Friday, July 27, 2012

Andes Mint Chocolate Cake with Ganache




1 cup boiling water
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk (OR 1 c. milk mixed with 1 T. vinegar)
1/2 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped Andes Mints

Heat oven to 350 degrees and grease/flour three 8 inch cake pans. Bring some water to a boil and keep it simmering while you mix the other ingredients.

In a large mixing bowl combine the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Beat with mixer until combined.

Add 1 cup of the boiling water and carefully stir until it is mixed in. Beat for 1 1/2 minutes with mixer. Fold in Andes Mints. Pour the batter into pans. Bake for 20-23 minutes (until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean).


Mint Buttercream Frosting

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
6 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
green food coloring
1/2 cup milk (may use less)

Mix butter, sugar, vanilla, peppermint and food coloring on low speed in large mixing bowl. Gradually add milk until you reach the desired consistency. Keep covered.


Ganache

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place the chocolate chips in a metal bowl. Heat cream over medium heat. Watch it closely and immediately remove from heat when it starts to boil. Pour over chocolate chips. Let sit for 1 or 2 minutes. Then slowly stir the mixture. Continue to stir until all the chips have completely melted. Stir in the vanilla.

Allow the ganache to cool and thicken before you use it. Let it sit at room temperature for a couple hours, or put in the refrigerator if you want to speed things up. Start pouring the ganache over the center of your cake, and slowly move outward in circles.

You can actually cut this recipe in half and still have enough to cover the cake. But you will love having leftovers to pour over ice cream, drizzle over cupcakes...so many possibilities! Cover and store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

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