Peppermint Swirl Red Cake (Printer-friendly)
Vibrant red swirled cake with mint flavor, perfect for festive occasions and gatherings.
# What You Need:
→ Cake Batter
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
05 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 3 large eggs
07 - 1 cup whole milk
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
→ Swirl & Color
10 - Red gel food coloring
→ Frosting
11 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
12 - 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
13 - 2 to 3 tablespoons whole milk
14 - 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
15 - Pinch of salt
→ Decoration (optional)
16 - Crushed peppermint candies
17 - Additional red food coloring for frosting swirl
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and lightly flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
03 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; then mix in vanilla and peppermint extracts.
05 - Gradually add flour mixture and milk alternately to the butter mixture, starting and ending with flour; mix until just combined.
06 - Divide batter evenly; tint one portion with red gel food coloring until vibrant.
07 - Spoon alternating dollops of plain and red batter into the pan. Use a skewer or knife to gently swirl together, avoiding overmixing.
08 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
09 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, peppermint extract, and salt. Beat until smooth and fluffy.
10 - Tint a small portion of frosting with red food coloring and fold gently for a swirl effect before spreading.
11 - Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake. Decorate with crushed peppermint candies if desired. Slice and serve.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The peppermint and red swirl make it look like you spent hours decorating, but it's honestly just playful marbling that feels effortless.
- That refreshing mint flavor cuts through richness perfectly, so even after a big meal, a slice somehow feels light.
02 -
- Cold batter ingredients will sabotage you—take your butter and eggs out an hour before you start mixing, or you'll end up with a cake that's dense and doesn't rise properly.
- That skewer swirl is an art, not a science; go too hard and you lose the distinction between red and white, and the whole visual effect disappears into murky pink.
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients are everything—they emulsify properly and give you that tender, cloud-like crumb that makes people wonder how you're so talented.
- The skewer swirl takes a light hand; imagine you're writing in soft butter rather than trying to mix everything together, and your marbling will look magazine-worthy.