Fudgy Chocolate Peppermint Cake (gluten-free!)

I shared this stunning cake for the vacations final yr after testing it a number of occasions to get the proper texture and taste. I instantly texted a photograph to my crew, and so they have been mainly left speechless.

I imply, simply LOOK at that fudgy cake with probably the most tender crumb and the fluffiest buttercream!

That is my beautiful chocolate peppermint cake with an expensive peppermint buttercream frosting (and loads of crushed sweet canes for good measure). She’s festive, she’s cute, and she or he’s somewhat “snacking cake” AKA my favourite sort to bake after I don’t really feel like baking a bunch of layers. OH, and she or he’s gluten-free, too! Really easy to make and ideal in your vacation desk. Belief me, after one chew everybody will probably be asking for this recipe!

All the things you’ll have to make this chocolate peppermint cake

This gluten-free mint chocolate cake is deliciously moist and fudgy, and SO straightforward to make with easy elements:

• Flour: we’re utilizing a mixture of high-quality blanched almond flour and oat flour to maintain the cake gluten-free.
• Cacao powder: I really like baking with cacao powder as a result of it provides such a wealthy chocolate taste. You can too use unsweetened cocoa powder.
• Yogurt: plain Greek yogurt offers this cake further moisture.
• Eggs: you’ll want 3 eggs to bake the cake up correctly.
• Butter: we’re additionally including some melted salted butter into the cake batter for much more fudgy texture. You’ll want butter for the peppermint buttercream as nicely!
• Sweeteners: we’re naturally sweetening the cake itself with pure maple syrup and coconut sugar.
• Taste boosters: we’re including each vanilla extract AND peppermint extract to carry out the sweetness and the proper mint taste.
• Baking staples: you’ll want each baking powder and baking soda, plus somewhat salt.
• For the peppermint buttercream: I’m obsessive about how this frosting turned out. It’s made with salted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and peppermint extracts, and a tiny little bit of milk. I like so as to add somewhat crimson or pink pure meals coloring to make the frosting pink, after which don’t neglect the crushed up sweet canes to brighten!

Simple dairy-free and vegan swaps

Sure, you may make this chocolate peppermint cake dairy-free and/or vegan! Merely use:

• A dairy-free yogurt (I counsel siggi’s plant based mostly vanilla cups)
• Coconut oil or vegan butter within the cake itself (I like to recommend Miyoko’s salted vegan butter)
• 3 flax eggs (if making it vegan)
• And vegan butter within the frosting

Can I exploit completely different flours?

Sadly, no, I can’t suggest an alternative choice to the almond flour and oat flour on this recipe, so swap at your personal threat!

Tips on how to make the most effective chocolate peppermint cake

1. Whisk the dry elements. Whisk collectively your whole dry elements in a massive bowl till nicely mixed.
2. Combine the moist elements. Combine the moist elements EXCEPT the butter in a separate massive bowl till clean.
3. Mix the batter. Add the dry elements to the moist and blend till mixed and clean, THEN stir within the melted butter.
4. Bake it up. Pour the batter right into a ready 8×8 inch baking pan, then bake till a tester comes out clear!
5. Make the frosting. Use an electrical mixer or hand mixer to whip the softened butter. Add the powdered sugar, extracts, and meals coloring (if utilizing), and beat slowly, then improve velocity to excessive till the frosting is fluffy. Combine in some milk to skinny it out a bit should you’d like.
6. Frost, slice & devour. Unfold the frosting onto your cooled cake, sprinkle crushed sweet canes, slice, and serve!

The significance of weighing elements

I take a look at all of my baking recipes by weighing the elements, which is the most effective, most correct method to make sure that your baked good seems completely! In case you don’t already, seize an inexpensive kitchen scale and get into the follow of weighing. It makes such a distinction, and can prevent clean-up time!

Can I make cupcakes?

Sure! Merely divide the batter into a regular cupcake pan lined with cupcake liners, and spray the insides with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for about 15-18 minutes till a tester comes out clear. Cool the cupcakes fully earlier than frosting and adorning.

Attempt a double chocolate model

The peppermint buttercream frosting is really distinctive, however should you’re an enormous chocolate lover, attempt topping the cake with this excellent chocolate buttercream frosting.

Festive toppings you’ll love

I do know I’ll get tons of questions in regards to the all pure meals coloring I exploit, so click on right here to get it! When you’ve frosted the peppermint chocolate cake, have enjoyable with kiddos adorning the highest with:

Storing & freezing suggestions

• To retailer: I like to recommend storing this chocolate peppermint cake in hermetic containers within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
• To freeze: let the cake cool after which wrap it nicely with out the frosting in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Place the complete cake in an hermetic container or zip-top freezer bag. To serve it, thaw the cake within the fridge in a single day, then let the cake come to room temp earlier than including the frosting and serving it.

Instruments you’ll want

Get all of my kitchen necessities right here!

Extra cake recipes you’ll love

Get all of my cake recipes right here!

I hope you’re keen on this gluten-free chocolate peppermint cake! In case you make it remember to depart a remark and a score so I understand how you preferred it. Take pleasure in, xo!

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Bold Kitchen | Images by: Eat Love Eats

This submit was initially revealed on December seventeenth, 2024, and republished on December sixteenth, 2025.