I just figured something out about myself that I haven't been able to accurately communicate before. Moments like this are exhilarating for me! When I can put into words what I am feeling and therefore better share myself with my people and the world… Love a breakthrough moment. This is a food one:
I am a vanilla mint kind of person!!!
I don't like chocolate peppermint. I have never liked it. Those chocolate mints my Grandpa would hand me from that clear bowl on the hostess stand? Yuck. You were thinking I would be delighted by this candy, Grandpa?! No can do. I will to this day pass on a thin mint 10 times out of 10. I would rather go hungry. But then I ask myself: “Self, what say you about mint chip ice cream then? You love mint chip ice cream.” And it's right then that my mind pulls from the back of its cupboard the taste memory of the McDonald's Shamrock Shake. Stay with me here, because bam! I'm back in those flavors that I looked forward to every March as a kid. That sweet vanilla and peppermint shake, so satisfying on my tongue. It's a flavor profile echoed by one of my top 5 ice cream flavors: mint chip. And now it's clear to me: a little chocolate can elevate the loveliness of VANILLA MINT, but chocolate mint is for the birds.
So, it is with this realization I give to you my way of making a chocolate peppermint cake. And I also give you a chocolate peppermint cake for the die hard thin mint lovers of the world currently reading this and thinking me a monster.
Happy Baking! Thank goodness there’s a tasty cake for all of us and this holiday baby couldn’t be easier to make.
Wild Rye’s Chocolate Peppermint Cake
I have provided options for the amount of peppermint extract depending on your minty preferences. I’m drawn towards a slightly minty frosting and I skip the extract in the cake batter all together, but for those big time peppermint chocolate lovers, I suggest going for the larger measurements; even adding more as desired. Guess you will just have to taste the batter and the frosting as you go! Bummer! LOL
The world is your oyster when it comes to presentation and decorating. This would make a lovely 13x9 sheet cake decorated with crushed peppermint candies. A two-layer frosted cake would be so lovely and it would also bring the drama. Or a simple single layer 9” round with swirls of vanilla mint frosting atop could be just what you’re craving. I cannot wait to see what you create!
You will need:
1 box of Wild Rye Chocolate Cake mix
1 box of Wild Rye Classic Vanilla Frosting mix or Chocolate Sea Salt Frosting mix (you already know I’m reaching for vanilla)
Pure Peppermint extract
Candy canes or peppermint candies, crushed
For the cake:
When measuring your wet ingredients for your cake, add in 1 to 2 teaspoons of pure peppermint extract. Mix batter as directed and bake in the cake pan of your choice!
For the frosting:
Prepare frosting as directed on the box! Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of pure peppermint extract when adding the milk. Mix to combine.