Mint-Chocolate Santa Claus Cake
Kids will love this two-layer peppermint-flavored chocolate cake that's been cleverly frosted to look like Santa Claus.

Ingredients
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1 box (18.25 ounces) devil's food cake mix
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1-1/3 cups water
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1/2 cup vegetable oil
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3 eggs
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1 teaspoon peppermint extract
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2/3 cup mini chocolate chips
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Frosting:
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1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
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1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
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2 teaspoons peppermint extract
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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2 boxes (16 ounces each) confectioners' sugar
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6 to 7 tablespoons milk
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1 cup prepared chocolate frosting
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Red food coloring
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Assorted candies for decoration
Directions
1.
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat 2 heart-shaped pans ( 8 x 7-1/2 x 2-inch) with nonstick cooking spray. Line bottom of pans with waxed paper; spray again.
2.
Blend cake mix, water, oil and eggs in large bowl at low speed until moistened, about 30 seconds. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in peppermint extract and chocolate chips. Evenly divide between prepared pans.
3.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 to 15 minutes on a wire rack. Turn out of pans and cool completely. Remove waxed paper.
4.
Frosting: On low speed, beat butter, shortening and extracts until combined. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and 6 tablespoons of the milk, until smooth. Add the additional tablespoon of milk if needed for good consistency.
5.
Level top of cake layer with serrated knife. Place a cake layer, cut side down, on a serving plate. Frost with 1 cup prepared chocolate frosting. Place remaining layer on top, cut side down.
6.
Tint 3/4 cup of the white frosting light pink with food coloring. Spread on top of cake. Apply 3/4 cup of white frosting to sides in a thin coat.
7.
Place cake in front of you, pointy side up. With a toothpick, mark where ruffle of hat will be piped, about 2-1/2 to 3 inches from top. Mark where beard ends on face, leaving a 3-inch round for face.
8.
Tint 3/4 cup frosting bright red and place in a small pastry bag fitted with coupler and a small star tip. Pipe on hat. Place remaining white frosting in a large pastry bag fitted with coupler and a shell tip. Pipe a ruffle along the brim of the hat. Pipe swirls for hair and beard using "C" motion. Pipe pom-pom on point of hat. Place candy on face for eyes and nose. Pipe on eyebrows and mouth.
Nutrition information
Calories 433, Total Fat 19 g, Saturated Fat 6 g, Cholesterol 38 mg, Sodium 203 mg, Carbohydrate 65 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 2 g.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
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