Chocolate Cake Bars with Peanut Butter Frosting

Ingredients 

• 1 ½ cups all purpose flour

• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp kosher salt 

• 2 eggs 

• ½ cup plus 2 tbsp vegetable oil 

• ⅔ cup buttermilk 

• 1 tsp instant coffee

•  1 ¼ cups granulated sugar 

• 1 tsp vanilla extract 

Peanut butter frosting

• 1 stick (8 oz unsalted butter, room temperature)

• 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar 

• ¼ cup peanut butter

• ½ tsp vanilla extract 

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray. 

2. In a medium size mixing bowl or on a large piece of parchment paper. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside. 

3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, vanilla extract, sugar and instant coffee. Once combined, slowly whisk the flour ingredients. 

4. Pour the batter into the baking dish and bake for 23-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. 

5. Meanwhile, beat the butter and cream cheese until creamed together. Mix in the peanut butter and vanilla extract. Slowly mix in the powdered sugar. Once combined, frost the cooled cake and cut into squares. Enjoy!