Dessert

Peppermint Cocoa Layer Cake

Ingredients

What you'll need

1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

2 cups Zulka granulated sugar

¾ cup baking cocoa

1 ¾ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup buttermilk

½ cup vegetable oil

3 large eggs, room temperature

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 cup hot coffee

Frosting: 3 cups heavy cream, 1 ½ teaspoon peppermint extract, ¾ cup powdered sugar, ⅓ cup Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix

Toppings: Peppermint Patties, Peppermint Candies, Sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Grease 2 8 x 2 inch round cake pans with butter and flour or cooking spray.

Combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.

Beat in eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, batter is going to be very thin.

Pour 2 cups of batter into each 6 inch pan or divide evenly between the two 8 inch pans.

Bake 6 inch cakes for 30-35 minutes and 8 inch cakes for 40-45 minutes until toothpick comes clean from center.

Cool in pans for at least 10 minutes and loosen from sides of pan before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Whip frosting ingredients together in a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on medium high until light and fluffy about 4-5 minutes.

Add about 1½ to 2 cups of frosting to the top of one of the layers of cake, spreading evenly over it, then topping with the second layer of cake. Use a frosting spatula to generously frost the outside of the cake. Serve within 2 hours or store in the fridge for up to 24. Top with candy just before serving.

Directions

What to do