A Southern Grace: you were mint for me

January 12, 2012

you were mint for me

Yum

One of the most prevalent flavor combinations on this blog is chocolate and mint, and there's a very specific reason for that--I love it.


The refreshing breeze from the mint seems to perfectly complement the rich depths of chocolate, regardless of the vehicle in which they're traveling.

This vehicle is particularly decadent. There's chocolate everywhere and in three different forms. The foundation is a moist and fluffy cocoa-based chocolate cake that's coated in an amazing white chocolate buttercream frosting (s. woon.) and filled with clouds of mint-flavored chocolate mousse. Each bite is an exciting and enjoyable sensation.


If you're a fan of the marriage of chocolate and mint like I am, give this cake a try. It's magnificent enough for any occasion, even if said occasion is as trivial as, say, the sprouting of a new gray hair.

Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Mint Cake
one recipe of your favorite chocolate cake

Chocolate-Mint Mousse Filling:
6 oz semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon mint extract

White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:
1 cup butter, softened
2 1/2-3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
6 oz good quality white chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Prepare your chocolate cake and bake it in two 9-inch round pans. Once cool, cut each round in half horizontally.

To prepare the mousse, carefully melt the chocolate and set it aside. Place the heavy cream and sugar in the well-chilled bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the chilled whisk attachment. Whisk on high-speed until stiff peaks form. Remove the bowl from the mixer. By hand, whisk to combine 1/4 of the whipped cream into the melted chocolate until smooth and completely incorporated. Add the combined whipped cream and chocolate to the remaining whipped cream and use a rubber spatula to fold together. Stir in the extract.

To prepare the frosting, put the chopped white chocolate into a small bowl and heat it in 30 second increments in the microwave. Stir after each increment, and continue to heat 30 seconds at a time until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Set aside and allow to completely cool. Cream the butter and add the sifted powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy and scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. With the mixer running on low speed, gradually pour the cream and vanilla into the bowl. Once the cream mixture has been incorporated into the frosting, fold in the melted and cooled white chocolate until incorporated. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high, and beat the frosting for an additional 3 minutes.

To assemble the masterpiece, slather the mousse between the halved layers (stacking as you go), then frost the sides and top in a decorative fashion. Chill for a bit to let things mingle, then slice and serve!

53 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

A very tempting cake! So beautiful.

Cheers,

Rosa

Alicia Foodycat said...

Wow. Just wow!

Becki's Whole Life said...

This looks really good! Chocolate and mint is a favorite flavor combo of mine, but I like that the frosting is white chocolate. I'm pinning this!

Joanne said...

After this...I'll never be able to make another chocolate cake again. In.Love.

Sue/the view from great island said...

Amazing, Grace. I bet you've heard that before ;)

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I will have to make do with "thin mints" and mint patties fir now but this does sound delicious.

Lyndas recipe box said...

Yum! I need this cake now....I'm having a chocolate craving today, and need a fix soon. Your cake is calling to me Grace-it's beautiful and decadent looking.

Hornsfan said...

So extravagant and tasty looking! Nw to find the occasion :) You knocked that flavor combo and cake out of the park Grace!

Melanie said...

You had me at chocolate-mint mousse. Seriously? Sounds incredible and as a fellow lover of chocolate and mint, I am in awe of this concoction!

Barbara said...

Your blog is also about cinnamon. Let's not forget cinnamon!! :)

And while I am not a big chocolate fan, I do love it with mint...especially peppermint. This is some kind of cake...very elegant, Grace!

Barbara said...

Your blog is also about cinnamon. Let's not forget cinnamon!! :)

And while I am not a big chocolate fan, I do love it with mint...especially peppermint. This is some kind of cake...very elegant, Grace!

Bunny said...

Now that is one magnificent cake Grace!

Mimi said...

Cinnamon!
While this cake sounds decadent and delicious, in my mind you and cinnamon as inseparable.
Mimi

Pam said...

Bookmarked for my husband and daughter. They both love the mint/chocolate combination. It looks beautiful Grace.

vanillasugarblog said...

gracie you were mint for me.
send that cake to me asap

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

Ooh yes the breeze from the mint and the richness of the chocolate. Please excuse me while I try and make something approximating this with what's in my pantry :P

Alexis @ There She Goes said...

this cake is taunting me right now! i ADORE mint + chocolate, and ooo to have a slice of this right now to start off my friday, that would be lovely :)

Jane said...

Good Lord--this looks heavenly! I adore the chocolate and mint combo, and I really like your comment about not needing a big occasion as an excuse to make this. ("Sprouting another gray hair?" That gives me a new cake making opportunity practically everyday!)

pam said...

I am sooooo with you on the whole chocolate and mint thing!!

kimberleyblue said...

Whatacake! I too am in love with mint & chocolate (it's right behind orange & chocolate), and I love the layers in this cake. I think I have to make this one for my Dad's birthday...

Your post title is great, too.

Lisa-Marie said...

This might actually be the cake to end all cakes.

lisa is cooking said...

Chocolate, white chocolate, and mint all in one place is a place I want to be! Love the layers of mousse.

Faith said...

Now that is one gorgeous cake! I'm in love with all things chocolate and mint too, so me and that cake would get along just fine. ;)

Julie M. said...

I almost choked on my lunch when I read that last line. Your posts are always good for a smile. :) This cake, on other hand, is good for eating. Lots and lots of it if I have anything to say about it. Another wonderful recipe.

A Plum By Any Other Name said...

I've seen a few gray hairs come through. I probably need more mint and chocolate in my life, huh? ;)

LyB said...

Look at that cake! Woweeee! Now, if I made that kind of cake every time I spot a new gray hair, well, there wouldn't be enough hours in a day... ;)

Susan said...

That looks heavenly ... as I stand here reading my laptop in the kitchen eating a cup of hot rice pudding I just made. It's starting to taste to bland...LOL

~ Susan

Leslie said...

YOu come up with the most cleaver titles! Who isn't a fan of chocolate and mint??? Crazy people, thats who!

Unknown said...

Hubba Hubba!! and how cute are you with that title!!! Mint is a favorite of mine and this looks delicious!!

Robin said...

Oh my, you nailed it with this flavor combination! The frosting sounds and looks so good with this combo! Bravo!

Janet Rudolph said...

I looove chocolate & mint, and I can't wait to make this. Lovely photos, too!

Amy said...

I, too, am a big fan of chocolate and mint together. It's such a great combination. This cake looks scrumptious!

Lori said...

Its a thing of beauty, really! There is no better mate in my book than mint. Raspberry and peanut butter partners are a close second but mint is my tops. I would love this cake- I know it.

Gloria Baker said...

Look awesome, love this Grace!!

Hungry Dog said...

I am a chocolate 'n' mint fan too and this cake looks over the top gorgeous. nice job as usual!

Marjie said...

Sometimes I'll put a mint buttercream frosting on chocolate cake, but what everyone loves is yellow cake with mint-chocolate buttercream frosting. They'd probably love your beautiful layer cake, too. Count us as a family of chocolate/mint combination lovers!

foodhoe said...

what a delectable combination, buttercream is one of my favorite frostings. Such a beautiful looking slice!

~~louise~~ said...

Huge fan of Chocolate & Mint. A new gray hair, not so much:)

Stunning cake, Grace. The White Buttercream Frosting is the "icing on the cake."

Thank you so much for sharing...

Carolyn Jung said...

You can't go wrong with chocolate and mint, especially in the winter. The chocolate is so decadent and rich, and the mint a breath of freshness to wake up your palate for another big bite. ;)

Beth said...

With all of that chocolate, and a little bit of mint, how could it be anything but perfect?

Chef Fresco said...

That IS the stuff! Bookmarking for a potential bday cake for Michael. =)

vianney said...

i LOVE mint... I need this stat!! another winner!!

Three Generations said...

Yes, yes a great combinatin! Such a fantadtic looking cake...can't wait to try it!
Jennifer

The Blonde Duck said...

That looks like a Southern Living cover!

debbie refresh restyle said...

I am in love! what can I say! added you to my Google reader!
Debbie

Cara said...

If I let my blog focus on baking, I'm positive there would be plenty of mint and chocolate to go around in my kitchen to :)

oneordinaryday said...

What a beautiful cake, and I never can resist the combination of chocolate and mint.

Juliana said...

Awesome cake Grace...love the combination of mint and chocolate. Wish I could have a slice of it ;-)
Have a great week!

shaz said...

Oh my! Grace, that is indeed a delightfully decadent masterpiece!!! I love mint and chocolate too, especially mint patties :) The white chocolate frosting though is what's catching my eye, it looks dreamy.

peachkins said...

I am such a fan of chocolate mint too!

Deborah said...

I love absolutely everything about this!

The Blonde Duck said...

Voted!

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