Chocolate Peppermint Cake

By carvalhohm

Fun, festive, and fast—what better way to top off a holiday dinner?

Ingredients

• 1 box chocolate cake mix (for layer cake)
• 1 (4-serving) box chocolate instant pudding and pie filling mix
• 1 cup water
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) softened butter
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped round hard peppermint candies
• 1 cup vanilla frosting
• 2 cups chocolate frosting
• Softened vanilla or peppermint ice cream (optional)

Details

Servings 16
Adapted from dashrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Coat 3 (8-inch) layer cake pans with cooking spray.

3. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, water, butter, eggs, and peppermint extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds and on medium for 2 minutes. Stir in chips. Pour into pans.

4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Turn out onto rack to finish cooling.

5. Mix vanilla frosting with 1/4 cup chopped candies. Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand. Spread with vanilla frosting. Place second layer on top and spread with vanilla frosting. Top with third layer. Cover entire cake with chocolate frosting.

6. Press candies into sides of cake with a small spatula or knife. Serve with ice cream, if desired.