PEANUT CARAMEL CAKE

Peanut Caramel Cake image

Provided by Food Network

Categories dessert

Time 4h20m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

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2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup milk
3 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup peanut butter
10 caramel squares (recommended: Kraft brand)
1 1/2 tablespoons whipping cream
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
1 can caramel icing
Chocolate Ganache, recipe follows
Peanuts, to garnish
1 package almond bark or chocolate
1/2 pint whipping cream
1 tablespoon white corn syrup (recommended: Karo brand)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease and flour 2 (8-inch) round cake pans. Sift together dry ingredients including flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the shortening, milk, eggs, and vanilla. Beat mixture until smooth then add the peanut butter. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the caramel squares with whipping cream for about 1 minute. Add the caramel mixture to the batter and mix well. Pour the batter evenly into the pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto on a wire rack until completely cool.
Sprinkle chopped peanuts in between the layers and place on a freezer safe plate. Ice cake with caramel icing. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Place the cake back onto the wire rack with a cookie sheet underneath to catch the ganache. Pour the ganache over cake the cake, coating completely and allow to dry before placing on a serving plate. Garnish as desired while ganache is still wet.
Melt almond bark or chocolate in a double boiler. Heat whipping cream in microwave for 45 seconds. Pour whipping cream and corn syrup into melted almond bark or chocolate until completely mixed.