Andes Mint Chocolate Cake with Ganache

I am very excited to share this recipe with you today! It is SO delicious!!
My daughter even declared this one of her top 5 favorite cakes!
That is pretty good, considering how many cakes I have made.

Andes Mint Chocolate Cake

• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk (OR 1 c. milk mixed with 1 T. vinegar)
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup chopped Andes Mints

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of three 8 inch cake pans with wax paper and spray the sides of the pan with cooking spray. Bring some water to a boil and keep it simmering while you mix the other ingredients.

In a large mixing bowl combine the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Beat with mixer until combined.

Add 1 cup of the boiling water and carefully stir until it is mixed in. Beat for 1 1/2 minutes with mixer. Shake the chopped Andes Mints in a ziploc bag with a tablespoon of flour, until they are lightly coated. Fold the mints into the batter and pour into prepared pans. Bake for 20-23 minutes (until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean).

Mint Buttercream Frosting

• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 6 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• green food coloring
• 1/2 cup milk (may use less)

Mix butter, sugar, vanilla, peppermint and food coloring on low speed in large mixing bowl. Gradually add milk until you reach the desired consistency. Keep covered.

Decorating Tip: I used a cake decorating comb to make the ridges on the sides of the cake.

Ganache

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place the chocolate chips in a metal bowl. Heat cream over medium heat. Watch it closely and immediately remove from heat when it starts to boil. Pour over chocolate chips. Let stand for 1 or 2 minutes. Then slowly stir the mixture until all the chips have completely melted. Stir in the vanilla.

Allow the ganache to cool and slightly thicken before you use it. Let it sit at room temperature for a couple hours, or put in the refrigerator if you want to speed things up. Start pouring the ganache over the center of your cake, and slowly move outward in circles.

You can actually cut this recipe in half and still have enough to cover the cake. But you will love having leftovers to pour over ice cream, drizzle over cupcakes...so many possibilities! Cover and store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Please go make this cake! You will thank me. Your family will thank me. :0)

Enjoy!

 I share my recipes & tutorials at these fun link parties. 

This post was featured!

Autumn Leaves Cake

Yes, I realize that the stores are full of Christmas stuff.
There was Christmas music playing as I did my grocery shopping yesterday.

 But I'm not giving in!

My Christmas decorations are not coming out until after Thanksgiving.

And today I made this autumn leaves cake in lots of yummy fall colors...

Here is how you make the leaves:

First, put several colors of candy melts in piping bags.
I used Wilton decorating tip #3.

Make a leaf template (or print this one). I found a leaves coloring page online, and my graphic designer hubby removed the stems and sized them for me.

Tape your template on to a piece of cardboard, and tape wax paper over that.

Pipe the outline of each leaf.

Then go back and fill in each leaf with a contrasting color.

Pop them in the fridge so they can set up.

Carefully peel the wax paper off the leaves (they are a bit delicate) and arrange them on your cake. Then you could take your lovely cake outside for a photo shoot...

Happy Autumn!

I hope that you will visit again! Be a follower, and don't miss out on any of the fun! :0)

I linked up here:
30 Days Pity Party
Delicately Constructed Friday 
Once Upon A Weekend
Weekend Wrap Up Party
I'm Lovin' It 
Sweet Tooth Friday
Sundae Scoop Link Party
Nifty Thrifty Sunday 
Craft-O-Maniac
Tuesday To Do Party 
Strut Your Stuff Link Party
The 36th Avenue 

This post was featured: