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    Home » cakes

    Published: Jun 21, 2018 • Modified: Jul 12, 2022 • This site generates income via ads and may contain affiliate links. See my privacy policy linked in the footer.

    Irresistible Peanut Butter Tandy Kakes

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Irresistible Peanut Butter Tandy Kakes combines a moist vanilla sponge cake, a creamy peanut butter layer, and a rich, semi-sweet melted chocolate that's spread evenly over the top. It's a childhood, classic favorite recipe that's easy to make, and—whether you call them tandy kakes, kandy kakes, or tandy cakes—they are simply out of this world!

    Closeup image of stacked homemade peanut butter kandy kakes on baking sheet | All Images © Beyond the Butter™
    Angled view of pre-cut peanut butter tandy kakes | All Images © Beyond the Butter™
    Angled image of cut irresistible peanut butter tandy kakes with one angled out from the rest | All Images © Beyond the Butter™

    Table of Contents

    • Behind the Recipe
    • Is it Peanut Butter Tandy Kakes or Kandy Kakes?
    • What are Peanut Butter Tandy Kakes?
    • Let's Make Peanut Butter Tandy Kakes!
    • Recommended Baking Tools
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Craving More Chocolate Peanut Butter Desserts? Check These Out!

    Behind the Recipe

    When I was a kid my Dad would bring home boxes of the different Tastykakes® from the local grocery store. The first box I would open (READ: tear into) was their Peanut Butter Tandy Kakes.

    With that memory still fresh in my brain after all these years, I knew I wanted to share a homemade version of this classic with you all which could, dare I say, rival the brand's version.

    If you've never heard of the Tastykakes brand before, they are a Philly-based product retail line of baked goods like donuts, pies, pastries, and snack cakes. And according to their website, their top-selling item in the entire Tastykake line of products is the...wait for it...PEANUT BUTTER KANDY KAKES!

    And I'm totally not at all surprised by that fun fact!

    Closeup overhead image of cut irresistible peanut butter tandy kakes with one showing the side view | All Images © Beyond the Butter™
    Overhead image of pre cut peanut butter tandy kakes | All Images © Beyond the Butter™

    Is it Peanut Butter Tandy Kakes or Kandy Kakes?

    This classic chocolate peanut butter treat goes by a couple of names, actually—Tandy Kakes, Kandy Kakes, and a third one, Tandy Cakes.

    I've always known them as Tandy Kakes which was the original name of the product from the store. That name later became Kandy Kakes to avoid confusion with another similar-sounding company.

    Then there are others that simply call them Tandy Cakes. People interchange the names a lot, but they're all correct and they all taste equally delicious!

    What are Peanut Butter Tandy Kakes?

    Peanut butter tandy kakes combine a moist vanilla sponge cake, with a layer of peanut butter, followed by a layer of melted chocolate that is poured evenly over the top.

    Just writing that sentence makes me drool. Seriously.

    Overhead image of cut peanut butter kandy kakes with bowls of chocolate and peanut butter next to the tray | All Images © Beyond the Butter™
    Image of stacked homemade peanut butter kandy kakes on a white dessert plate | All Images © Beyond the Butter™

    Let's Make Peanut Butter Tandy Kakes!

    Whether it's your first time making peanut butter tandy kakes or you simply need a refresher, here's a general guide on how to make them!

    1. Prep your jelly roll pan. You will need a 15" x 10" x 1" size jelly roll pan and a flour-based baking spray. I highly recommend Baker's Joy. It's just awesome and has never, ever failed me once.
    2. Make the vanilla sponge cake. You'll need all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk for this part. You can use a hand-held mixer, stand mixer, or keep it really simple and just use a large bowl and a whisk. Be careful not to over-mix the cake batter. Bake at 350ºF for 28-30 minutes.
    3. Add the peanut butter layer. My preference is to use creamy, no-stir peanut butter for this peanut butter tandy kakes recipe. The vanilla sponge cake needs to be almost cooled before you add the peanut butter. If it's just a smidge warm—that's okay.
    4. Add the melted chocolate layer. You can microwave the semi-sweet chocolate chips and coconut oil together in the microwave, then apply the mixture to the top of the peanut butter immediately. Use an offset spatula for spreading the melted chocolate mixture.
    5. Let it cool, then cut and enjoy. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour before cutting the peanut butter tandy kakes into squares. These are best kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

    Recommended Baking Tools

    Premium Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls (Set of 6) Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set
    KITCHENAID KP26M1XFL Professional 600 Stand Mixers, 6 quart, Matte Fresh Linen
    KitchenAid KHM926CA 9-Speed Digital Hand Mixer with Turbo Beater II Accessories and Pro Whisk
    WÜSTHOF 4582-7/20 Classic 8 Inch Chef’s Knife
    Ateco 1385 Offset Spatula
    OXO Good Grips 11 Pound Stainless Steel Food Scale with Pull-Out Display
    Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups (1 cup & 2 cup)
    Nordic Ware 43174 3 Piece Baker's Delight Set, Aluminum
    GIR Ultimate Whisk 2-Piece Set
    Wilton Icing Spatula Set for Baking, 3-Piece - 13 and 9-Inch Angled and 11-Inch Straight Spatulas
    GIR: Get It Right All Silicone Mini, Skinny & Ultimate Spatula 3 Pc Set
    Anchor Hocking 10pc Glass Mixing Bowl Set
    Cuisinart MCP111-20N MultiClad Pro Stainless Universal Double Boiler with Cover
    Cooling Rack Stainless Steel Half size - Commercial Grade Steel 11.5" x 16.5" | 1 Piece | Cooking Rack Designed To Fit Perfectly Into Baking Half Sheet Pan | Only From Indigo True Company
    Fox Run 4254 Kitchen Timer with Magnet 55-Minute
    Baker's Joy Cake Pan Spray
    Angled view of blue spatula spreading chocolate over the top of peanut butter tandy kakes | All Images © Beyond the Butter™

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I use natural peanut butter?

    If you only have the natural peanut butter where the oil separates, make sure to stir it up really well before spreading it over top of the sponge cake.

    When can I add the peanut butter layer?

    The vanilla sponge cake needs to be almost cooled before you add the peanut butter. If it's just a smidge warm—that's okay.

    What size baking pan do I use?

    For the best results, use a 15" x 10" x 1" jelly roll pan.

    Craving More Chocolate Peanut Butter Desserts? Check These Out!

    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Tart
    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Whoopie Pies
    • Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies
    • Small Chocolate Peanut Butter Tandy Kake
    Image of stacked homemade peanut butter kandy kakes on a white dessert plate | All Images © Beyond the Butter™

    Irresistible Peanut Butter Tandy Kakes

    Author: Jennifer
    Irresistible Peanut Butter Tandy Kakes combine a moist vanilla sponge cake, a creamy peanut butter layer, and a rich, semi-sweet melted chocolate that's spread all over the top. It's a childhood, classic favorite recipe that's easy to make and—whether you call them tandy kakes, kandy kakes, or tandy cakes—they are simply out of this world!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Chill Time 1 hour
    Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
    Course Bars and Brownies
    Cuisine Dessert
    Servings 24 servings

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • 2 cups Granulated Sugar
    • 2 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
    • 4 Large Eggs (room temperature)
    • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • 1 cup Milk
    • 1 ½ cups Creamy Peanut Butter (no-stir recommended)
    • 12 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
    • 1 tablespoon Coconut Oil (optional add on with the chocolate chips)

    Instructions

    • Adjust the oven rack to the 2nd level mark (just above center) and preheat your oven to 350ºF.
    • Coat a 15" x 10" x 1" jelly roll pan with a flour-based baking spray. Set to the side.
    • In a medium-size mixing bowl whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set to the side.
      2 cups All-Purpose Flour, 1 teaspoon Baking Powder, ½ teaspoon Salt
    • Using your hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment mix together the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract on medium-high speed until fully combined.
      2 cups Granulated Sugar, 2 tablespoon Vegetable Oil, 4 Large Eggs, 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
    • Switching the mixing speed to low, alternate between adding the milk with the whisked dry mixture until just combined. Do not over mix.
      1 cup Milk
    • Pour the batter into the prepared jelly roll pan, giving it a few light taps to get out any air bubbles before placing it in the oven.
    • Bake for 28-30 minutes at 350ºF.
    • Remove from the oven and place on a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
    • Using a spatula or offset spatula, spread the peanut butter evenly over the top of the cake.
      1 ½ cups Creamy Peanut Butter
    • In a medium-sized bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips and coconut oil (optional) in the microwave in 45 - 60 second increments, stirring each time, until completely melted and smooth.
      12 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, 1 tablespoon Coconut Oil
    • Pour the melted chocolate over the top of the peanut butter, then spread evenly over the top using a spatula or offset spatula.
    • Refrigerate for 30 minutes - 1 hour before cutting into squares. These are best kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

    Video

    Recipe Notes

    Peanut butter tandy kakes will last up to 4-5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
    Recipe adapted from the 2001, A Taste of Bedminster Elementary cookbook.
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Mention @beyond.the.butter and tag #beyondthebutter!
    Angled image of irresistible peanut butter tandy kakes on a white background | All Images © Beyond the Butter™

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    © All images & content on BeyondtheButter.com are copyright protected. You may not republish, redistribute, or otherwise use any images, recipes, or content, in part or in whole, without express written permission from the author. Beyond the Butter® is a registered trademark of Jennifer Switzer. All rights reserved. For more information, please read my Policies page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Natalie says

      June 27, 2018 at 4:18 am

      WOW these cakes look amazing and perfect for weekend brunch!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        June 27, 2018 at 1:50 pm

        Thank you, Natalie! Love the idea for these as a weekend brunch!

        Reply
    2. Johanna says

      August 20, 2018 at 1:41 pm

      5 stars
      I made these last weekend for gathering of friends and they were a HUGE hit! My husband is also obsessed with them so I will definitely be making them again 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        August 20, 2018 at 6:28 pm

        Yay! You're very welcome! So glad they were a huge hit, Johanna! My husband is obsessed with them too!????

        Reply
    3. Jill says

      August 24, 2018 at 3:14 pm

      5 stars
      I made these Peanut Butter Tandy Cakes and they were so easy and delicious. They were all gone the day I served them!! I was requested to make them again and I will????

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        August 26, 2018 at 6:08 pm

        This makes my heart happy to hear this! I'm so glad you loved them, Jill!❤️

        Reply
    4. Pam says

      July 08, 2019 at 5:23 am

      I'm going to make this cake as it looks and sounds delicious but was wondering why there is no vanilla in the cake? Does it take away from the peanut and chocolate flavors?

      Thank you
      Pam

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 08, 2019 at 6:59 am

        Thanks Pam, I love to hear that! And thanks for your question too! I've honestly never made it with the vanilla because of having the chocolate and peanut butter layers, but that's just me! I can understand the recipe looking weird without it though, so I did go and add 1 tsp. of it into the recipe!❤️

        Reply
    5. Jill says

      January 09, 2021 at 7:56 pm

      I love making these! They always turn out amazing!! How do you cut them without the chocolate cracking?

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        January 10, 2021 at 1:52 pm

        I'm so glad to hear that! I let them sit out at room temperature for about 20-25 minutes before cutting them.

        Reply
    6. Birdie says

      June 28, 2021 at 2:55 pm

      I put the peanut butter on right after the cake comes out if the oven, spreads so much easier..chill it, melt hershey bars and pour on top…easy..and delish.

      Reply
      • [email protected] says

        January 03, 2022 at 4:45 am

        5 stars
        I agree, Birdie!

        Reply
    7. Jeannine says

      July 03, 2022 at 4:43 pm

      Do you think this would work if I substitute 12 oz of Almond bark in place of chocolate chips?

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        July 04, 2022 at 9:34 am

        I never used it with this recipe, but I don't see why you couldn't try it in place of the chocolate chips!

        Reply

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