Ultimate Peanut Butter Cake
There’s something I want you to know about me. I’ve wrestled for quite awhile about how to say this, but I’ve never wrestled with whether or not it needs to be said. If you don’t know this, you don’t know me. And if this space isn’t a space to share myself and learn about you, it’s nothing to me.
If you’ve been around for my stories over the years (thank you, thank you, thank you), you know by now that I’m a teacher, a Christian, a turtle and dog owner, an antiracist feminist. What you might not know (unless you saw my announcement yesterday on Instagram) is that I’m bisexual.
I’m married to a man. You may wonder why it matters to me that anyone knows. But if you taught kids? You’d know why it mattered for them to know people with their identity exist in their every day lives. If you were in churches? You’d know why it mattered for queer people to share that, no really, they have a relationship with Christ. The world is very, very heterosexual, and for some this means they feel silenced and alienated. For others it can mean they are literally in physical danger.
Since being more open about my journey as a Christian who is affirming of LGBTQ people and since carefully becoming more open about who I am, numerous friends and even strangers have connected with me for support. I won’t stay silent when we need each other.
Kids are out there being gay in a world with almost no queer representation in books or movies, much less in their every day lives. They have no model for how to be who they are, and growing up is scary enough when you’re trying to grow into dominant identities. When one of your identities might result in you being ostracized by friends and family, the stakes become higher than any kid should have to deal with on their own.
Christians are out there being gay in a world that tells them they don’t exist or are dishonoring the God who made them who they are, who has known and loved them since before the foundation of the world, and who has given everything to allow them to live in freedom and love. They’re trying to reconcile their identity and faith in a society where homophobia has been weaponized by individuals seeking to manipulate the voting bloc that is the evangelical church into giving them political power and profit. They’re literally being abandoned by friends and family because of one sentence Paul said in an entire letter designed to encourage unity between Jews and Gentiles.
For these reasons, speaking up as a queer Christian and owning this part of my identity means a lot to me. So now you know! Happy Pride Month!
One year ago: Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Tart
Two years ago: Ultimate Tres Leches Cookies and Cream Cake
Three years ago: Strawberry Sour Cream Kuchen
Four years ago: Fresh Summer Pasta with Plugra Ricotta Sauce
Five years ago: Gooey Chocolate Coconut Cream Skillet Cake
Six years ago: Sweet Orange Florentines
Seven years ago: Caramel Cream Croquembouche
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons cake flour
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 6 tablespoons cup milk
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons milk, or as needed
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- chopped peanuts or gold sprinkles for topping, optional
- Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease an 8-inch square baking pan (I use Wilton's Cake Release to grease my whole pan and then place a sheet of greased parchment in the bottom of the pan). In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the butter and water to a boil. In the meantime, in a separate large bowl, whisk together the cake flour and sugar before adding the egg, sour cream, almond extract, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt. Mix to combine. While mixing, slowly pour in the boiling butter and water mixture. Mix to combine completely. Your batter will be very runny. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 17-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in several places comes out with a few moist crumbs. Poke holes in the cake with the handle of a wooden spoon.
- Make the peanut butter sauce: Heat the peanut butter in a medium bowl for about 30 seconds. Whisk in powdered sugar and enough milk to reach pouring consistency (I had to use the full amount. It should be sauce-like, so don't be shy about adding more liquid). Pour over the cake and cool completely (I stuck mine in the fridge and it was cool in about an hour).
- Make the peanut butter icing: Beat the butter and peanut butter together in a medium bowl until combined. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until all of the sugar is mixed in and the frosting is thick but still spreadable (I needed the full amount). Beat for a few minutes until it’s super fluffy. Spread it on completely cooled cake -- it's not the smoothest or prettiest, but it is the most delicious! Top with chopped peanuts or gold edible sprinkles!
Anton
June 23, 2018 at 11:03 pm (6 years ago)Julie! I am so happy, as just a random internet person who reads this blog, to know we have something else in common. Your comments about how people need representation in the world resonated with me so much. As someone who grew up in the 80s and 90s, I spent so much of my time convinced my queerness was a death sentence. There were no people like me living happy lives, or living past 40, or sometimes even living at all. But here we are. I am glad you can live your truth and do your thing. <3
Julie Ruble
June 24, 2018 at 12:57 am (6 years ago)Aw, Anton, this makes me so happy as well! Happy pride to you <3 I'm glad we share this.
Elaine Cobb
June 24, 2018 at 12:10 am (6 years ago)That must have been weighing on you so I am happy you got it off of your chest. It doesn’t matter to me one bit. You are a sweet, religious, animal loving and kind person. That’s all that matters to me. You can bake great too! ????????
Julie Ruble
June 24, 2018 at 1:53 am (6 years ago)Thank you for your support, Elaine!
Natalie
June 24, 2018 at 1:35 am (6 years ago)Oh my gosh this cake is making me DROOL! Looks so luscious and perfect!
Julie Ruble
July 1, 2018 at 12:48 am (6 years ago)Thanks Natalie!
Pituna
June 24, 2018 at 4:50 am (6 years ago)The fool has said in his heart there is no God. Jesus said some will say Lord, Lord and He will say “depart from me , I never knew you”. Your conscience has been seard with a hot iron.
Julie Ruble
June 24, 2018 at 9:15 am (6 years ago)This is such a lazy misuse of scripture. Who said there is no God? You’re just stringing verses together here that aren’t relevant to the situation.
Jen
June 24, 2018 at 10:46 am (6 years ago)What does this even mean……
Amanda
June 25, 2018 at 11:18 pm (6 years ago)Ugh. Please show some consideration. Someone bares her soul to the rest of us ever so bravely and you come up with “your conscience has been seared?” Pituna, this is not the forum for you.
Jamie
July 1, 2018 at 12:40 am (6 years ago)No no this was a recipe for cake. Seared Conscience is more of an entree.
Michelle mayo
June 24, 2018 at 7:02 am (6 years ago)Thank you so much for your honesty and your recipe can’t wait to try it
Julie Ruble
July 1, 2018 at 12:44 am (6 years ago)Thank you, Michelle!
Rebecca
June 24, 2018 at 11:19 am (6 years ago)Bless you for “speaking truth to powe” and being true to yourself in a way that blesses others.
You are exemplifying God’s love.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8 | NIV
Julie Ruble
July 1, 2018 at 12:48 am (6 years ago)Thank you, Rebecca <3
Jane S.
June 24, 2018 at 12:55 pm (6 years ago)Julie, so happy you shared more of your self with us! I am sure you are a huge inspiration to your students! Having a teacher that you can relate to can be life changing for a young person.
Julie Ruble
July 1, 2018 at 12:48 am (6 years ago)Thank you, Jane!
Alicia Sweatt
June 24, 2018 at 4:49 pm (6 years ago)Thank you for the delicious recipe and for sharing something so personal. In our society and times, children, teens and adults need all the love and support they can get. Gay, straight, bi, transgender, Christian and not. I am not a Christian but I am a lesbian and this post brightened my day. Thanks for all the lovely posts and sharing your life.
Julie Ruble
July 1, 2018 at 12:47 am (6 years ago)Thank you so much, Alicia!
Kim
June 24, 2018 at 9:56 pm (6 years ago)Julie, thank you for being yourself, as God made you, and sharing your realities with us. I pray daily for hearts to open.
Julie Ruble
July 1, 2018 at 12:47 am (6 years ago)Thank you so much, Kim!
Amanda
June 25, 2018 at 11:24 pm (6 years ago)Julie, THANK YOU for not hiding who you are. I was lucky to come across your website today and I thought, “Wow, there is a person who has finally tapped into who she really is. I wish I could come to know myself so well someday.” There are many lost souls in this world and your genuineness, open-heartedness, and beauty that radiates from the inside out, is remarkable, honorable, and could not be more needed in our current society. I live in shame and hiding for different reasons, but you inspire me. Thank you for being the change I want to see in this world. Let there be a million more people like you in this world, who are open and accepting to everyone. And thank you for all things peanut butter.
Julie Ruble
July 1, 2018 at 12:47 am (6 years ago)Amanda, this was so sweet and made my day. Thank you!! That means a lot to me, and I hope if I can support you while we’re both working on hiding less you’ll let me know <3
Gina F.
June 27, 2018 at 10:41 pm (6 years ago)Your honesty and forthrightness is refreshing. Thank you for sharing.
Julie Ruble
July 1, 2018 at 12:45 am (6 years ago)Thank you, Gina!
Joanna
June 30, 2018 at 6:17 pm (6 years ago)I was surprised to see almond extract in your cake batter! I’m sure it’s fabulous – can’t wait to try this recipe, too 🙂
Julie Ruble
June 30, 2018 at 7:18 pm (6 years ago)Oh yes!! I love adding almond extract to this cake batter. To me, it doesn’t make it a pronounced almond flavor but does give it kind of a bakery finish. Hope you love it!
Chris
June 30, 2018 at 6:42 pm (6 years ago)I just got here, can I focus on baking instead?
Julie Ruble
June 30, 2018 at 7:08 pm (6 years ago)You can focus on whatever you want. If what I focus on bothers you — which is what you’re actually saying — you can also feel free to head to another blog.
Also, do you realize you literally just said the equivalent of, “Get in the kitchen and make me a sandwich” to a woman you don’t even know? Ha bye Chris.
Amanda
July 2, 2018 at 11:27 pm (6 years ago)Oooh, Snap! Mic Drop right there 🙂
Becky B
July 2, 2018 at 5:54 pm (6 years ago)Saw this clickbait over on Instagram, wandered over to see the big reveal….LOVE it! It resonated a lot with me, as a fellow bisexual Christian(ish – but that’s a whole different story). I went to Catholic school and fell in love with a female classmate; we were not very good at hiding it, so everyone around us tried to stamp it out. Having someone like you to look up to during that period would have made all the difference in the world. Your students are so lucky to have you!
ALSO – that peanut butter cake is calling my name 🙂 Can’t wait to try it!
Julie Ruble
July 2, 2018 at 7:18 pm (6 years ago)Thank you so much for your kind words, Becky! I wish people had been more supportive of you in school — you deserved to feel normal and valid! It’s so encouraging to hear that you feel like having a role model would’ve helped you — I hope my students always feel safe being their authentic selves.
Will
July 5, 2018 at 6:17 am (6 years ago)I originally came here for the baking. I was impressed, and made more hopeful for the world, by the way you talked about your sister’s experience. I am strengthened by your honesty. And I am educated by the kindness and wisdom you employ dealing with dissenting views and trolls. As a 50 something gay man,out and comfortable with himself (but perhaps not as comfortable as I thought), you’ve shown me I still have things to learn about myself and how to deal with the world. Keep up the good work….oh yeah, and the good baking too. You go girl, good on you!
Mara
July 6, 2018 at 9:33 pm (6 years ago)You are amazing. Really and truly. So much love to you my friend!!
Daneille
July 17, 2018 at 1:35 pm (6 years ago)I’m so glad you got to the place where you could share that. Thanks for all your really wonderful open conversations and great recipes over the years. Sending love.
vex 3
July 24, 2018 at 11:53 pm (6 years ago)wow, the cake looks delicious and very attractive, thank you for sharing
Lynne
August 4, 2018 at 11:03 pm (6 years ago)I very much respect your ability to mix important thoughts and issues among your delicious recipes. Even more so now. I came over today to see what you were up to as I struggle with how to intermingle my interest in politics, race, food and writing. Though I come from atheist/cis-gendered old lady perspective, I admire your convictions and values. I’m grateful and inspired by how much of yourself you share with us. I hope I can achieve even a small semblance of what you do here. UGH!Now back to redesigning my website…good thing I have someone to look up to I was feeling a bit discouraged. Your post completely reenergized me. Thank You!