Peppermint Crunch Cake Recipes

PEPPERMINT SLICE

Steps:

• Generously grease and line a 28x18cm tray with greaseproof paper and set aside. In a pan, melt the butter, sugar, cocoa and chocolate.
• Meanwhile, crush the disgestive biscuits, either in a sandwich bag with a rolling pin, or blitz in a blender. Add to the melted mixture and stir until combined.
• Transfer the base mixture to your prepared tray and using a wooden spoon, press the mixture into the tray, ensuring you get right into the corners and have an even finish. Place the base into the fridge to chill for 1 hour.
• Once the base has cooled, prepare the filling but sifting the icing sugar into a large bowl. Add 1 tsp of hot water at a time until you have a spreadable consistency; 3-4 tsp of water should be enough but add more or less as required.
• Add the peppermint extract and green food colouring (optional) to the icing and mix until well combined. Spread the icing evenly over the biscuit base and return to the fridge for another 1 hour to set.
• Once the filling has set, remove from the fridge and set aside. Over a bain marie (or in short bursts in the microwave) melt the dark chocolate before pouring and evenly spreading on top of the filling. If desired, top with some crushed Mint Aero.
• Allow the peppermint slice to set in the fridge for at least 1 hour but ideally overnight. Once set, cut into your desired size.

PEPPERMINT CRUNCH CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter two 8" round pans, line with parchment circles, and butter again. Then dust with flour. If that's too much work, you could try using Pam with flour.
• Combine chocolate, cocoa, and hot coffee in a small bowl and whisk until smooth.
• Add milk and whisk again. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and sugars until fluffy.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
• Add vanilla, scrape down sides, and beat again for 30 seconds.
• Alternate adding the flour mixture and the chocolate mixture, beginning and ending with flour.
• Divide batter evenly between pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
• Allow to cool for about 15 minutes before running a knife around the edges and flipping out onto a cooling rack. Cool completely before frosting.
• While cake is cooling, make frosting.
• Combine butter, powdered sugar, and peppermint extract in the bowl of a stand mixer.
• Slowly add cream until the frosting is spreadable. You might not need all of it.
• When cake is completely cool, place one 8" cake on a serving plate, top with frosting, and sprinkle with crushed candy canes.
• Place the other cake layer on top, flat side up.
• Completely cover top and sides with remaining frosting.
• Sprinkle with remaining candy cane pieces just before serving.

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.