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Peppermint Mocha Layer Cake

Peppermint Mocha Layer Cake is a festive delight that combines rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint flavors. This impressive dessert features layers of moist chocolate cake, creamy peppermint frosting, and optional crushed candy canes for a delightful crunch. Perfect for celebrations or cozy gatherings, this cake not only tastes divine but also looks stunning on any dessert table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
  • 1 tsp peppermint extract
  • 1 cup heavy cream (for frosting)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • Optional: crushed candy canes for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round baking pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, mix melted butter, eggs, milk, and peppermint extract until blended. Gradually combine with dry ingredients until just mixed.
  4. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans briefly before transferring to wire racks.
  5. For the frosting, whip heavy cream in a mixing bowl until soft peaks form. Gradually add powdered sugar and peppermint extract until stiff peaks form.
  6. Once the cake layers are cool, stack with frosting in between each layer and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting. Top with crushed candy canes if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: - Use high-quality cocoa powder for richer flavor. - Ensure cakes cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. - Feel free to substitute peppermint extract with mint oil or fresh mint for variation.