Name: Chocolate Mint Cake
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 80 min
Ingredients: 350 g Butter or baking spread (unsalted, softened); 350 g Caster sugar; 6 Eggs (large); 300 g Self raising flour; 50 g Cocoa powder; 1/2 tsp Baking powder; 1 tbsp Milk; 250 g Butter (unsalted, softened); 450 g Icing sugar; 50 g Cocoa powder; 2 tsp Peppermint extract; 2 tbsp Milk ((you may need a little more if using butter)); 300 g Mint Matchmakers; 250 g Aero Bubbles; Green ribbon

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Mint chocolate has got to be one of the most classic dessert combinations out there. The freshness of the mint cuts through the sweetness of chocolate perfectly. This Chocolate Mint Cake is for all the chocolate and mint fans out there - I know there are a lot of you! This is a really special and impressive cake, so it would be great for a celebration or a birthday. It is also easy to make and easy to decorate too as it doesn't involve any special techniques or piping. You don't have to add the green ribbon but I think it does make the cake look extra special and ready for a party!

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Ingredient Tips & Equipment Information

Make sure all your ingredients (particularly the eggs and butter) are at room temperature before you start baking. If you are using a baking spread, most can be used straight from the fridge if you're in a rush. But real butter will need to come to room temperature to soften.
You can also make an orange version of this cake with orange Matchmakers, orange Aero Bubbles and orange extract.
Although I provide cup measurements, I highly recommend weighing your ingredients out using digital kitchen scales. It is the most accurate way to measure ingredients and will ensure the best results. Digital scales are very low cost and can be purchased for around £12 ($16.50) .
For teaspoon (tsp) and tablespoon (tbsp) measurements, please use measuring spoons and not the type of spoons you eat with. Again this will ensure accuracy and provide the best results.

For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to make Chocolate Mint Cake

To make the chocolate sponge, mix the butter and sugar together, then whisk in eggs and milk, and then whisk in cocoa powder, self rasing flour and baking powder. Divide the mixture beteween the tins and bake for 35 minutes, then leave to cool completely.

For the buttercream, mix together icing sugar, butter, cocoa powder, milk and peppermint extract. Place the first sponge onto your cake stand, cake board or plate and pipe or spread some buttercream on top of it.

Add the second sponge on top, and smooth more buttercream around the sides of the whole cake in a thin layer. Then stick the mint Matchmakers to the cake all the way around.

Add a green ribbon and tie it in a bow, then spread more buttercream over the top of the cake in a generous layer. Place the Aero Bubbles on top neatly in rows, or in a big pile if you prefer.

For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post.

Can this cake be made in different sized cake tins?

If you would like to make this cake in different size tins, please check my Conversion Guide to find out how to adjust the recipe. You will of course need more or less of the matchmakers and aero bubbles too, depending if you are trying to make it bigger or smaller.

How should the cake be stored and can it be frozen?

The cake should be stored in an airtight container in a cool place and will last for 3-4 days. You can freeze the cake sponges for up to 3 months. Once the sponges are fully cool, wrap them well with cling film or put them in an airtight container with some baking paper between them. You can freeze the buttercream on it’s own in a tub, it will also keep in the fridge for as long as the best before date on the packet of butter you use for it. I do not recommend freezing the cake once it is decorated as chocolate does not freeze very well for long periods of time.

Can you make the cake with plain/all purpose flour?

Self raising flour, which is very commonly used in the UK where I am based, already contains a raising agent and a little salt too. Therefore if you want to swap it for plain or all purpose flour, you will need to add some additional baking powder and also a little salt if you like. Some people like to add salt to cake recipes and some don't, so I'll leave that up to you as it won't affect the bake. The general advice is to add 2 teaspoons baking powder (a measuring teaspoon, not the kind you stir your coffee with) per every 200g plain or all purpose flour. So for this recipe you'd need to add an additional 2 + ½ teaspoons baking powder. Please note, I have not tested this recipe using plain or all purpose flour.

Can this recipe be made gluten or dairy free?

Yes! For gluten free you can replace the self raising flour with a gluten free self raising flour blend. If you only have a gluten free plain flour blend, you will need to add additional baking powder. The general advice is to add 2 tsp baking powder per 200g flour, so for this recipe you'd need to add an additional 2 + ½ teaspoons baking powder. You may also like to add ½ tsp xanthan gum for better texture. For a dairy free version, use a dairy free baking spread for the cake and buttercream, and dairy free milk for the buttercream too. You will also need to decorate the cake with dairy free chocolate. Please do check the labels for everything you use to make the cake if you are serving it to someone with an allergy or intolerance.

More tips for making the Chocolate Mint Cake:

You could also make this into a chocolate orange cake by swapping the pepperming extract for orange extract, and using orange matchmakers and orange aero bubbles. And an orange ribbon of course!
Instead of Aero Bubbles, you could decorate the top with other mint chocolates like After Eights, mint flavoured Lindt, Bendicks, Elizabeth Shaw mint crisps, etc.
I used a YouTube tutorial for how to tie the ribbon neatly.

Troubleshooting

If you have any questions about this recipe, or if something went wrong and you need help, please use the comment form below and I will get back to you.

You can also get in touch with me on my Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. I'd love to hear from you!

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