Peppermint-Hot Chocolate Cake

By ukiahgal67

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup boiling water $
• 1 (4-oz.) milk chocolate baking bar, chopped $
• 1 cup butter, softened $
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs, separated $
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt $
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Fudge Filling
• 1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (12-oz.) package semisweet chocolate morsels
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
• Peppermint-Cream Frosting
• 1 (7-oz.) jar marshmallow crème
• 1 (8-oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract

Preparation

Step 1

1.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Grease and flour 3 (8-inch) round cake pans.

2.
Pour boiling water over chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth.
Cool to room temperature (about 30 minutes).

3.
Beat butter at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition.
Add melted chocolate and vanilla, beating until blended.
Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition.

4.
Beat egg whites at medium speed until soft peaks form; gently fold into batter. Pour batter into prepared pans.

5.
Bake at 350° for 20 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 40 minutes).

6.
Meanwhile, prepare Fudge Filling; spread between cake layers.
Spread frosting on top and sides of cake.

Fudge filling:
Combine sweetened condensed milk and chocolate morsels in a saucepan, and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, 4 to 6 minutes or until chocolate is melted and smooth.
Remove from heat; stir in peppermint extract.
Cool filling to room temperature (about 20 minutes).

Peppermint-Cream Frosting:
Beat marshmallow crème, whipped topping, and peppermint extract at high speed with an electric mixer 1 to 2 minutes or until glossy, stiff peaks form.