This choc peppermint mud cake is a rich, indulgent treat with a refreshing mint twist. Topped with creamy ganache, it’s perfect for birthdays, celebrations or when you want to impress with something a little different.
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On this day 3 years ago, I hit publish on my very first post. I really didn't have any idea about what I was doing and if you look at said very first post you'll note I didn't even know the difference between a macaron and a macaroon!
That day I had 5 visitors - me, mum, my sis, my friend and maybe I checked it on my phone too.
I didn't have much of an idea of what I wanted to achieve from starting the blog but I never imagined the places it would take me and I certainly never thought quite a few people would become regular visitors to my little part of the internet.
Thank you to every single one of you that takes the time to read my sometimes ramblings every day. Without you this wouldn't be much fun!
Now of course I couldn't let an auspicious occasion pass by without cake. I asked on Facebook what I should make to celebrate and while I loved all your suggestions, I really can't go past a cake.
Last year it was a salted peanut chocolate tart, so dangerously good you can't make it unless it's for an occasion or it just may disappear.
This year's celebration cake - choc peppermint mud cake - may just knock last year's out of the water in terms of richness and irresistibility. Of course I had to make something a little bit over-the-top and indulgent and what's indulgence without chocolate?
Now imagine this - layers of moist rich, chocolate cake sandwiched with sweet, peppermint icing, covered with a thick coating of smooth chocolate ganache. Oh yes this is one to save for special occasions but it's a must-try.
Would you believe me if I said that I didn't eat the whole piece I sliced for the photo above? No I wouldn't either. It was that good I didn't move from my photo set up on the floor as I devoured every crumb.
It would have made a rather entertaining sight for anyone walking past - pregnant lady sitting on the floor stuffing her face with chocolate cake. Hey that's what celebrations are all about right?
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
What about you? What's your favourite food to celebrate with?
Recipe
Choc peppermint mud cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
- ¾ cup boiling water
- 125 g butter chopped
- 100 g dark eating chocolate chopped
- 1 cup 220g caster (superfine) sugar
- 1 free-range egg
- ¾ cup 110g self-raising flour
- ½ cup 75g plain (all-purpose) flour
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
Filling
- 125 g 1 stick butter, chopped and softened
- 3 cups 480g icing (confectioner's) sugar
- 2 tablespoon milk - might need a little extra
- ½ teaspoon peppermint essence
- green food colouring
Chocolate ganache
- 300 g dark eating chocolate chopped
- 1 cup 250ml cream
Instructions
- Start by making the cakes - grease and line two (or four - they are going to be split in half so if you have 4 small round cake tins, I find it easer to bake the layers separately) 20cm round cake tins with baking paper.
- Pre-heat the oven to 130C fan-forced (290F).
- Dissolve the coffee in the boiling water then pour it into a medium saucepan along with the butter, chocolate and sugar. Heat, stirring, over medium heat until smooth then transfer to a heat-proof bowl and allow to cool slightly.
- Whisk in the egg, sifted flours and cocoa.
- Divide the batter evenly between the tins and bake for 45 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean (about 20-25 mins if you're using 4 tins - check cakes with a cake tester).
- Leave cakes to rest in the tins for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Meanwhile make the filling by beating the butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the icing sugar gradually and then beat in the milk, essence and colouring. You may need to a add a little milk to get it to a spreadable consistency and beat until fluffy.
- If you made two cakes, carefully split each one into two layers.
- Place one layer of cake on a wire rack and spread with ¼ of the icing.
- Place another layer of cake on top and ice then repeat with the rest of the cakes and icing then refrigerate the cake for at least an hour.
- To make the ganache, combine the chocolate and cream in a heat proof bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Mix well and then microwave for another 30 seconds.
- Give it a very good stir and if it's not smooth, microwave another 20 seconds at a time, stirring well between each go.
- Leave it to cool slightly.
- Place the chilled cake (still on the wire rack) over a plate or sheet of baking paper and carefully pour/spread the chocolate ganache over the cake to cover it.
- Leave to set on the bench.
- Carefully transfer the cake to a serving plate to serve and decorate however you like.
Nutrition
Phil says
I plan to attempt this for my daughter's birthday cake. I have never made a cake from scratch... wish me luck!
Claire says
Good luck Phil! You can do it!
Jess says
Thanks to a cold, I'm way behind on blog reading, but I didn't want to miss out on saying a very, very happy 3rd, friend! Can't think of anything I would find more celebratory than a slice of that beautiful cake!
Claire says
Thanks Jess! I hope you're feeling better!
JJ @ 84thand3rd says
yay for three years - congrats! Sounds like the perfect cake to celebrate with and that ganache looks like perfection :D xx
Shannon says
Congrats Claire! Feels like so much longer in some ways. Well done, the blog has come a long way and I still enjoy reading it every day :)
Claire says
Thanks Shannon! :-)
Liz @ I Spy Plum Pie says
Happy third birthday! That's an impressive run! And that cake - oh my. I'd have to make sure a lot of people would be around or that could disappear quickly which I'm sure I'd enjoy at the time, but might regret later!
Claire says
Thanks Liz! Yes I think you'd probably regret it later. It's pretty rich!
Hotly Spiced says
Happy Anniversary, Claire! I think we all had a start just like yours. I used to make my kids click in and out of my blog so I could watch my stats rise! Tragic. I love how you made yourself a celebratory cake and this cake looks incredible. I love all the layers and it looks so rich and decadent xx
Claire says
Haha I wish I had more people who could have clicked for me back then! Nothing tragic about it at all. x
celia says
Three years! Hooray, happy blogaversary! It's been so much fun getting to know you and following your adventures! Your cake looks magnificent, and very fitting for such a special occasion! :)
Claire says
You too Celia. I can't believe how fast the time has gone!
Carole says
Congratulations - 3 years is a big achievement - I was so embarrassed by my first post that I deleted after a few months when I realised how pathetic it was! I'm turning 2 later this month so have a ways to go to get to your level of experience.
Great cake too. Would it be ok with you if I added it to the cake collection over at Carole's Chatter and pinned it to that board as well - just let me know by email or a comment at Carole's Chatter Cheers
Claire says
Hi Carole. Oh no I think it's good to keep them to remind you how far you've come! You most certainly can. Thanks for sharing!
Lisa the Gourmet Wog says
Woohoo! 3 years is an amazing achievement and you've certainly come a long way since your first post!
I have the image of you on the floor covered in cake and it's hilarious! What a fabulous cake Claire, chocolate and mint are always a winning combination xx
Claire says
It was a pretty funny scene. I actually paused for a very small moment in shame but I got over it rather quickly. x
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Now THAT'S cake to celebrate with. Congratulations on three wonderful years!
Claire says
Thanks Maureen!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Love those scrumptious layers Claire! And happy 3rd birthday to you!!! :D
Claire says
Thanks Lorraine!
Danielle says
Congrats and happy 3rd birthday! Bet it has flown by. Love your blog and recipes and I think this cake is going to be my new favourite celebratory food :-)
Claire says
Thanks Danielle. It certainly has. I hope you like it!
Dale says
Congratulations Claire. I love reading your posts each day. I'll definitely be trying this beautiful cake. Chocolate and peppermint are my 2 favourite things. I made the raspberry ripple cake last week. My daughter and her boyfriend were going away for the weekend and they stole the cake. Apparently they kept it in their room and didn't share it with anyone and kept sneaking back for sly slices! Lol.
Claire says
Thanks so much Dale! How funny although I really don't blame them. It's almost too good to share!
gerrij says
Happy 3rd Blog-day!!! Loving all the great recipes that you put up (and the hunger inducing pics!!!!) :)
Claire says
Thanks Gerrij!
erin @ she cooks, she gardens says
Congratulations on your blogoversary and on this epic cake. I've got a great visual in my mind right now of you pigging out on floor cake. I've been there, go you good thing! :)
Claire says
Thanks Erin! It's a pretty sight isn't it? I'm glad I'm not the only one though.
Vija says
Happy 3rd birthday :) The cake looks delicious
Claire says
Thanks Vija!