This one layer mint chocolate cake is reminiscent of a thin mint cookie! The recipe comes from Rebecca Firth’s cookbook The Cake Book and is truly a dessert masterpiece complete with rich chocolate cake, mint cream frosting, and glossy dark chocolate ganache to finish it all off.
You’re going to fall in love with this cake.
But first, let me share the source of this outstanding recipe. Do you follow Rebecca Firth from the blog Displaced Housewife? Rebecca is a best-selling author and flavor genius who imparts her creativity in every single recipe she publishes. She’s the source of these orange butter cookies, a recipe I shared from her 1st cookbook The Cookie Book. Rebecca is so much fun to follow because she tells us to “bake like a boss!” Plus, her photography is stunning, her recipes are unique and craveable, and she is truly as sweet as her vanilla chocolate chip cookies.
Rebecca, you’re such a delight!!
The Cake Book!
Rebecca Firth’s latest book is The Cake Book and I am so excited to share one of her recipes. Rebecca says that every occasion is better with cake and I know everyone reading this probably agrees! The Cake Book is filled with 60 fun and unique cake recipes divided into 8 chapters. Every single recipe includes a photo, cup & gram measurements, and thorough instructions. Some recipes I’m eager to try next include Raspberry Jam Coffee Cake, Chocolate Stout Cake with Champagne Buttercream, Dulce de Leche Pumpkin Cheesecake, and Lemon Olive Oil Chiffon Cake. Read more about The Cake Book here!
Mint Chocolate Cookie Cake Details
Rebecca calls this indulgent dessert her Thicc Mint Cookie Cake. I include the word “chocolate” in the title just in case you come here searching for a chocolate cake. This cake is reminiscent of a thin mint cookie, which is why Cookie is in the title. But, you see, it’s not thin at all… it’s THICCCCCCK! The cake is a 1 layer 9-inch moist chocolate cake topped with peppermint cream frosting and mega glossy dark chocolate ganache. Eat your heart out!
- Flavor: Enjoy dark, rich chocolate cake with peppermint frosting, and dark chocolate ganache on top. If you love mint and chocolate, you’d be a fool to skip this stunner.
- Texture: This special single layer chocolate cake is as moist as my layered chocolate cake. What I love about Rebecca’s recipe, though, is that it’s made with both oil and butter. The combination of fats add plenty of moisture (oil) AND flavor (butter). I also find this cake isn’t as light and sponge-y as the layered chocolate cake, so you’ll enjoy a tighter crumb in each forkful.
- Ease: There’s 3 components to this recipe and you can work on each as others are baking/cooling/setting up. There aren’t any specialty tools required, but a double boiler is handy for the ganache. If you don’t have a double boiler, use a heat-safe bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Assembly and decorating is a breeze, which is something I always appreciate with one layer cakes!
Cake Batter Key Ingredients
Besides some basics like eggs, flour, sugar, baking powder & soda, and salt, here are some key ingredients you need for the cake batter.
- Butter: I love that Rebecca’s cake calls for both butter and oil. As mentioned above, you get rich flavor and moisture from both.
- Olive Oil: Use your extra virgin olive oil in this cake. If it’s something you like to cook with, it’s something you want to use in this recipe. If you don’t have olive oil, I’m sure you could use vegetable oil.
- Vanilla Extract: Rebecca is no stranger to vanilla extract and she loves using plenty in her delicious recipes. You need vanilla extract for the cake batter AND the chocolate ganache on top. Make sure you pick up some peppermint extract for the mint cream layer, too.
- Cocoa powder: Rebecca’s recipe calls for dutch process cocoa. I accidentally used natural cocoa the 1st time I made it, then I made it again with dutched. Both cakes were amazing! You could use either in this recipe.
- Hot Water: Hot water is the very last ingredient in the cake batter. Have you made my layered chocolate cake before? That recipe also calls for hot liquid (water or black coffee). Hot liquid enhances cocoa powder’s flavor and also encourages it to bloom and dissolve appropriately.
Below, right: Take a look at the photo below on the right. That’s creamed butter + sugar + olive oil. Make sure you cream the butter and sugar together first, and then mix in the olive oil.
Let me show you the cake batter before and after adding the hot water. On the left below, notice the thick batter. On the right below, the batter has thinned out after adding the hot liquid.
Bake the cake in a 9-inch round cake pan. My #1 tip is to always line your round pans with parchment paper rounds before adding the batter.
If you’re looking for smaller 6-inch cake, this 1 layer 6-inch chocolate cake is a favorite.
Finishing the Mint Chocolate Cookie Cake
This cake wouldn’t be THICK without our layered toppings:
- Peppermint Cream: The thick layer of peppermint frosting reminds me of the filling between oatmeal creme pies, only with a mint flavor. The peppermint cream uses a combination of butter and shortening for flavor and stability. You also need peppermint extract AND real mint for flavor. Save a few mint leaves for garnish, if desired.
- Ganache: Start the chocolate ganache as the cake cools because by the time the cake has cooled, the ganache will be ready too. Rebecca’s ganache uses *slightly* more chocolate than cream, so it’s wonderfully thick. (Thinner chocolate ganache uses a 1:1 ratio.) Use 2 cups of chopped dark chocolate, which is about 3 4-ounce chopped baking chocolate bars (such as Ghirardelli or Bakers brand). A little salt and vanilla add flavor to her ganache. I actually reduced the salt in the ganache the 2nd time I made it because I used intense dark chocolate—see my recipe note below.
Both toppings yield a lot of volume and don’t be afraid to use it all!
I hope you enjoy this show-stopping cake and if you have a moment, check out Rebecca’s new cookbook. I know many of you love finding new cake recipes!
PrintMint Chocolate Cake
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours (includes cooling)
- Yield: serves 8-10
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This mint chocolate cookie cake will remind you of a thin mint cookie, only it’s not thin… it’s mega thick! The show stopping cake, complete with peppermint cream and glossy chocolate ganache, comes from Rebecca Firth’s cookbook The Cake Book.
Ingredients
Cake
- 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
Chocolate Ganache
- 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
Peppermint Cream
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (113g) vegetable shortening, 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
Instructions
- 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. (If it’s helpful, see this parchment paper rounds for cakes video & post.)
- For the cake: 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.
- Make the ganache as the cake cools: 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.)
- For the peppermint cream frosting: In the bowl of an electric handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, shortening, 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.
- Assemble: 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. (You can see it pictured above.) I always use a small icing spatula. 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.
Notes
- 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. See How to Freeze Cakes.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): 9-inch Round Cake Pan | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Silicone Spatula or Wooden Spoon | Glass Mixing Bowl | Whisk | Cooling Rack | Double Boiler (optional) | Small Icing Spatula | Small Offset Spatula | Cake Carrier (for storage)
- 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.
- Shortening: If you do not have shortening, you can replace with the same amount of room temperature unsalted butter for a total of 1 cup (226g) butter in the peppermint frosting.
- Recipe with permission from The Cake Book by Rebecca Firth
This recipe is amazing! The description of it being a giant Thin Mint in the form of cake is so accurate…so minty, so delicious, and so easy! Everyone loved it – this is a definite remake. Thank you Sally!
This cake super delicious and I only put chocolate ganache.
I tried this cake a few days ago because I was craving something chocolate and minty. It was absolutely delicious, but I have one question. Before it was even out of the oven, my cake had sunk in the middle. Any suggestions why, and how I could change that for next time? Thanks!
Hi Rosie, A cake that sinks in the middle is often under-baked. A minute or two longer in the oven should help with the sinking and make sure the cake is fully baked. Glad to hear you enjoy this recipe!
Made this for my daughter’s birthday. It went together quick and easy. I wasn’t sure about the fresh mint at first (it tasted a little “earthy” at first, but it mellowed a bit after being in the fridge and was really good. The different textures really complement each other and it tasted delicious! The cake was a showstopper and looks like it took a lot more work than it does. Thanks for sharing this recipe, Sally!
Made these in cupcake form and they are SO good! Tastes just like a thin mint!
I have 9 inch x 1-1/2″ round cake pan, metal or I have 9 Inch x 2 glass round, which do I use? I do not have a 2 inch high, will 1-1/2 inch work. Thank you for your help.
My husband can’t wait to make it for a church potluck this Sunday the 30th.
Hi Candy, Your 9 inch metal pan should be just fine. Enjoy!
Could you bake this cake in a springform pan to create a more uniform look to the icing? I’m not a neat baker! 😀
Hi Ellen, You likely could, but once you cover the icing with the chocolate ganache and it drips down the sides – no one will be able to tell that your frosting isn’t the neatest!
I made this over the week end. It looks exactly the same as the picture–beautiful. But, I don’t like the mint cream at all. I’m not sure what I did wrong, I followed the instructions. I can taste the shortening in the frosting, and it’s just not good. The ganache is great! The cake part is great, it’s just the mint cream tastes odd. I don’t know if it’s just me, or maybe I messed something up?
If you ever try the recipe again, you can definitely replace the shortening with the same amount of unsalted butter. Thank you for trying it and I’m glad you loved the other components!
I couldn’t wait to try this recipe! This cake is amazing. I followed the recipe exactly, but baked it in my KA Charlotte cake pan. The indentation in the top was perfect for the mint cream. I covered only the top with the ganache just letting a little run down between the flutes. What a showstopper! Thanks for a wonderful recipe.
Hi Sally, I made this cake the other day and substituted the flour with King Arthur Measure for Measure gluten-free flour. The cake deflated soooo badly when I took it out of the oven:( What adjustments to you recommend for using gluten free flour for cakes? I love all of your recipes and with most I can substitute 1:1, but this one did not work for me. Please help! Thank you:)
Hi Amy! I’m not gluten free baking expert, but I imagine that when combined with cocoa powder, GF flour may not be strong enough to hold up to all the butter, oil, and hot water. I wish I had some advice but again– not much experience with gluten free flours. I do have a flourless chocolate cake if you ever want to try that.
This cake looks incredible!! I have a question about the olive oil in the cake ingredients. The weight is measured in grams. Not ml?? Thank you !!
Hi Wendy, that’s how the recipe author listed it. Let me also add the ml.
I questioned the olive oil measurement too. According to my scale 1/4 cup of olive oil was more like 39 grams, not 56 grams as stated in the recipe. I used my 1/4 cup liquid measure (39) and it turned out fine. Any thoughts? Thanks so much.
Anne
Made it exactly as described. Perfect! Will definitely make again.
Hi Sally. Can I substitute peppermint oil for peppermint extract? Since oil is more concentrated will it work in this recipe? I’m thinking it may work but the amount would be greatly reduced. Please advise. Thank you
Hi Susan, I’m sure that would work. I would use 1/2 peppermint oil. (Start small, taste, then add more if you’d like.)
Perfect! Thank you.
Sally you made this look absolutely stunning!! Thank you (ALWAYS) for your support — you are the best!!! R xox
This looks so amazing! Would you recommend taking the same recipe and making cupcakes?
You could absolutely make cupcakes using this recipe. You could even use the cream frosting as a filling for the cupcakes– sort of like these chocolate strawberry cupcakes.
This is an excellent dessert. I added a bit of green gel coloring for effect, shaved chocolate to the cream for texture and substituted butter for shortening. My family loved it. Recommendation: be careful with the salt. It’s easy to make this too salty.
Hi Sally. Would it be fine to leave out the fresh mint? Currently where I live, the stores are out of it 🙁
Thanks!
HI Bree, You can leave out the fresh mint. There is still plenty of mint flavor in the cream frosting.
Mint and Chocolate is my favorite combo of all time! Making this one tomorrow!!!
I don’t particularly like mint so I exchange that for orange and used the zest of two oranges and a teaspoon of orange extract. The combination of the orange with the chocolate was spectacular. Friends were over for dinner. It was a ‘wow’ dessert.
Oh, great minds, Adrienne! I was just wondering how orange would work. Love orange and chocolate! Thanks!
Hi! Is it possible to use coconut oil in place of shortening ? Thanks, Diane
Hi Diane, I don’t recommend coconut oil in the cream layer. Use butter instead. (See note.)
Hi Sally and friends! I am pregnant and wanted to try your gender surprise cake you did a few years ago. I can’t find the recipe anywhere on your site though! Is there a link I can follow? Pregnancy brain!! Thank you.
Hi Cristina, congratulations! You can email us for that recipe: sally@sallysbakingaddiction.com
Looks amazing and can’t wait to try it! If I wanted to try and scale down for a 7 inch cake pan, would you recommend making 1/3 of the recipe? 1/2? Thanks!
Hi Eva, this cake pan sizes and conversions page will be helpful for that. To make things extra easy, you can’t go wrong with halving the recipe for that size pan.
Thank you!! I’m looking to make this for Valentine’s Day for two of us.
Hi Sally – thanks to you for sharing and to Rebecca for letting you share this recipe with us! It looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it. Question – if you left out the fresh mint from the frosting, would you add more (and how much more) peppermint extract?
Hi Kathleen, there is still plenty of mint flavor in the cream frosting. No need to add more extract if you leave out the mint!
I can see adding just a little green food coloring if you didn’t add the fresh mint. I don’t have access to fresh mint so glad you asked this question.
This looks stupendous, Sally! I love the combination of mint and chocolate but alas, my family does not. I’ll skip the mint for vanilla. Can’t wait to make this!
Looks delicious! But I’m always confused about chocolate baking squares. The ones I have used have no sugar. Do they also make sweetened Baker’s Chocolate or is the ganache not sweet?
Hi Lane, the brand bakers does make an unsweetened chocolate bar which is labeled as such. Look for “semi-sweet” or “bittersweet.” That’s what you want to use in this ganache.
I can’t wait to try this! Does it matter what type of fresh mint to use? Peppermint or sweet mint? Thanks
Hi Melissa! I imagine any mint you enjoy would be fine– I used peppermint.
I’m currently making this cake. I wonder why the one cup of flour here is listed as 135 g. One cup of King Arthur flour, for example, is 120 g. Thanks for any clarification!
Hi Amalie, the recipe author measured her flour as such so if you are using weights, I recommend using 135g flour.
Hubby & I are currently eating your Mint Brownies, which are outstanding! This recipe seems similar but makes a much smaller cake. Looking forward to trying it.
Wow i could eat that entire thing ! Looks Gorgeous too
This looks amazing! I think with the almond extract, plus some very finely chopped maraschino cherries added to the cream, it would make an excellent Cherry Cordial Cake, with a few cherries to garnish the top!
LOVE that idea!!
Crazy question- I am NOT a fan of mint but this cake looks both beautiful and delicious. If I omitted the mint in the cream is there something else you would recommend in its place? Tablespoon of Vanilla? Maybe Almond?
Hi Nichole, you could absolutely add some vanilla extract to the cream filling/frosting. Almond could be tasty too! (Go lighter on the almond– perhaps 1 teaspoon.)
Can I use powdered mint candies instead of peppermint extract? Something like polo? Also what if I want to add the minty flavor into the cake batter…can I add powdered polos in there too?
Hi Zee, I’m unsure– I haven’t tried the peppermint cream that way before but let me know if you test it. I don’t recommend that in the cake though. Instead, feel free to add some very finely chopped fresh mint to the cake batter.