The Peppermint Chocolate Cake

So I did it again. Another chocolate cake ! This time it is a whole new spin with a hint of peppermint. I had to take a drive to a few shops selling baking goods searching for the peppermint extract which at last blessed me with a peppermint paste. The only thing which went wrong was the chocolate ganache which ended up pretty thick and a little too much messing with the final look of the cake. Well things happen, right?

So the recipe is as follows;

The peppermint chocolate cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup  sugar

• ¾ cup cocoa powder

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1½ teaspoons baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder

• 3/4 cup evaporated milk

• ½ cup Butter (softened)

• 2 eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup chopped almond

• 1 teaspoon peppermint paste

• 1 cup boiling water
  

• Pre-heat oven at 160 C. Grease and line 2 8 inch baking pans.

• Sift all the dry ingredient in a large bowl

• Cream butter and sugar with a mixer 

• Add eggs (one after another), vanilla extract and peppermint paste and beat till well-combined

• Using a spatula fold in the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk for 3 batches.

• Turn your mixer at high speed and slowly pour the boiling water and mix for about 30 secs

• Pour the batter into the pans equally and bake for 30-40 minutes

The Peppermint Buttercream frosting

• 1 cup butter ( softened)

• 2-3 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted

• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint paste

• a drop of green colouring ( if desired)

• 2 tablespoons evaporated milk

• Cream butter till pale

• Add the sugar 1/2 cup for each addition and beat at high speed while alternating with a little milk

• Add some colour if you feel the paste is not green enough

Chocolate ganache ( linked)

Frost your cake and let it chill before pouring the ganache! Don't be too generous :p
You may decorate your cake with chopped nuts like I did or chocolate rice would be a great combination too with the peppermint flavour of the cake. Be creative!

Renuka G