Peppermint Candy Three Layer Cake

If you’re looking for a show-stopping winter holiday cake, Peppermint Candy Three Layer Cake is the recipe to make. Layers of wonderfully delightful, tender vanilla cake is topped with light peppermint frosting.

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The first time I had Peppermint Layer Cake I was in elementary school. My best friend brought a piece to school after the holidays. I thought it was the most unique, best-tasting cake I’d ever put in my mouth.

I was baking at the time, but mostly from a box mix or very simple recipes and didn’t know where to start making up an original recipe.

That recipe stayed on my mind, and years later when I knew my way around the kitchen better, I made my first Peppermint Layer Cake. As I’ve gotten better baking, this recipe has morphed into the one I’m sharing below. After many trials and tweaks, I think I finally hit it spot-on with this recipe.

Peppermint Candy Three Layer Cake

This cake is wonderfully moist with a fine, tender crumb. It’s lightly flavored with peppermint and isn’t a ‘loud’ overpowering flavor. The icing is rich, yet light. It’s sweet, but not overly sweet.

I recommend using clear vanilla so that your white. Traditional vanilla extract can change the color of your cake slightly.

Additionally, using just egg whites will ensure the cake is white. You can use whole eggs, but your layers will be yellow from the yolks.

More layer cakes you may like

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1. KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

2. Fat Daddio’s Anodized Aluminum Round Cake Pan, 8 Inches by 3 Inches

3. Silver Round Metal Cake Stand, 12-inch Diameter Top

4. Cake Carrier and Server with Locking Lid

5. Clear Vanilla extract

Peppermint Candy Three Layer Cake Recipe Notes

Store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

To make a 9×13 cake: Spray a 9×13 can pan with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the cake batter into the cake pan and bake at 350°F for 30- 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with dry crumbs.

Best Cream Cheese Frosting is great on the cake as well.

Freezing instructions: You may freeze the cake for up to 3 months, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature. The frosting will also freeze for up to three months, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature and mix well before frosting the cake.

Flour: You can use cake flour for this recipe. I highly recommend you sift the flour 1 or 2 times for this recipe.

5 from 2 votes

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Peppermint Candy Three Layer Cake

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

27 mins

Total Time

47 mins

 

If you’re looking for a show-stopping winter holiday cake, Peppermint Candy Three Layer Cake is the recipe to make. Layers of wonderfully delightful, tender vanilla cake is topped with light peppermint frosting.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American/Southern

Keyword: layer cake, vanilla cake, white cake recipe

Servings: 12 slices

Author: Paula

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour spooned & leveled
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 and 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup butter at room temperature
• 5 large egg whites at room temperature

For the Frosting

• 1/2 cup real butter
• 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
• 3 and 1/2 cups sifted then measured confectioners sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons whole milk or heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
• 8 ounces Cool Whip
• 4 or 5 candy canes or hard peppermint sticks crushed
• *optional assortment of peppermint candy for decorations

Instructions

To make the white cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray two 9-inch cake pans or 3 8-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray or coat with solid vegetable shortening.
   

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. 

3. In a measuring cup, combine the buttermilk, vanilla, and peppermint extract. Stir until well combined.

4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together the butter and sugar for about 4-5 minutes or until light and fluffy.

5. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter and sugar in three additions alternating with the buttermilk mixture beginning and ending with the dry ingredients on low speed. Mix in each addition until just combined, making sure not to over mix the batter.

6. In a separate clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks. Gently fold half of the egg whites into the batter, then fold in the remaining egg whites until just combined.

7. Pour the cake batter into the prepared cake pans and spread evenly. 

8. Bake at 350°F for 27-30 minutes (9-inch pans) or 25 to 27 minutes (8-inch pans) or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean or with dry crumbs. 

9. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes, then remove the cakes from the pans and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Frosting

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. 

2. With the mixer on low, slowly add the sugar. Add vanilla and milk. Mix until smooth. Stir the crushed peppermint to the mixture by hand.

3. Divide the Cream Cheese Frosting into two equal parts. To 1/2 of the frosting fold in 8 ounce Cool Whip whipped cream.

4. You will frost BETWEEN the layers with the cream cheese frosting with peppermint.

5. Frost the OUTSIDE of the cake with the cream cheese frosting with the Cool Whip added to it. 

6. Decorate the cake with candy canes and peppermint. Keep refrigerated.

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