Ben said that this was the best dessert I have ever made. I thought it was alright. It probably would not have made it into a post if he would not have raved on and on about it. So I am including it for Ben’s sake. And the ganache/frosting turned out perfectly! It was the absolute, most perfect consistency. It held up to the cutting of the cake and never got tough. It just sat there perfectly, holding its beautifully smooth and creamy shape.
It’s Christmas Eve! We have family coming over tonight. I’m excited about it, but I still have a lot to do. My tree is on its last leg but I think it will make it through tomorrow. I hope that everyone has a lovely Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Tomorrow night we can all start planning for the New Year!
Double Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cake
Ingredients:
-1 box of chocolate cake mix
– ½ c. butter (melted)
-1 egg
-16 Peppermint (Hershey’s Kisses)
-2 Tbsp. butter
– 1/8 tsp. peppermint extract
Preheat oven to 325° F. In a medium sized mixing bowl combine cake mix, melted butter, and egg. Mix well (batter will be very thick, like play dough). Evenly press batter into a parchment lined 8” X 8” X 2” pan. Top batter evenly with kisses (pressing them upside-down lightly into the batter. Bake uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes (until cake pulls away slightly from the edges of the pan). Remove from oven and let cool.
Meanwhile, place chocolate into a medium sized microwave safe bowl. Cook on high heat in microwave for 30 seconds, stir. Return to microwave for another 30 seconds, add butter, and stir until completely smooth. You may need a few more seconds in the microwave. Add 1/8 tsp. peppermint and stir again until incorporated and smooth.
You may have to trim the top of the cake to make it even for the chocolate ganache. After the cake is trimmed and cooled completely pour on all of the chocolate and spread out evenly. Place in fridge for 20 minutes or so to set ganache. Remove from fridge. Lift cake from pan with parchment, lie on cutting board, and cut into bars.
P. S. I know it’s not technically ganache. Ganache is chocolate and cream. But it acted just like ganache. You can call it icing or frosting if you want.
