Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It delivers everything people love about a Snickers bar—chocolate, peanuts, caramel, and nougat-like cream—in a stunning cake format that is surprisingly approachable and endlessly crowd-pleasing.
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Chocolate Snickers Cake: A Rich, Nutty, Caramel-Loaded Dessert Masterpiece
- Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
- Yield: 12 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich and indulgent chocolate cake layered with peanut-caramel filling, nougat-inspired cream, and topped with silky chocolate ganache—tasting just like a giant Snickers bar.
Ingredients
- Chocolate Cake:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup hot coffee
- Nougat Cream Filling:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup marshmallow fluff
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- Peanut Caramel Layer:
- 1 cup caramel sauce
- 1 cup salted peanuts
- Chocolate Ganache:
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
- Whisk flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Stir in hot coffee until batter is thin and fully combined.
- Pour into pans and bake 28–32 minutes. Cool completely.
- For nougat cream, whip heavy cream to soft peaks, then fold in marshmallow fluff, peanut butter, and powdered sugar.
- For caramel layer, warm caramel sauce slightly and mix with salted peanuts.
- Make ganache by heating heavy cream and pouring over chocolate chips. Stir until smooth.
- Assemble: Place first cake layer, spread nougat cream, then spoon peanut caramel. Add second cake layer.
- Pour ganache over the top, letting it drip down the sides.
- Chill 20–30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Use dark chocolate for a richer ganache.
- Add chopped Snickers bars between layers for extra decadence.
- Cake tastes even better the next day.
- Warm slices slightly before serving for gooier caramel.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 32 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
All-purpose flour
Provides structure for the cake layers while maintaining a tender crumb.
Cocoa powder
Creates a deep chocolate flavor that pairs perfectly with caramel and peanuts.
Granulated sugar
Sweetens the batter while helping keep the cake moist.
Brown sugar
Adds moisture and a subtle caramel undertone that enhances the Snickers-inspired flavors.
Baking powder and baking soda
Work together to create lift, resulting in soft, even layers.
Salt
Balances sweetness and sharpens the chocolate flavor.
Eggs
Bind the batter and contribute richness.
Milk or buttermilk
Adds moisture and acidity, keeping the cake tender and enhancing cocoa flavor.
Vegetable oil
Provides consistent moisture and keeps the cake soft even after refrigeration.
Vanilla extract
Enhances depth and rounds out the chocolate notes.
Caramel sauce
Adds gooey sweetness and forms a key component of the signature Snickers effect.
Creamy peanut butter
Used in the filling for a velvety, nutty center reminiscent of nougat with a peanut twist.
Powdered sugar
Sweetens and stabilizes the peanut butter filling.
Heavy cream
Creates a smooth frosting and balances the richness of other components.
Chopped peanuts
Add crunch and texture, bringing the Snickers candy bar experience to the cake.
Directions
Begin by preheating the oven and lining two or three cake pans with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients—flour, cocoa powder, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix the eggs, milk or buttermilk, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring until the batter is just incorporated. Add a splash of warm water or coffee to intensify the chocolate flavor, then pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake until the layers spring back to the touch, then cool completely.
For the filling, beat peanut butter with powdered sugar and a splash of cream until fluffy and spreadable. For assembly, place the first cake layer on a board and spread with a generous portion of peanut butter filling. Drizzle lightly with caramel and sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Repeat with remaining layers. Frost the entire cake with chocolate or caramel-infused buttercream, smoothing the sides. Finish with a drizzle of caramel on top and additional peanuts. Chill briefly to set the structure before slicing.
Essential Equipment
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
Servings and timing
Serves 12–14
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 25–30 minutes
Cooling and assembly time: 1 hour
Total time: about 2 hours
Storage/reheating
Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to four days. Allow slices to rest at room temperature for 20–30 minutes before serving for the best texture. The cake may also be frozen for up to two months. Wrap slices tightly and thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Variations and Customizations
Double-Caramel Snickers Cake
Add a layer of caramel buttercream or swirl caramel directly into the frosting for increased richness.
Nougat-Inspired Filling
Blend marshmallow crème with peanut butter for a filling that mimics classic Snickers nougat.
Chocolate Ganache Drip
Pour a glossy chocolate ganache over the top for an elegant finish.
Salted Caramel Version
Add flaky sea salt on top to balance sweetness and deepen flavor.
Peanut Butter Cup Fusion
Swap some caramel for melted peanut butter cups for a hybrid candy-bar flavor.
Crunch Layer Addition
Add crushed pretzels or toffee bits between layers for extra texture.
Gluten-Free Cake Layers
Use a high-quality gluten-free flour blend designed for cakes.
Espresso-Infused Chocolate
Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to enhance the chocolate elements.
Mini Snickers Garnish
Decorate the top with chopped Snickers bars for a dramatic presentation.
Reduced-Sweetness Option
Use dark chocolate frosting and lightly salted peanuts to tone down overall sweetness.
FAQs
Can I make the cake layers ahead of time?
Yes, they can be baked a day before and stored wrapped in the refrigerator.
Do I need to level the cake layers?
Leveling helps create a stable, professional-looking finished cake.
Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
Yes, high-quality store-bought caramel works well.
Can I freeze the assembled cake?
Yes, freeze tightly wrapped and thaw slowly in the refrigerator.
Which frosting pairs best with this cake?
Chocolate buttercream, caramel buttercream, or peanut butter frosting all complement it perfectly.
How do I prevent the cake from drying out?
Do not overbake, and store the cake covered to retain moisture.
Can I make cupcakes instead?
Yes, simply reduce baking time to about 18–20 minutes.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter in the filling?
Yes, it adds extra texture.
Why does my frosting seem too soft?
Chill it briefly or add more powdered sugar to firm it up.
How do I get clean cake slices?
Use a warm serrated knife and wipe between cuts.
Conclusion
A Chocolate Snickers Cake is the ultimate celebration dessert, combining rich chocolate, silky peanut butter, sweet caramel, and crunchy peanuts in layers that taste both nostalgic and elevated. Its versatility, indulgent flavor profile, and impressive presentation make it a guaranteed showstopper. Whether served at a special event or enjoyed simply because you crave something luxurious, this cake offers a memorable balance of textures and flavors that never disappoints.
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