Peanut Butter Swirl Pound Cake

If you love rich, buttery pound cake and the creamy, nutty flavor of peanut butter, this Peanut Butter Swirl Pound Cake is about to become your new favorite bake. It’s dense yet tender, perfectly moist, and swirled with ribbons of sweet peanut butter that melt right into the crumb.

This cake feels classic and nostalgic—but with a twist. It’s elegant enough for gatherings, simple enough for weekend baking, and absolutely perfect with coffee or a tall glass of milk. The swirl creates a beautiful marbled effect, so every slice looks as good as it tastes.

Let’s bake.

Why You’ll Love This Cake

• Rich, buttery pound cake base
• Beautiful peanut butter swirl
• Dense but soft texture
• Perfect for slicing and serving
• Stays moist for days
• Freezes beautifully

It’s one of those cakes that feels comforting and indulgent without being overly sweet.

Ingredients

This recipe makes one 9×5-inch loaf or a 10-inch bundt pan.

For the Pound Cake Batter:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup whole milk

For the Peanut Butter Swirl:

• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).

Grease and flour your loaf or bundt pan thoroughly. Pound cakes are rich and can stick easily, so don’t skip this step.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together for 3–5 minutes until light and fluffy.

This step is crucial—it creates air in the batter and gives the cake its tender crumb. Don’t rush it.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Mix in vanilla extract.

The batter should look smooth and creamy at this stage.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Start and end with flour.

Mix just until combined—do not overmix.

The batter will be thick, smooth, and luxurious.

Step 5: Make the Peanut Butter Swirl

In a small bowl, stir together peanut butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and slightly loosened.

It should be thick but spoonable. If too stiff, add a tiny splash of milk.

Step 6: Layer and Swirl

Pour half of the pound cake batter into the prepared pan.

Drop spoonfuls of half the peanut butter mixture over the batter.

Add the remaining cake batter on top.

Finish with the rest of the peanut butter mixture in dollops.

Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the peanut butter through the batter in a figure-eight motion.

Don’t over-swirl—you want visible ribbons, not fully blended layers.

Step 7: Bake

Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 60–75 minutes.

If using a bundt pan, it may take closer to 75–80 minutes.

The cake is done when:

• A toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean
• The top is golden
• The center springs back when lightly pressed

If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil during the last 20 minutes.

Step 8: Cool Properly

Let the cake cool in the pan for 15–20 minutes.

Carefully turn it out onto a wire rack and cool completely before glazing or slicing.

Pound cake firms up as it cools, giving you clean slices.

Optional Peanut Butter Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and peanut butter until smooth.

Drizzle over the cooled cake for extra sweetness and a polished look.

You can also sprinkle chopped peanuts on top for crunch.

Texture & Flavor

This cake is:

• Dense but tender
• Rich and buttery
• Lightly sweet
• Swirled with creamy peanut butter goodness

The peanut butter ribbons add a soft, slightly gooey contrast to the firm crumb of the pound cake.

Every slice feels indulgent yet balanced.

Tips for Perfect Pound Cake

• Use room-temperature ingredients for smooth mixing.
• Cream butter and sugar thoroughly—this creates structure.
• Don’t overmix once flour is added.
• Bake low and slow for even texture.
• Let it cool before slicing to prevent crumbling.

Patience makes a big difference with pound cakes.

Variations to Try

1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl

Add ½ cup cocoa powder to the batter (reduce flour slightly) for a chocolate base.

2. Crunchy Peanut Butter

Use crunchy peanut butter for added texture.

3. Peanut Butter Chip Upgrade

Fold ½ cup peanut butter chips into the batter.

4. Salted Peanut Butter

Add a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the glaze.

5. Banana Peanut Butter Pound Cake

Mash one ripe banana into the batter for a subtle banana twist.

Storage Tips

• Room Temperature: Store covered for 3 days.
• Refrigerator: Up to 5 days (bring to room temp before serving).
• Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

Pound cake often tastes even better the next day as flavors settle.

Serving Ideas

• Slice and serve with coffee or tea
• Toast lightly and spread with extra peanut butter
• Serve with vanilla ice cream
• Add fresh berries for balance
• Drizzle with melted chocolate

It’s versatile enough for brunch or dessert.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overmixing flour: Leads to dense, tough cake.
Under-creaming butter and sugar: Results in heavy texture.
Over-swirling: Blends layers too much.
Removing too early from pan: Can cause breakage.

Follow the steps carefully and you’ll have bakery-level results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use natural peanut butter?
Yes, but stir well first. If very oily, reduce added milk slightly.

Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Why did my cake crack on top?
That’s normal for pound cakes—it’s part of their rustic charm.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes, divide between two loaf pans.

Final Thoughts

Peanut Butter Swirl Pound Cake is a comforting classic with a nutty upgrade. It’s rich, buttery, beautifully marbled, and perfect for slicing thick and savoring slowly.

Whether you’re baking for a gathering or just craving something homemade and satisfying, this cake delivers. It’s simple, timeless, and full of peanut butter goodness in every bite.