Dazzle your friends and family with this simple and delicious Holiday Peppermint Cake! It just may become a holiday tradition!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Torani. The opinions and text are all mine.
Peppermint Cake
Okay, I admit it … I’m pretty much over all things pumpkin (let me clarify – except the mandatory pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving!) I’m ready to leave pumpkin treats behind and make all things peppermint and gingerbread! Who is with me?!
I love Torani Flavored Syrups to dress up my coffee and other drinks. Have you seen the new Easy Pour Spout?
I decided to take one of my favorite holiday cakes and infuse it with Torani Flavored Syrups! A few years ago, I made this exact cake, but the cake part was just a plain white cake mix … I decided to kick it up a notch with the addition of 1/2 cup of Torani Peppermint Flavored Syrup. I am so glad I did!
This Holiday Peppermint Cake has become a holiday favorite – we look forward to it every year! We really love that extra bit of flavor that comes from the peppermint syrup! Although we love this with white cake, you can mix it up with a chocolate cake. Make it the same way for a chocolate-mint treat your friends and family will love!
This Holiday Peppermint Cake will easily become the star of your holiday meal! People are often surprised when I tell them this starts with a boxed cake mix. I’ve given this recipe out more times than I can count! Be sure to have the recipe on hand because people will ask for it!
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Holiday Peppermint Cake
Ingredients
For the cake
- 1 box white cake mix 15.25 oz.
- ½ cup water
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup Torani Peppermint Flavoring Syrup
For the frosting
- ½ cup butter, softened 1 stick
- 3 ¾ cups powdered sugar
- 3 – 4 tablespoons milk or water
- 2 teaspoons pure peppermint extract
Additional ingredients
- Crushed peppermint candy canes
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans; set aside.
- Place the dry cake mix in a large mixing bowl. Add water, vegetable oil, eggs, and Torani Peppermint Syrup. Mix until well combined. Pour into prepared pans
- Bake 20-25 minutes until cake tester comes out clean.
For the frosting:
- Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, using 3 tbsp. milk or water.
With an electric mixer, beat the ingredients on medium speed until well combined and fluffy. Only add the additional tablespoon of milk or water if frosting seems too thick. - Frost cake.
Additional Instructions:
- Gently press the crushed candy cane pieces into the side and onto the top of the cake.
Notes
- Frosting should always be made with butter, NOT margarine!
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
I have to make this cake, it's not only gorgeous but it looks so delicious! Pinned!
I'm with you too! I love anything pumpkin but my real weaknesses are peppermint and gingerbread. Just the smell takes me back to my childhood…such precious memories. Can't wait to make this peppermint cake for Christmas — it looks divine!! 🙂
This cake is dazzling me all right! I love all that gorgeous peppermint, and the flavor must be amazing!
This is such a great idea. I would try this as cupcakes too!
Have you tried with Chocolate cake mix?
So gorgeous! I love the peppermint-so festive!
I totally need this cake!
This looks glorious! Just perfect for holiday entertaining!
Any changes if a chocolate cake mix is used instead?
I made this twice already. I added butter to my cake batter and only used mint extract in the icing. It's delicious! The next day the peppermint dissolved into the icing reminding me of the soft peppermint candy.
I added a tsp of vanilla to the frosting and it made it even better!
Thank you
Can you make cupcakes
Hi Sheryl!
That’s a great question! Yes, you can make cupcakes out of this recipe. You would make everything the same – but bake them in the muffin cups for about 15-20 minutes.
I hope you enjoy the recipe!
-Jamie
I can not find the peppermint syrup in any stores around me, can I use peppermint extract in the cake and if so how much?
Hi Nita!
I would use 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract in place of the syrup. Enjoy!
-Jamie
I made my own peppermint syrup. Bring one cup of water and sugar to a boil. Turn heat to medium and continue boiling 4-6 mins. stirring throughout. Remove from heat and add one teaspoon of peppermint extract. Stir and let cool. Store in mason jar or other air tight container. Can keep refrigerated up to 2 weeks. I plan to use the leftover for coffee and hot chocolate.
You might try a coffee shop for the syrup. I used to buy it there before I was able to find it in stores.
World Market carries a large variety of these syrups
Amazon has it
About how many candy canes?? 1 box or more? Thanks
How should this cake be stored? Will it hold up if I make it the day before?
I really want to make this. Could I substitute cream cheese for the butter in the frosting?
I made this for Christmas; it wasdelicious.
I made extra icing with a little vanilla added. I also use mint extra, the recommended amounts in the comments- very good. Lastly, I find candy canes to be too intense so I didnt add as much as in the pic… I also pounded most of it down into a dust, which I liked better. If I made this again, I turn all the candy to dust and dust the cake. It still looks really great.
Making this very soon! It looks amazing! I couldn’t find any of the syrup in stores so I called a nearby Starbucks and bought some from them! Also I plan to crush up some Hershey’s candy cane kisses and use those as a substitute for the candy canes 🙂
I’ve made this cake a couple of times and I found that the baking time needs to be longer as the cake is still raw in the middle.
I’m wondering of baking at lower temperature for longer so top isn’t too over cooked
Can I just make this in a 13 x 9 cake pan
Yes! You may need to adjust the baking time, however.
Can I use chocolate cake mix instead of white cake mix?
Sure.
Looks great so had to try it.
Won’t allow me to upload a photo of the finished pruduct
It was a nice cake but way too sweet. I’ll have to cut the sugar in the frosting next time.
I just made this cake it was really good!!!
Can’t wait to try this cake it looks so amazing . I bought my syrup thru Amazon.
Hi, I found this on Pinterest and I cannot wait to make it. Such a great idea!
Can I just use store bought frosting and add the peppermint extract?
I plan on making this today for my women’s sock/slipper exchange gathering today at my church
“The Shift” in Albany Oregon. My daughter found this recipe & wants me to make it for her as well.
I sooo want (need) to make this cake, but I can’t find the peppermint syrup. What can, should we do to replace it? Please respond ASAP bc I really want to make it!! Thank you! 😊
Most big box grocery stores carry it. You can also sometimes buy just a bottle of syrup from your local Starbucks. Amazon is a great place to find it, too – but obviously, you will have to account for shipping time. I hope this helps!
I made my own and it worked great. Boil 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar together for a few minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tsp of peppermint extract. Store in an airtight mason jar for a couple weeks. Also leftovers are good in coffee and tea.
I wanted to make this years ago but could never find the syrup. I just found a large syrup at Homegoods and also a smaller one at Harris Teeter. Can’t wait to try it!
This looks so good.
As a side note I have been making cakes for over 3 decades and actually prefer certain margarines over butter in my frosting!! ☺️
☺️