Mint Chocolate Chip Anyone?

A few weeks back my Mother, her husband, and their 3 adopted kids were visiting.

Before they came I asked my Mother, "What is your favorite dessert flavor"?

I already knew the answer, but she responded with, "Mint & Chocolate".

I was on a mission to find and make a SPECIAL treat just for them that would be custom flavored for their tongues!  

HERE IS WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

CAKE

-1/2 cup butter, softened

-1-1/2 cups sugar

-2 eggs

-1-1/2 cups flour

-9 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

-1/2 teaspoon salt

-1 teaspoon baking soda

-1/2 teaspoon baking powder

-1/2 cup brewed coffee, cooled

-1/2 cup milk

Mix coffee and milk together and set aside.

Beat butter and sugar for about 5 minutes until smooth.

In a separate bowl, sift cocoa with the flour.

Add baking soda and powder and set aside. 

Beat in one egg at a time.

Slowly add the dry ingredients alternating with the coffee/milk mixture.

Mix well.

Grease and flour 2 pans.

I had hoped of doing 2 round pans, but then realized I only had one...so I did a square and a circle.

Pour cake batter into pans.

Bake at 350º for about 25 minutes.

Remove and allow to cool at least 10 minutes before removing from pans.

Cool completely before frosting.

**Psst...I have a secret.  When I make cakes or cupcakes I normally freeze them overnight before I frost them.

This ensures that they are fully chilled and it locks in the moisture, but the time you are ready to serve they will be thawed and deliciously moist**

FROSTING

-1 cup butter, softened

-7 cups powdered sugar

-2 teaspoons peppermint extract or less if you aren't as keen on peppermint.

-1/2 cup milk plus 2 Tablespoons

-1 bag of special dark chocolate chips

-Green food coloring (as much as you like to make as green as you like)

Beat butter and powdered sugar and milk 3-5 minutes until smooth and creamy.

Add food coloring and extract to mixture.

I suggest the extract before the food coloring so that if you taste test the frosting you won't end up with a green mouth ;) 

Mix well.

Fold in your chocolate chips.

Retrieve your cakes from wherever you are storing them and begin frosting!

I did not frost in-between the cake layers which may be why I have a container of left over frosting in my freezer waiting for me to whip up some cupcakes!

When you are done....server it up!

I hope you can find a reason to indulge in this tasty treat!

Have a Blessed Tuesday!