Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte

 My mom watched the Ultimate Recipe Showdown probably about six months ago and saw this recipe on the show. It didn't win (They didn't like the glaze on top but to me that was the best part!) but she asked if I could make it for her birthday.  Man, was I glad that she did!! It was so good!  It was really rich so you didn't need to eat much.  It kind of tastes like a brownie with peanut butter cups in it but more peanut buttery. It was pretty easy to make so I added the recipe if you want to try it.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte

Ingredients:
    * 1 cup butter, melted, plus more for pan
    * 1 cup unsweetened cocoa
    * 2 cups sugar
    * 4 eggs
    * 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
    * 1 cup all-purpose flour
    * 1/2 teaspoon salt
    * 1 cup chopped peanut butter cups, about 8 pieces (recommended: Reese's)
    * 1/4 cup peanut butter, plus 2 tablespoons, heated in microwave at 10 second intervals for easy spreading
    * 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
    * 2 tablespoons warm water, plus more as needed
    * 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter 2 (8-inch) circular pans and line with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl combine the 1 cup melted butter and cocoa and stir until the cocoa is dissolved.

Add the sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, and mix well. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and mix until incorporated. Stir in the vanilla, flour and salt and combine until the flour is no longer visible. Fold in the chopped peanut butter cups and divide the mixture between the pans. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, then remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

Run a knife around the edge of each pan and turn out onto a work surface.

Put 1 cake layer on a cake plate or a round platter. Spread the 1/4 cup of peanut butter over the first layer and top with the second layer. In a bowl, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, the confectioners' sugar and water until a glaze forms. Add more water, if needed, to achieve desired glaze consistency. Pour the glaze on top of the torte, spreading it out with a small knife allowing it to drip over the sides. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler and drizzle over the glaze. Cut into slices and serve.

Natalie sure liked it! :)