RECIPE: HOT CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH PEPPERMINT BUTTERCREAM

ummm, yeah, okay. there are currently two days until christmas. sadly i haven't been able to produce as much holiday content as i would've liked [finals, the biggest timesuck] this year, but i'm here now + that's all that matters, right? :) anyway. since i've been home i've been in the kitchen a lot --- i went on break much sooner than my friends, so free time = lots of new treats, which leads me to right now, sharing this insanely delicious hot chocolate cake with you!! recipe below!

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DIRECTIONS for the cake

  1. begin by preheating your oven to 350*F
  2. combine all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl
  3. over the stove, combine boiling water with your hot chocolate mix
  4. remove heat once the mix has been fully dissolved + beat in the butter + eggs into the hot chocolate
  5. add the wet ingredients to the dry + mix it baby! 
  6. pour into a cake pan + bake until a toothpick can be inserted + removed clean

INGREDIENTS for the cake

  • 2 3/4 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup hot chocolate mix
  • 1 1/2 cups hot/boiling water (to dissolve the hot chocolate mix)
  • 1 cup melted butter
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla

 

recipe adapted from here

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INGREDIENTS for the frosting

  1. beat butter in a bowl until creamy
  2. add in sugar + cocoa
  3. once the sugar/butter/cocoa mixture is combined evenly, add in the milk, + then the peppermint.
  4. mix well + frost your cake once cooled!

INGREDIENTS for the frosting

  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2 2⁄3 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1⁄2 cup cocoa
  • 1⁄3 cup milk
  • 1 1⁄2 teaspoons peppermint extract

recipe adapted from here

 

you can use toothpicks, powdered sugar, + colored white chocolate to make a little winter scene on the top! when baking into the night, you get a little creative, + by creative i mean over-the-top obsessive about little details. 😉

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guys, this cake is actually so good. i know a hot chocolate cake doesn't sound incredibly appealing, but it really is delicious! + i don't even eat cake. the peppermint buttercream adds such a nice holiday flavor to it, + the decorations on top are so simple + are perfect for holiday parties! [or more realistically -- if you need a last minute dessert since there are only two days left until the big day!!] merry christmas friends; have a great weekend!!