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1
Preheat oven to 350u00b0F Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans.
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2
In a large bowl,beat butter and sugar with electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
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3
In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt; sift 2 times.
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4
Add sifted flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in vanilla.
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5
Pour batter into prepared cake pans. Bake 33 to 38 minute.
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6
Cool cake in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire rack.
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7
For chocolate ganache:
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8
Combine morsels and cream in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds; stir. Continue microwaving in 30 second intervals until mixture is smooth when stirred. Let cool 10 minutes.
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9
For peanut butter mousse:
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10
Combine morsels and 1/4 cup cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds; stir. Continue microwaving in 30 second intervals until mixture is smooth when stirred. Stir in peanut butter; let cool.
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11
In a small bowl, beat remaining whipping cream with an electric mixer until thickened.
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12
Add confectioners sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into cooled peanut butter mixture.
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13
For rich chocolate frosting:
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14
In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in cocoa and confections sugar until smooth.
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15
Add milk, 1 tbsp at a time, beating after each addition, until desired consistency is reached.
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16
For peanut butter ganache:
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17
Combine morsels and cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds; stir. Continue microwaving at 30 second intervals until mixture is smooth when stirred. Let cool slightly.
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18
Spread chocolate ganache evenly over each cake layer. Place 1 cake layer on a serving platter.
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19
Spread half of smooth peanut butter mousse on top of chocolate ganache, to within 1/2 inch of edges of cake. Top with another cake layer.
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20
Spread remaining smooth peanut butter mousse on top of ganache to within 1/2-inch of edges of cake.
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21
Top with final cake layer. Spread rich chocolate frosting over top and sides of cake. Drizzle with peanut butter ganache and garnish with peanuts, if desired.
