Candy Cane Frosting Recipes

PEPPERMINT LAYER CAKE WITH CANDY CANE FROSTING

Steps:

• Make the cake: Position racks in the middle and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter three 8-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the parchment and dust with flour, tapping out the excess. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl. Combine the milk and the vanilla and peppermint extracts in a small bowl; set aside.
• Beat the butter in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in 1 cup sugar, then increase the mixer speed to high and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, until just combined. Scrape down the side of the bowl, then increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until smooth, about 5 more minutes.
• In a separate large bowl (using clean beaters), beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed until foamy. Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and continue beating until stiff, shiny peaks form, about 6 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whites into the batter in 3 additions until combined.
• Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake, switching the position of the pans about halfway through, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let the cakes cool 10 minutes in the pans, then run a knife around the edges and invert onto racks to cool completely. Peel off the parchment. (The cakes can be made up to 1 day ahead; wrap in plastic and store at room temperature.)
• Make the frosting: Fill a medium saucepan with 1 to 2 inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Combine the sugar, corn syrup, egg whites, 2 tablespoons water and the salt in a heatproof bowl and set over the saucepan (do not let the bowl touch the water). Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture registers 165 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 8 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan and beat with a mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat until fluffy and cool, about 4 more minutes. Add the vanilla and peppermint extracts and beat until combined, 1 more minute.
• Assemble the cake: Place 1 cake layer on a platter and spread 1 cup frosting on top; sprinkle with about 2 tablespoons crushed candy canes. Top with another cake layer, spread with 1 cup frosting and sprinkle with another 2 tablespoons crushed candy canes. Top with the final cake layer, then frost the top and side of the cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle more crushed candy canes on top.

CANDY CANE FUDGE

Steps:

• Line 8-inch square pan with foil, leaving foil overhanging at 2 opposite sides of pan; spray foil with cooking spray.
• In large microwavable bowl, microwave white vanilla baking chips uncovered on High 1 minute. Spoon frosting over chips. Microwave uncovered on High 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, continue to microwave in 15-second increments until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in peppermint extract.
• Place 1/2 cup fudge mixture into small bowl; tint red by stirring in food color to desired color.
• Spread untinted fudge mixture into pan. Drop heaping tablespoons of red fudge mixture in pan to create random pattern. Pull table knife through layers for marbled design. Sprinkle crushed candies over top. Refrigerate uncovered until set, about 1 hour.
• Remove from pan by lifting foil; peel foil away. Using sharp knife, cut into 8 rows by 8 rows, cleaning knife blade after each cut. Store covered in refrigerator.

CANDY CANE FUDGE

Steps:

• Line an 8 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, and grease the foil.
• Combine the vanilla chips and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until almost melted, remove from heat and continue to stir until smooth. When chips are completely melted, stir in the peppermint extract, food coloring, and candy canes.
• Spread evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan. Chill for 2 hours, then cut into squares.

CANDY CANE FROSTING

Steps:

• Mix carnation with peppermint extract and salt in medium-sized bowl. Add the confectioners' sugar (you may call it "powdered" sugar). Blend them together with a wooden spoon until smooth.
• When icing is smooth, add softened butter and stir well.
• When cake layers have cooled about 2hours, put bottom layer on plate. Put about 1/2 cup icing on layer. Spread with a spatula.
• Put second cake layer on top. Spread icing around sides of cake. Frost the top of the cake last. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candy on top of cake.