When it comes to holiday gatherings, there's nothing quite like a rich, indulgent dessert to top things off. And for chocolate lovers, this Decadent Chocolate Peppermint Sheet Cake is the perfect choice. With a moist, fluffy chocolate cake layered with rich, creamy peppermint frosting, it's a dessert that's sure to impress your guests. Here's everything you need to know to make this delicious cake yourself.
Ingredients You'll Need to Make a Delicious Cake
Cake Batter Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water
- ½ cup finely chopped Hershey's chocolate or chocolate chips
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies, for garnish
When making a cake, it's important to have all your ingredients at room temperature before starting. This allows for better mixing and a smoother batter. Additionally, you can add in other ingredients to the cake batter such as nuts, dried fruit, or even a tablespoon of instant coffee for added flavor. Don't be afraid to get creative with your cake recipes!
Step-by-Step Directions to Bake the Perfect Cake
Preparing the Cake Batter
To start, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 inch cake pan with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt, and whisk them together until they're well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and mix until just combined. Add in the hot water, and stir until the batter is smooth. Finally, fold in the chopped chocolate or chocolate chips.
Baking the Cake to Perfection
Pour the batter into the greased cake pan, and smooth it out using a spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Once the cake is done, set it aside to cool completely before frosting.
Making the Frosting and Decorating the Cake
While the cake is cooling, it's time to make the frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until it's light and fluffy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, and beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy. Mix in the heavy cream, peppermint extract, and salt, and continue to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Once the cake has cooled, spread the peppermint frosting over the top of the cake using a spatula. Garnish with crushed candy canes or peppermint candies if desired. Slice and serve, and enjoy the decadent chocolate and peppermint flavors in every bite!
In conclusion, this Decadent Chocolate Peppermint Sheet Cake is a dessert that's perfect for your next holiday gathering. With its rich chocolate cake and creamy peppermint frosting, it's sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. Give it a try for your next celebration, and watch your guests' faces light up with delight!
One important tip to keep in mind when baking this cake is to make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin. This will help ensure that your cake batter mixes together smoothly and evenly, resulting in a perfectly baked cake. Additionally, if you're short on time, you can always make the cake and frosting a day ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.
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