1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, room temperature and cut into 8 pieces
1/4 cup (56g) extra-virgin olive oil
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 Tablespoon (13g) pure vanilla extract or vanilla paste
1 cup (135g) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (43g) unsweetened dutch-process or natural cocoa powder, sifted
1 teaspoon (5g) baking powder
1 teaspoon (5g) baking soda
1 teaspoon (6g) salt or fine sea salt
1/2 cup (120ml) hot water
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×2-inch round cake pan, line with a parchment paper round, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cake seamlessly release from the pan.
In the bowl of an electric handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the sugar and butter together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes. With the mixer on low, slowly stream in the oil. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is well blended. With the mixer on low, add in the eggs, one at a time, making sure that each is incorporated before adding in the next. Add the vanilla and run the mixer for 30 more seconds. Take the bowl out of the mixer.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined. With a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, fold the flour mixture into the butter mixture in three batches, mixing each until almost blended. Batter will be very thick. Finally, pour in the hot water and whisk to combine. Pour evenly into prepared cake pan. Lightly tap pan on the counter a few times to settle the cake batter and release any trapped air bubbles.
Bake in the center of the oven for 30-36 minutes (and up to 40 minutes, if needed but begin checking at 30). The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or when the cake springs back if you lightly poke the center with your finger. Remove from the oven and cool cake in the pan set on a cooling rack for 20 minutes. Remove cake from the pan and place cake directly on the cooling rack to finish cooling. Once cool, you can place the cake on your cake stand or serving plate.
2 cups (340g) dark chocolate, finely chopped* (see note)
1 and 1/4 cups (300ml) heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon salt or fine sea salt*
2 teaspoons (8g) pure vanilla extract or vanilla paste
Place the chocolate, cream, and salt in a large heat-safe bowl set over a medium saucepan of simmering water. (Or use a double boiler if you have one.) Do not let the bottom of the bowl touch the water. Stir frequently until chocolate has melted and ganache is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Set aside at room temperature to cool until thickened. You want it cool enough to not melt the frosting, but still a little fluid. This takes about 60-90 minutes to cool. (NOTE: This yields a lot of ganache and I used about 3/4 of it on top of the cake and then drizzled more on each slice.)
1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 Tablespoons (4g) fresh mint, finely chopped (plus more for garnish if desired)
3 and 1/2 cups (420g) confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons (8g) peppermint extract
3 Tablespoons (45ml) whole milk, room temperature
In the bowl of an electric handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and mint together on medium-low speed until combined. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl and beat again as needed to combine. Add confectioners’ sugar, peppermint extract, and milk and continue beating until whipped, smooth and creamy.
Spread peppermint cream in a thick layer all over the top of the cooled cake. There’s a lot of frosting, so pile it high. Try to make the edges sharp angles that follow the line of the cake.
Place uncovered in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to help set the frosting.
Pour ganache slowly on top of cake and use a small offset spatula or a knife to gently spread all over the frosting.
Return cake to the refrigerator and chill uncovered for 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Feel free to garnish with mint leaves.
Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: Prepare cake through step 4. Wrap the baked and cooled cake tightly and keep at room temperature for 1 day or freeze up to 3 months. Bring to room temperature (if frozen) then continue with step 5. Peppermint frosting can also be made 1 day ahead of time. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Bring frosting to room temperature, and then beat the frosting on medium speed for a few seconds so it’s creamy again. Adding a splash of milk will help thin the frosting out, if needed. You can also make the ganache 1 day in advance and cover and refrigerate, but you may need to slightly warm it again over a stove so it’s slightly fluid again. Assembled/frosted cake freezes well, up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and then bring to room temperature or serve cold.
Chocolate in Ganache: You can use 2 cups of high quality dark chocolate chips or 3 4-ounce chocolate baking bars that you can find in the baking aisle such as Ghirardelli or Bakers brand. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate is fine.
Salt in Ganache: I used 70% dark chocolate baking bars (found in the baking aisle), so I reduced the salt in Rebecca’s recipe. If using very dark chocolate, you may want to keep the amount at 1/4 teaspoon. If using a sweeter chocolate, feel free to use 1/2 teaspoon as her recipe calls for.
This recipe is from The Cake Book by Rebecca Firth, accessed at Sally's Baking Addiction. View recipe source online
