Homemade Chocolate Peppermint Cake
This Chocolate Peppermint Cake recipe is a homemade chocolate cake topped with a thick and creamy peppermint frosting!
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY CAKE RECIPE
This homemade chocolate cake goes perfectly with the velvety peppermint frosting. It is much easier than you’d think to whip up this holiday inspired cake!
TIPS FOR MAKING HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE CAKE:
- Check to make sure your baking soda is fresh. Usually if baking soda has been opened and is over 6 weeks old – it’s time to get new baking soda.
- In cake recipes, I like to use whole milk or 2% fat milk. If you use skim milk or milk substitutes, I can’t guarantee that the texture and moistness will come out correct.
- Depending on how much peppermint flavor you enjoy, you can use peppermint extract in the cake and the frosting. Or just use vanilla extract in the cake.
- Store any uneaten cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure dish is covered.
- This cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just make sure to store in an airtight container.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOOF THE POST)
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- cocoa powder
- baking soda
- salt
- vegetable oil
- milk
- vanilla (or peppermint) extract
- large eggs
- salted butter
- powdered sugar
- heavy cream
HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CAKE:
To make the cake:
Preheat oven to 350° F and spray a 9”x13” pan with nonstick cooking spray, set aside. In a large bowl whisk together all the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt) until combined.
Add in the remaining wet ingredients (oil, milk, vanilla or peppermint extract and eggs) and mix with an electric hand mixer (or a stand mixer) beat until everything is blended and smooth.
Pour into the prepared baking pan and bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
To make the frosting:
Add the softened butter to a medium sized bowl and with an electric hand mixer, beat until smooth.
Stir in powdered sugar (one cup at a time) until blended.
Beat in the vanilla (or peppermint) extract and 1 tablespoon of the heavy cream at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
Spread on top of cooled cake and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy (if desired.)
Store any leftover cake in the refrigerator.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES? GIVE THESE A TRY!

Chocolate Peppermint Cake
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- ⅔ cups cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla (or peppermint) extract
- 2 large eggs
For the frosting:
- 1 cup salted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 3-4 tbsp heavy cream
- crushed peppermint candy (optional)
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat oven to 350° F and spray a 9”x13” pan with nonstick cooking spray, set aside.
To make the frosting:
- Spread on top of cooled cake and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy (if desired.)
- Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Check to make sure your baking soda is fresh. Usually if baking soda has been opened and is over 6 weeks old – it’s time to get new baking soda.
- In cake recipes, I like to use whole milk or 2% fat milk. If you use skim milk or milk substitutes, I can’t guarantee that the texture and moistness will come out correct.
- Depending on how much peppermint flavor you enjoy, you can use peppermint extract in the cake and the frosting. Or just use vanilla extract in the cake.
- Store any uneaten cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure dish is covered.
- This cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just make sure to store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
I used VANILLA Extract in the cake, only 1 TSP. of PEPPERMINT Extract in the frosting , 3 TSP. of Heavy Cream for the Frosting also ! Didn’t skimp on the Crushed Candy Canes on top !
This cake was just right for a finishing to my dinner on Christmas ! EXCELLENT !
Thank – You <3
I love hearing that! Thanks so much Donna!
The cake is to die for!I loved the cake and it was very easy to make.Thanks for the recipe!You are the best!
Looks good and will make it during the holidays.
Hope you love it Sandy!