Chocolate Peppermint Cake in a Jar
Chocolate + Peppermint = Big, Mega, Super Love for me. Maybe that’s why I use the combination in everything from truffles to pretzels to cookies during the holiday season. Actually, let’s be real. That’s definitely why.
Still, despite one attempt at putting it in a cake (it was okay, but not good enough for the blog), I have largely skipped over the chocolate cake + peppermint variation. Until now, that is.
Meet Chocolate Peppermint Cake in a Jar. It’s a moist, airy cake with a secret layer of peppermint cream near the bottom. And it’s topped with a rich dark chocolate ganache and a sprinkle of crushed candy cane. And yes, it’s absolutely delicious. If you love these flavors, you will be in heaven with this cake.
Creating this recipe so that it was just right was a challenge. There was a moment earlier this week where I thought it might defeat me. I couldn’t get the peppermint center to behave. It kept melting to the bottom, leaving a flavorful cake that was good, until you got to the bottom where it was too stuck to the jar to enjoy. In the end, I found that the peppermint patty wants to be toward the bottom no matter what — but by freezing it and adding it frozen to the cake (and carefully timing it), the peppermint layer remains in tact … a super surprise as you reach the end of eating.
This recipe is adapted heavily from one for a chocolate mayonnaise cake that a former coworker gave to me after I had a disastrous time making chocolate cupcakes from scratch. I have no idea where the original came from. The mayonnaise is such an interesting addition, lending moisture without density to this cake. You won’t taste it in there, but the addition of mayo does a little magic.
Make it. It’s worth it.
You start by beating together eggs, sugar and vanilla until it’s creamy. Then you add the mayo. And a tiny bit of oil.
Then you sift together the dry ingredients. I always sift using a wire whisk. It makes it so easy. Once that’s done, you mix it all together and start filling the jars.
If you happen to have a canning funnel, this is a great time to break it out. It makes jar filling so much easier.
Once the jars are about half-full, place a frozen York Peppermint Patty gently in each jar. The frozen part is really important — if the candy is at room temperature, it will melt into the bottom of the cake, making a hard to scoop mess. But when it’s frozen, it remains in tact … a delicious finish to the cake.
Cover the peppermint patty with more batter so that it’s completely submerged.
Bake them, and then cover them all in chocolate ganache. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Then you have a delicious dessert perfect for the holidays. You could cover these and gift them … or serve them at a party. The single serve portion is perfect since you don’t have to worry about cutting pieces or ensuring there’s enough for everyone.
Also, Hellmann’s is generously sponsoring a holiday giveaway here on Sarah’s Cucina Bella of a KitchenAid Pro 450 Series 4-1/2-Quart Stand Mixer in Empire Red, perfect for making awesome holiday treats and snacks — like this cake. Scroll all the way down to the end of this post to learn how to enter.
Chocolate Peppermint Cake in a Jar
yields 6 cakes
Cake:
2 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup mayonnaise (recommended: Hellmann’s mayonnaise)
1 tbsp canola oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup water
6 miniature York Peppermint Patties, frozen
Topping:
1/3 cup heavy cream
3 oz dark chocolate, broken into pieces
1 candy cane, crushed
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Set six half-pint jelly jars on a baking sheet.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat together the eggs, sugar and vanilla on high for 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add the mayonnaise, beating until combined. Add the canola oil and beat on medium until fully incorporated (about 30 seconds).
Remove the whisk attachment from the stand mixer and fit it with the paddle attachment. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
With the stand mixer running on low, add a little of the flour mixture at a time, alternating with the water. Until just mixed (do not over mix!).
Now that the batter is ready, it’s time to fill the jars. If you have a canning funnel (it has a big mouth for easy pouring), then I totally recommend you use it. Fill the jars about 1/2 way with the cake batter. Then get out your frozen peppermint patties, unwrap them and place one on each cake, taking care not to let it touch the sides. Then, cover the peppermint patties with the remainder of the batter, dividing it evenly among the six jars.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
Once the cakes are cool, it’s time to make the ganache. Heat the heavy cream in a small sauce pan until just before boiling. Remove from the heat, stir in the chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes. Stir again, vigorously, until smooth. Let cool for 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
Pour the chocolate ganache over all the cakes, dividing it evenly among them. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set the chocolate. Then devour.
Making these ahead? Don’t add the crushed candy canes to the top of the cakes until just before serving.
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KitchenAid Pro 450 Series 4-1/2-Quart Stand Mixer Giveaway (Sponsored by Hellmann’s)
Hellmann’s has generously agreed to give one lucky reader of Sarah’s Cucina Bella a KitchenAid Pro 450 Series 4-1/2-Quart Stand Mixer. I am so excited for one of you to have this awesome mixer. The Empire Red color (I have the Artisan mixer in Empire Red) is such a vibrant and energizing color. It’s perfect for all your baking needs.
Update: This giveaway has ended.
The random number generator at Random.org selected comment #3 as the winner. Congrats to Tiffiny Palm! I will be contacting you shortly via email.
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Disclosure: The giveaway is being provided by Hellmann’s because of my involvement in their Real Foodies program. I have not been compensated in any way for writing this post. Also, all opinions are my own.
Category: dessert, Recipes, Reviews, Contests and More
About the Author (Author Profile)
Sarah W. Caron is a freelance writer, editor and recipe developer. Her work has appeared in countless online and print publications including iVillage, BELLA NYC Magazine, Yum for Kids magazine and more. She lives in Connecticut with her two kids, two beagles and husband.Comments (106)
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- Slow Start to a Merry Christmas | Kerryknits's Blog | December 23, 2012
Delicious AND cute too! Love this cake idea. Favorite holiday flavor combo. Butter and sugar. ha ha! True shortbread cookies. There’s not much else you taste!
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Liked Sarah’s Cucina Bella and Hellmann’s on fb….fb name is Tiff Palm
My fav holiday flavor combo is cream cheese and pumpkin. The recipe your sharing sounds amazing too. Love Chocolate and peppermint too.
mmm, love the flavor combo!
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Cinnamon and sugar!
oranges, cranberries, and white chocolate. yum.
Chocolate and peanut butter….whether holiday or not!
orange and vanilla.
Love pumpkin and chocolate this time of year!
karenreichmann@hotmail.com
I love the combination of chocolate and peppermint
I follow you and Hellmann’s on twitter
Dthern
I like you and Hellman on facebook
I love chocolate and mint during the holidays!
I love cinnamon and sugar. Yum!
I like both of you on facebook
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And I gave you a thumbs up on babble
Lindsay {Life and Kitchen} recently posted..OXO Good Cookie Giveaway
And I follow you both on Twitter. But that’s it because I’m not sure how to use pintrest.
Lindsay {Life and Kitchen} recently posted..OXO Good Cookie Giveaway
My favorite holiday combination has to be ginger and orange…love the combination of them together!!
OK, just liked both you and Hellman’s on Facebook!!!! I hope I win!!!!
debbie recently posted..Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
I too love chocolate and peppermint, especially at the holidays, but I also love anything with egg nog especially cheesecake.
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I gave you a thumbs up on Babble. Good luck!
Beth @ Hungry Happenings recently posted..Twelve days of sweet designs, day 3 – Eskimos atop brownies
Well, you stole my peppermint/chocolate-loving heart with this. It’s my all-time favorite holiday flavor combo. In fact, I’ve been whipping up my own homemade peppermint patties all month. Cannot wait to try this recipe!!
I LOVE Chocolate & Peppermint!! (liked you both!)
My favorite holiday combination flavors are mint and vanilla as in mint spiked sugar cookies-when shaped like candy canes are to die for!!
I like you and Hellman’s on Facebook
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Gave you a thumbs up on Babble’s top 100 (#72)
eggnog and pumpkin. not sure if i like them together but those are the flavors of the holidays!
i am a twitter follower.
i am a facebook fan.
i gave you a thumbs up on babble.
I love the combination of eggnog and rum! Not just the drink but I make a custard pie with those flavors as well, its like christmas in a pie!! This recipe is so cute btw, I would love to try it for christmas dinner.
Love cinnamon and cloves for the holidays
I liked you and Hellman’s on Facebook!
I now follow you both on Twitter
I gave you a thumbs-up on the Babble list
Beautiful gift idea, and great combo! This time of year I crave pumpkin and sage (sometimes w/ hazelnuts or ginger added in). The combo can be used in everything from savory pancakes, to soups, to pasta, and so on. Love the blog
I love the combination of ginger, ground cloves, and nutmeg. The combination spells holiday time for me.
I like both Sarah’s Cucina Bella and Hellmann’s on Facebook.
I am following BOTH Sarah Caron and Hellmann’s on Twitter.
I gave a Thumbs Up to Sarah’s Cucina Bella on Babble’s Top 100 Mom Food Blogs.
I like to put whipped cream on my mollases cookies if that counts as a flavor combo
I love chocolate and mint! in cupcakes, in hot chocolate, in cookies, brownies, everything!
I like you and hellmann’s on Facebook
following both on twitter
and a thumbs up on babble
I have of few one of them being the eggnog and nutmeg another being chocolate and peppermint.
I love the flavor of chocolate and cinnamon together! so yummy!!!
I liked you both on Facebook!
I followed both y’all on Twitter!
I gave you a thumbs up on Babble!
I’m gonna have to try this one, looks delicious! I love the taste of cinnamon and pumpkin; pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pie are among my favorites. My mom always put cinnamon in my hot chocolate growing up, and she still makes cinnamon tea when I’m home for the holidays.
I liked you & hellmans!
Gave you thumbs up on Babble!
Eggnog is my favorite holiday flavor! Also, chocolate and mint or chocolate and cinnamon.
I don’t like chocolate and peppermint, but the guy sitting next to me sure does!
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I love eggnog and chocolate milk together. You might think I am weird but it actually tastes really good. I also love chocolate and peppermint or orange together in chocolates! Christmas is my favorite time of the year!
I liked Hellmann’s and you on facebook!
I most definitely pinned this on pinterest, cause I want to make it!
I Just gave you a thumbs up on Babble. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Liked both of you on Facebook. This recipe looks delicious
I’m absolutely obsessed with making peppermint mochas at home during the holidays. It’s DEFINITELY cheaper than Starbucks! I also have a family tradition of making cinnamon buns for Christmas morning, so I love cinnamon and sugar!
Thank-you for sharing this recipie. I gave you and Hellmans a thumbs up on facebook. I also like chocolate and hazelnut, and pumpkin and pecan.
I gave you and a thumbs up on Babble’s Top 100. I also love anything Cinnamon and ginger.
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I voted on Babble!
I love chocolate and peppermint. I recently found white chocolate covered flavored with peppermint covering star shaped pretzels. LOVED them.
I follow you on twitter!
I like you and Hellman’s on FB. (Also just noticed the “both on the twitter entry, and confirmed that I am following Hellman’s on twitter too!)
This is the perfect combo – peppermint and chocolate. Ask your Mom what kind of ice cream I ate at Friendly’s when we met – peppermint and hot chocolate fudge. Delish.
p.s. I liked your page and Hellman’s.
peppermint & brown sugar
littlegray88 at yahoo dot com
I like you and Hellmans on fb
littlegray88 at yahoo dot com
I follow you and hellmans on twitter
littlegray88 at yahoo dot com
I love pumpkin with holiday spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, etc.
Im currently really into the lemon/gingerbread combination. But I do LOVE the traditional peppermint chocolate combo, that will NEVER get old!
I have to agree that Peppermint & Chocolate is a great flavor combination. I’ve also learned that Nutella makes a wonderul filling btwn layers of Chocolate Cake. Chocolate, Hazelnut & Peppermint…I might have to try that
I love love love chocolate and peppermint. Love. My absolute favorite. Hands down.
Sehoorn@gmsil.com
Peppermint and chocolate? You’ve nailed my favorite holiday combo right there. Just thinking about it is making me swoon!
Can you overnight me a half dozen of these? Nom Nom Nom
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What a great day to stumble upon your blog! What an awesome giveaway, and I love the chocolate peppermint cake in a jar idea!
I love pumpkin flavors the most.. with all of the usual spice suspects
Almond and chocolate are my favorite combo. I’ve been making hot chocolate with bittersweet chips and almond extract every night for the last week. Nothing says holidays to me like hot chocolate that smells like spritz cookies!
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Gingerbread will always mean the holidays to me – chocolate, mint, eggnog, all good things, but gingerbread is it.
I have to admit I’m not so keen on chocolate and peppermint, but I love nutmeg and anything, pumpkin, apple pie, sweet potatoes, eggnog, it can’t be beat!
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I already like Hellman’s on FB and I just liked you
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I’m a long time follower of you both on twitter
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Just gave you a thumbs up, you’re up to 84!
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You’ve been pinned!
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Chocolate and Peppermint, for sure!! And following on Twitter!
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potato, onion, and hot oil – for homemade latkes!
PB and chocolate!
I like apple and cinnamon!
Like BOTH Sarah’s Cucina Bella and Hellmann’s on Facebook.
Jessie C.
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chocolate and caramel
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I follow Sarah Caron and Hellmann’s on Twitter as phyllis2win
I like cinnamon & sugar – Snickerdoodles
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Thumbs up on Babble – you have 85 now
I like Hellmann’s on Twitter
I liked you both on Facebook! so yummy!!! Chocolate and Peppermint, for sure!! I follow you on twitter!