Layered Peppermint Pound Cake Food

PEPPERMINT LAYER CAKE WITH CANDY CANE FROSTING

Steps:

• Make the cake: Position racks in the middle and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter three 8-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the parchment and dust with flour, tapping out the excess. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl. Combine the milk and the vanilla and peppermint extracts in a small bowl; set aside.
• Beat the butter in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in 1 cup sugar, then increase the mixer speed to high and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, until just combined. Scrape down the side of the bowl, then increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until smooth, about 5 more minutes.
• In a separate large bowl (using clean beaters), beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed until foamy. Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and continue beating until stiff, shiny peaks form, about 6 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whites into the batter in 3 additions until combined.
• Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake, switching the position of the pans about halfway through, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let the cakes cool 10 minutes in the pans, then run a knife around the edges and invert onto racks to cool completely. Peel off the parchment. (The cakes can be made up to 1 day ahead; wrap in plastic and store at room temperature.)
• Make the frosting: Fill a medium saucepan with 1 to 2 inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Combine the sugar, corn syrup, egg whites, 2 tablespoons water and the salt in a heatproof bowl and set over the saucepan (do not let the bowl touch the water). Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture registers 165 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 8 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan and beat with a mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat until fluffy and cool, about 4 more minutes. Add the vanilla and peppermint extracts and beat until combined, 1 more minute.
• Assemble the cake: Place 1 cake layer on a platter and spread 1 cup frosting on top; sprinkle with about 2 tablespoons crushed candy canes. Top with another cake layer, spread with 1 cup frosting and sprinkle with another 2 tablespoons crushed candy canes. Top with the final cake layer, then frost the top and side of the cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle more crushed candy canes on top.

SHORTCUT PEPPERMINT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of three greased 8-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper., Prepare cake mix batter according to package directions. Remove 1-1/3 cups batter to a small bowl; stir in 1 tablespoon cocoa, 1/4 teaspoon extract and if desired, 1/2 teaspoon food coloring until blended. , Transfer plain batter to prepared pans. Top with red batter. Cut through batter with a knife to swirl. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 15-18 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., Mix 1 cup frosting with remaining 1 tablespoon cocoa, 1/8 teaspoon extract and if desired, 1/2 teaspoon food coloring. Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1 cup plain frosting. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost sides of cake with remaining plain frosting. Spread red frosting over top of cake. Gently press baking chips into frosting on top of cake. Refrigerate leftovers.

PEPPERMINT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease 2 (8-inch) round cake pans with shortening and lightly flour, or spray with baking spray with flour.
• Make cake mix as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs and adding mint extract. Pour batter into pans. Bake as directed for 8-inch rounds. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely. Cut each cake layer horizontally to make 2 layers. (Mark side of cake with toothpicks and cut with long, thin serrated knife.)
• Tint 1 container frosting with red food color. Tint 1 cup frosting from second container with green food color. Leave remaining frosting white.
• Place 1 cake layer, cut side up, on serving plate; spread with half of red frosting to within 1/2 inch of edge. Top with second cake layer, cut side down; spread with green frosting. Top with third cake layer, cut side up; spread with remaining red frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread white frosting on top and side of cake. Freeze 1 hour.
• Place red and green round peppermint candies on bottom edge of cake. Break candy canes into large pieces; place in center of cake.

PEPPERMINT POUND CAKE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Grease and flour a bundt or tube pan.
• 2. In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer, cream the butter with the cream cheese until soft and fluffy. Add the sugar and cream until light. Add the egg yolks, one at a time, and beat well after each addition. Add the flour in stages, blending well after each addition (do not overbeat). Fold in the vanilla and peppermint.
• 3. In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until stiff, but not dry. Gently fold the egg whites into the cake batter, taking care not to deflate the mixture.
• 4. Bake the cake for 1 hour, 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

PEPPERMINT CREAM POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts. Combine flour and baking powder; add to creamed mixture alternately with whipping cream. Fold in candies., Transfer to a well-greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 1 to 1-1/4 hours. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely., In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla and salt. Stir in enough cream to achieve a drizzling consistency. Drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with additional candies. Refrigerate leftovers.

PEPPERMINT POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Grease and flour (or use baking spray) a bundt or tube pan.
• In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer, cream the butter with the cream cheese until soft and fluffy.
• Add the sugar and cream until light.
• Add the egg yolks, one at a time, and beat well after each addition.
• Add the flour in stages, blending well after each addition (do not overbeat).
• Fold in the vanilla and peppermint.
• In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until stiff, but not dry.
• Gently fold the egg whites into the cake batter, taking care not to deflate the mixture.
• Bake the cake for 1 hour, 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

PEPPERMINT POUND CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE PEPPERMINT BARK FROSTING

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Spray a 12-cup fluted tube pan (such as Bundt®) with baking spray; set aside.
• Beat softened butter in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on medium speed until creamy and light yellow in color, 4 to 6 minutes. Gradually add sugar, beating on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add eggs one at a time, beating just until combined.
• Alternately add flour and milk, beginning and ending with flour, beating on low speed after each addition until batter is just blended. Add vanilla extract and peppermint extract; blend just until incorporated.
• Transfer 1 cup of the batter into a small mixing bowl; stir in red food coloring.
• Pour 1/3 of the uncolored batter into the prepared pan. Dollop with 1/3 of the red batter. Top with remaining uncolored batter and dollop with remaining red batter. Tap the filled pan gently on the counter to release any air pockets. Use a long skewer or off-set spatula to swirl the batter slightly.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a long wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean, 1 hour 45 to 55 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then invert onto the rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.
• While the cake cools, beat softened cream cheese and butter in a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on medium speed until light and fluffy. Slowly add powdered sugar, a little at a time, mixing on low speed, until all the sugar is incorporated. Add milk and vanilla extract; beat until smooth and creamy.
• Drizzle frosting over the cooled cake. Sprinkle candies and peppermint bark over the frosting while it's slightly wet. Let stand for 20 to 30 minutes before slicing.

PEPPERMINT LAYER CAKE WITH M&M'S TREES

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Brush two 9-inch round cake pans with vegetable oil, line the bottoms with parchment, brush the parchment with oil, then dust lightly with flour, tapping out the excess. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl.
• Beat the vegetable oil and butter in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until combined. Add the granulated sugar and beat until light and creamy, about 4 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then beat in the extracts. Reduce the speed to low; beat in the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk. Increase the speed to medium high and beat until combined.
• Divide the batter between the cake pans. Tap them against the counter, then bake until golden brown and the cakes spring back when gently pressed, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 15 minutes in the pans, then remove the cakes to the rack, remove the parchment and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting: Beat the butter and salt in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the confectioners' sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating to combine after each addition. Beat in the extracts, then the milk, beating until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove 1 cup of the frosting to a small bowl.
• Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring. Let cool slightly, then stir the melted chocolate into the reserved 1 cup frosting along with the cocoa powder.
• Make the trees: Using a serrated knife, carefully saw off the wide ends of 3 of the sugar cones so all the cones are varying heights. Cover the outside of all 4 cones with a thick layer of the chocolate frosting. Press M&M'S into the frosting to cover completely.
• Put 1 cake layer on a cake stand or platter. Spread about 1 cup white frosting on the cake. Top with the second cake layer, then frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining white frosting. Arrange the trees on top. Lightly dust the trees with confectioners' sugar.

PEPPERMINT RIBBON CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare cake batter according to package directions. Transfer 1 cup to a small bowl; stir in the extract, food coloring and 1/2 cup crushed candies., Spoon 2 cups of remaining batter into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Carefully top with peppermint batter; do not swirl. Top with remaining plain batter., Bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely., Combine confectioners' sugar and milk; drizzle over cake. Sprinkle with remaining crushed candies.