Peppermint Chocolate Cake – decadent, rich and fluffy chocolate cake is flavored with the addition of peppermint and it’s an absolutely perfect pairing.

This dreamy dessert is a perfectly festive holiday cake recipe!

Peppermint Chocolate Cake

I’m all about peppermint everything lately, and one of my favorite combinations is chocolate and peppermint together – like York peppermint patties.

Well imagine the flavors of a York or Junior Mints in soft and decadent cake form! Yes, it’s seriously dreamy, and it should definitely be added to your holiday baking list – probably at the very top :).

This cake is the infamous Hershey’s cake recipe which I added a few minor tweaks too, like adding buttermilk in place of the milk for more flavor and replacing some of the vanilla extract for peppermint.

I’m pretty sure it was is actually the first time I’ve ever tried that recipe but I’m certain it won’t be the last. It’s a perfect chocolate cake that’s incredibly soft and deliciously chocolatey and moist, plus it it easily adapted to make the perfect peppermint cake for the holidays!

And this Peppermint Buttercream Frosting is what Christmas dreams are made of!

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

More Delicious Cake Recipes to Try!

  • Spice Cake
  • Pumpkin Cake
  • Gingerbread Cake
  • Red Velvet Cake
  • Butter Pecan Cake

4.67 from 6 votes Review Recipe

Peppermint Chocolate Cake with Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

Peppermint Chocolate Cake is a perfectly festive holiday recipe! Decadent, rich and fluffy chocolate cake is flavored with the addition of peppermint and it’s an absolutely perfect pairing.  

Servings: 16

Prep35 minutesCook30 minutesCool2 hoursReady in: 1 hour 5 minutes

IngredientsCake1 3/4 cups (246g) all-purpose flour2 cups (430g) granulated sugar3/4 cup (80g) unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more for pans1 1/2 tsp baking soda1 1/2 tsp baking powder3/4 tsp salt1 cup (235ml) buttermilk1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil2 large eggs1 tsp peppermint extract1 tsp vanilla extract1 cup (235ml) boiling water (measure after it reaches a boil)Crushed peppermint candies or red sprinkles, for decoratingFrosting1 1/2 cups (340g) butter, at room temperature (preferably 1 cup unsalted 1/2 cup salted)3 - 5 Tbsp heavy cream2 1/2 tsp peppermint extract1/2 tsp vanilla extract4 3/4 cups (632g) powdered sugar

InstructionsFor the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 2 9-inch round baking pans and line with a round of parchment paper, butter parchment. Lightly dust pans with cocoa powder shaking out excess. Set aside.In a large mixing bowl whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.Add buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, peppermint extract and vanilla extract, then using an electric hand mixer blend mixture until on low until combined then increase speed to medium and mix 2 minutes. Mix in boiling water. Divide batter evenly among prepared baking pans. Bake in preheated oven 30 - 35 minutes then transfer to wire racks to cool for 10 minutes. Run knife around edges of cake to ensure the are loosened then invert onto wire racks to cool completely. Once cool frost with Peppermint Buttercream Frosting. Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature or in refrigerator.For the frosting: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer whip butter until pale and fluffy. Add in 3 Tbsp of the cream, the peppermint extract and vanilla extract and 1 cup of the powdered sugar and mix until combined. Add remaining powdered sugar and mix on low speed until blended and increase to medium-high speed and whip until light and fluffy, while adding in additional cream 1/2 Tbsp at a time to reach the right consistency.

NotesCake recipe adapted from Hershey’s

Nutrition Facts Peppermint Chocolate Cake with Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

	Amount Per Serving			

Calories 567 Calories from Fat 234

% Daily Value*

Fat 26g40%Saturated Fat 18g113%Cholesterol 71mg24%Sodium 256mg11%Potassium 172mg5%Carbohydrates 82g27%Fiber 2g8%Sugar 66g73%Protein 3g6% Vitamin A 625IU13%Calcium 56mg6%Iron 1.6mg9% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanKeyword: Peppermint Chocolate Cake Author: Jaclyn

4.67 from 6 votes

Review Recipe

Nutrition Facts Peppermint Chocolate Cake with Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

	Amount Per Serving			

Calories 567 Calories from Fat 234

% Daily Value*

Fat 26g40%Saturated Fat 18g113%Cholesterol 71mg24%Sodium 256mg11%Potassium 172mg5%Carbohydrates 82g27%Fiber 2g8%Sugar 66g73%Protein 3g6% Vitamin A 625IU13%Calcium 56mg6%Iron 1.6mg9% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Nutrition Facts

Peppermint Chocolate Cake with Peppermint Buttercream Frosting

	Amount Per Serving			

Calories 567 Calories from Fat 234

% Daily Value*

Fat 26g40%

Saturated Fat 18g113%

Cholesterol 71mg24%

Sodium 256mg11%

Potassium 172mg5%

Carbohydrates 82g27%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 66g73%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 625IU13%

Calcium 56mg6%

Iron 1.6mg9%

  • Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanKeyword: Peppermint Chocolate Cake

Author: Jaclyn