Peppermint Fudge Cake: A Holiday Dessert Dream!
Indulge in the ultimate Peppermint Fudge Cake, where rich chocolate meets refreshing peppermint for a delightful holiday treat. This cake is not just a dessert; it’s an experience that will impress everyone at your gathering.
- Author: Crumella
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 32 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (or vegetable/canola oil)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon non-alcoholic vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pure peppermint extract (plus more to taste)
- 8 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
- Crushed candy canes for decoration
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper circles and then grease the paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the whole milk, melted unsalted butter (or oil), large eggs, and non-alcoholic vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold in the peppermint extract.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10-15 minutes, then carefully invert them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped chocolate, heavy cream, unsalted butter, and confectioners' sugar. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in the remaining peppermint extract and non-alcoholic vanilla extract. Let the frosting cool slightly until it thickens to a spreadable consistency.
- Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on your serving plate. Spread a generous amount of fudge frosting over the top, then place the second cake layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining fudge frosting.
- Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the top of the cake, pressing some gently into the sides if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: To achieve ultimate moistness, avoid overbaking the cake. Ensure all wet ingredients are at room temperature for better incorporation. For a smoother frosting, sift the confectioners' sugar and stir continuously while melting the chocolate.