. Whisk gently until smooth, about 30 seconds.
4. Let stand, whisking occasionally until thickened slightly, about 5 minutes.

For the decoration:

• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

To assemble:

1. Frost cake with peanut butter frosting.
2. Pour glaze onto center of cake. Use spatula to spread to edge of cake, letting excess drip down sides.
3. Garnish with peanut butter cups. Keep cake refrigerated until ready to serve.

My note: Let the cake sit at room temperature at least 30 minutes before serving to best enjoy.