Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Cake – Rich, dark chocolate cake layers with mini chocolate chips and mint buttercream.
Mint Chocolate Chip Cake
My Easy Mint Chocolate Chip Cake is the first mint cake I made about 5 years ago and recently decided to give it a bit of an update. If you’ve tried my Grasshopper Pie Cake or at least taken a look at it, this is basically an easier version of that cake. It’s simply a mint chocolate cake with mint buttercream and mini chocolate chips. Same mint flavors as the Grasshopper Pie Cake, but a lot less steps. So, if you’re looking for something easy and quick, this cake is a great option. Just two elements: cake and buttercream.
What’s in this Mint Chocolate Chip Cake Recipe
In the original cake, I used mint cookies and mini chocolate chips in between layers, but decided to just go with the mini chocolate chips this time. The Grasshopper Pie Cake already has mint cookies in between the cake layers with an awesome whipped cream cheese filling. I thought it best to keep this one true to the original mint chocolate chip ice cream flavor and removed the cookies in my redo.
How to Make Moist Cake Layers
When making the cake layers, don’t forget to follow my go-to tips for getting your cakes to rise and bake well:
- Preheat your oven for 30 minutes prior to baking.
- Use good quality pans like Fat Daddio.
- Spray your pans with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper.
- Don’t overmix your cake batter once you add the dry ingredients.
- Use room temperature wet ingredients.
- Use fresh baking powder.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out with a few moist crumbs on it.
Mint Buttercream
For my buttercream, I have a subtle mint flavor added to my classic vanilla buttercream. I then created a subtle ombre design. If you head over to my Instagram IGTV, you’ll see the full tutorial HERE. It’s quite easy to create and such a pretty look.
How to Make the Best Buttercream Frosting
To get this silky smooth buttercream, make sure you follow my tips: HOW TO MAKE THE BEST BUTTERCREAM
- Sift your powdered sugar
- Use slightly cold butter
- Use heavy whipping cream
- Beat for 5 minutes
- Stir by hand
You’ll want to check out the post linked above for more details on each step to make sure you get the best buttercream frosting. And remember, these steps can be used for any buttercream recipe on my blog.
Other St. Patrick’s Day-Inspired Recipes You’ll Love
- Grasshopper Pie Cake
- Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cake
- Green Velvet Cake
- Golden Oreo Cake
- Super Easy Mint Andes Double Chocolate Cookies
Mint Chocolate Chip Cake
Rich, dark chocolate cake layers with mini chocolate chips and mint buttercream.
Ingredients
FOR THE CAKE
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup dark cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 3 eggs, room temperature (I use large or extra large)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup hot water, or hot coffee
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
FOR THE BUTTERCREAM
- 2 cups unsalted butter, slightly cold
- 6 cups powdered sugar, measured and then sifted
- 6-8 teaspoons pure mint extract, start with 6, you may want more depending on how much you love mint
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
- Green food coloring, optional
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- *This buttercream recipe makes enough to fill and cover your cake. If you want to add additional piping, you’ll want to make an extra 1/2 batch.
Instructions
FOR THE CAKE
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Spray three 8-inch or four 6-inch pans with nonstick spray, line the bottom of the pans with parchment paper and spray again. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir to combine.
- In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, water and vanilla. Stir until combined.
- With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix for about 30 seconds and then scrape down the sides of the bowl Mix again for 10-20 seconds until the ingredient are combined.
- Evenly distribute the batter among the pans. For three 8-inch pans, I usually get about 15-16 ounces in each pan. For the four 6-inch pans, about 12 ounces in each pan.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes
- Let cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before inverting onto cooling racks to cool completely.
- Once cooled completely, the cakes can be individually wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the freezer for a few days. If you want to store the cakes for longer, wrap each in foil as well. With the foil, the cake layers will be good for about a month.
FOR THE BUTTERCREAM
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter for about 2 minutes.
- Turn the mixer to low and gradually add the sifted powdered sugar.
- Once the powdered sugar has been mixed in, add the mint extract, cream, salt and food coloring (if using). Turn the mixer to medium-high speed and beat for about 5 minutes.
- Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a wooden spoon and mix by hand to stir out the air bubbles.
- Set aside 2 cups of buttercream and mix in 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips. You'll use this in between the layers.
ASSEMBLY
- Place the first cake layer on a cake board or cake plate top side up. Spread 1 cup of the buttercream mixed with the mini chocolate chips across the cake layer.
- Place the second cake layer on top and spread the remainder of the mini chocolate chip filled buttercream. For the final cake layer, place it bottom side up.
- Apply a thin layer of the buttercream around the entire cake as the crumb coat. Freeze the cake for about 10 minutes to set the crumb coat and lock in those pesky chocolate crumbs.
- Continue to frost the cake with the remainder of the frosting.
Which brand of mint extract do you use? I used Watkins pure mint extract and it had more of a spearmint taste than I liked. Wondering if there is a better option.
I have used McCormicks and Lorann Oils. I think I like the Lorann brand the best.
Made this yesterday and I was wondering if 6-8 teaspoons of mint extract was incorrect? It seemed like a lot to me so I did 3t and it was way too much! The frosting tasted almost like toothpaste it was too strong. Since I’ve loved every cake I’ve ever made from you I was concerned this was a mistake or maybe different extracts are stronger than others? Honestly I’d do 1-2t max next time. (I used McCormicks) *side note when I made the Grasshopper Pie cake that frosting was amazing and only had one teaspoon mint extract.
Oh yeah, that seems like a typo! The Grasshopper Pie Cake is more current, so I’d definitely go by that and I’ll fix this recipe.
You haven’t edited this yet, by the way! Still says 6-8 tsp. Mint!
Como voce faz seu extrato de baunilha e de hortelã?
You don’t make it. You would buy them at the store!
Hello!
The description says the cake is mint chocolate but there isn’t a mint ingredient in the list, did you use a peppermint extract?
thank you so much!
Kelly
Uh oh! I’ll get that fixed. You can use mint or peppermint, whichever you like better – 1 tsp.
I haven’t made the recipe yet, but the second ingredient listed in the cake recipe doesn’t have an ingredient listed. I’m guessing it’s 1 3/4 cup sugar?
Yes!
Do they need to be springform pans?
No
Hello! Can I add mini chocolate chips to the chocolate cake as well? or will they just sink?
Dust them in a little flour before adding.
I have not tried the cake yet. I tried the frosting but not the entire cake and I am so glad I read the review that said it was way too much extract. I put 1 teaspoon in the cake and it is plenty minty for me. 6 to 8 teaspoons would’ve ruined it for my taste.