Ingredients
- For the Chocolate Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup hot water
- For the Mint Cheesecake:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- Green food coloring (optional)
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder in a bowl.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream, starting and ending with dry ingredients.
- Gradually add hot water, mixing on low until smooth. Divide batter between pans.
- For cheesecake: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and mix until creamy.
- Add eggs one at a time, then peppermint extract and food coloring (if using). Fold in mini chocolate chips.
- Spoon cheesecake mixture over cake batter in each pan and gently spread.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, until cheesecake is set and cake springs back to the touch.
- Cool cakes in pans for 15 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For ganache: Heat cream until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate. Let sit, then stir until smooth. Mix in peppermint extract.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Pour half the ganache over it.
- Top with the second layer and pour remaining ganache over, letting it drip down sides.
- Chill cake for at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for smooth mixing.
- Don’t overmix the cheesecake layer to keep it light.
- Ganache should be cool and thick enough to control the drip effect.
- Chill the cake well for clean slicing.
- Food coloring is optional and doesn’t affect taste.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 52g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 23g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
