Mint Chocolate Layer Cake

 Mint Chocolate Layer Cake

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup butter, softened

3 cups packed brown sugar

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup baking cocoa

3 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1-1/3 cups sour cream

1-1/3 cups boiling water

Mint Buttercream Frosting:

1 ½ cups butter

7 cups powdered sugar

3-4 tbsp milk

2 tsp peppermint extract

A few drops of green food coloring

Chocolate Ganache:

1 cup dark chocolate pieces

¾ cup heavy cream

Mint chocolate cookies

HOW TO PREPARE:

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour three 9-in. round baking pans. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition. Stir in water until blended. Transfer to prepared pans. Bake 30-35 minutes or until done. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

Mint Buttercream Frosting: Beat butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and milk. Add mint extract and green food coloring. Frost cake with frosting. 

Chocolate Ganache: Heat cream in a small saucepan until simmering, but not quite boiling. Place chocolate pieces in a bowl and pour heated cream over chocolate. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Whisk chocolate until smooth. Put in the fridge to chill and thicken up, maybe 30 minutes. Once thickened, carefully pour ganache over tops and sides. Decorate with cookies and sprinkles, if desired.