Melt-In-Your-Mouth Mint Chocolate Cake.

December 6, 2010 · 106 comments

There is one fabulous thing about this cake that makes it better than every other cake: simplicity.

All you have to do is throw every ingredient into your food processor and whirl away. Dump it in the pan, set it in the oven, and go do your thing for an hour.


My thing includes not cleaning up the mess I’ve made in the kitchen, then later wondering why the kitchen is such a disgrace.

And tasting recipe ingredients for quality control purposes.

In case you’re wondering, yes, Mr. How Sweet is still living here even though this is the second chocolate + mint combo I have made in a week. But that’s only because I balance it out with chicken, steak, chicken fingers, eggs, and steak.  Otherwise, he’d be out.

Back away from the batter. Slowly.

Some batters and dough make my head spin.

This is one of them. I think it is a combination of the silky deliciousness and ease of recipe.

It comes out tasting like a rich, warm, dense peppermint pattie.

I love that this “cake” is technically a quick bread, because then I can compare it to banana bread and eat it for breakfast. Or for a “healthy” snack.

At least, I could do that until I decided to drip pure, melted dark chocolate on top. This was the best idea I’ve had since the cake batter bark. The chocolate slides down into the cracks and crevices of the loaf which leaves bits of chocolate inside the cake.


And it’s fabulous both warm and cold – just store it in the fridge and the chocolate hardens like fudge on top. You can gift this cake too – buy a few small/medium ceramic loaf pans, bake the cake, tie it up in a bow and give it as a hostess gift. You can never go wrong with chocolate.

I like to fatten people up.



Melt-In-Your-Mouth Mint Chocolate Cake

from Nigella

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup cocoa

1 1/3 cups sugar

1 1/2 sticks butter, at room temperature

2 eggs

1 tablespoon good-quality vanilla extract

1/3 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

1/2 cup boiling water

1/2 cup chocolate chips, tossed with flour

3/4 cups mint chips, tossed with flour

Preheat oven to 325.

In a food processor, add all ingredients except for boiling water, chocolate and mint chips, and blend. Once combined, stream in boiling water and blend until chocolate batter is smooth. Remove lid and blade, scraping off any excess batter. Toss chocolate and mint chips with flour (this prevents them from falling to the bottom), and fold into batter.

Spray loaf pan with cooking spray and pour in batter. Set loaf pan on a baking sheet and put in oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until cake is no longer jiggly. I baked mine for 60 minutes exactly. Let cake cool completely before removing it from pan.

Note: I used a 10 x 6 1/2 x 3 loaf pan.


Dark Chocolate Glaze

8 ounces dark chocolate (I used Lindt)

Melt chocolate in either the microwave or a double boiled and drizzle over cake.


I’m off to the dentist. I have no idea why I’d have to get a cavity filled. As soon as I come home, I’m sinking my teeth into this. It will feel so dirty.

{ 98 comments… read them below or add one }

The Blue-Eyed Bakers December 6, 2010 at 11:54 am

Not even 7am and we’re dying for a slice of this! Can we call it breakfast!? Chocolate and mint and delicious gooey sauce!? This is definitely getting made!

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Estela @ Weekly Bite December 6, 2010 at 11:55 am

Girl, you just continue to top yourself every week! These recipes keep on getting better and better! This looks AMAZING!!!

I wonder how this would taste with chopped up peppermint patties inside? Hmmmmm……..

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Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes December 6, 2010 at 11:56 am

Wow….quick+easy+chocolate+mint.(i obviously don’t share Mr. Sweet’s affliction! :) ) Can’t wait to try this out…I love how fast it comes together…sure will come in handy over the busy-ness of the holidays…Thanks again.
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes

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Amanda December 6, 2010 at 11:58 am

Oh my this looks amazing! I think I just found our family get together dessert! You rock!

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Erika @ FoodFitnessFun December 6, 2010 at 12:00 pm

That drippy chocolate did me in. ;-)

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Katrina December 6, 2010 at 12:03 pm

This cake looks heavenly!

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chelsey @ clean eating chelsey December 6, 2010 at 12:14 pm

That, my friend, looks absolutely sinful.

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Vanessa December 6, 2010 at 12:22 pm

That looks awesome. I love the chocolate and mint combo!!

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Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) December 6, 2010 at 12:30 pm

When you put it in the food processor, I wondered if it was based off a Nigella recipe. I love this cake and it’s simplicity! It looks delicious. Good luck at the dentist today!

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 2:15 pm

I love her recipes so much.

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Wei-Wei December 6, 2010 at 12:49 pm

The colour of mint chocolate chips never ceases to amaze me.

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Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg December 6, 2010 at 12:50 pm

I’m not a huge chocolate and mint fan, but Ryan LOVES that combo– I should bookmark this for his next birthday.

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 2:15 pm

You should, you should!

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Lauren at KeepItSweet December 6, 2010 at 1:03 pm

wow i’m drooling a little

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Suzanne @ Window On The Prairie December 6, 2010 at 1:05 pm

You know if I keep looking at your site I’ll get cavities. Looks so yummy. Suzanne

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 2:15 pm

I wish my cavities came from just “looking.”

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Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine December 6, 2010 at 1:24 pm

Oh mann. I love that it’s the holiday season so that I’ll soon have an excuse to make delicious things like this for my family…

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 2:14 pm

Soon? Start now!

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Heather December 6, 2010 at 1:26 pm

ok seriously, i am drooling and i have to say (sorry!) i’m on Mr. How Sweet’s side on the chocolate-mint combo!

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 2:14 pm

I don’t even know you anymore.

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Healthy Chocoholic December 6, 2010 at 1:26 pm

Deelish!!!!!! Where did you buy the peppermint extract???? I want to make homemade Thin Mints, but cannot find it anywhere! I also now want to make this.
P.S. Your recipes are wonderful….and are fattening me up….I’ve gained like a pound a week….will have to go clothing shopping soon, but I couldn’t be happier about it!= =D

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 2:14 pm

Bought it at my local grocery store! Which is surprising because they rarely have anything.
So glad you are liking the recipes!

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Chrissy December 6, 2010 at 1:36 pm

I invented a mint chocolate chip cake and it was a hit with everyone who tasted it. It was really simple- just a dark chocolate cake, mint frosting, and coated with mini chocolate chips.

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 2:14 pm

That sounds incredible!

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Krystina (Basil & Wine) December 6, 2010 at 1:43 pm

Those mint chips are so gloriously unnatural that I love them.

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 2:13 pm

I know. I love their beautiful artificial color so much.

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allison @ thesundayflog December 6, 2010 at 1:46 pm

welp, now i know what i’m giving as christmas gifts! i picked up the CUTEST ceramic mini loaf pans and couldnt decide what to fill them with. now i do. any idea how many mini loafs i will get from 1 batch?

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 2:13 pm

I can’t say for sure, but I would think at least 4? It depends on the size, since there are many sizes of “mini” pans.

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Liz @ Blog is the New Black December 6, 2010 at 1:48 pm

Ahhhhhhh, best idea EVER! Lloyd will go bananas if I make this.

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Kylie @ A Hungry Spoon December 6, 2010 at 2:01 pm

Oh this looks so good! I love mint chocolate :) And I can related to your “I like to fatten people up” comment–my co-workers always say that’s what I’m out to do with all the treats I make!

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 2:13 pm

We are mean.

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marla {family fresh cooking} December 6, 2010 at 2:05 pm

This mint cake looks awesome! Those green chips add great color for holiday backing :)

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brandi December 6, 2010 at 2:16 pm

oh no.

I think I know what has to be done today.

–> off to see if I still have my mint chips.

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Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat December 6, 2010 at 2:29 pm

I love simple recipes, and this one sound amazing! I’m also on a massive chocolate mint kick right now. Maybe the dentist will mistake the smell of chocolate mint on your breath for toothpaste? ;)

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Erica December 6, 2010 at 2:31 pm

Beautiful. I got Andes mint chips and made your double chocolate cookies yesterday with them. So good. Melt in your mouth good. Mint+chocolate…amazing together. I can only imagine them in cake form!

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Jenna December 6, 2010 at 2:44 pm

Way to get me drooling all over my keyboard on a Monday morning! I’m in love with the green chips, adorable!

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Karly December 6, 2010 at 2:52 pm

Oh my. My mint-loving daughter would go NUTS for this cake!

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Nourhan @ Miss Anthropist's Kitchen December 6, 2010 at 2:56 pm

I love those recipes where you just mix everything all together and dump them in a bowl! And I adore anything chocolate-mint (or is it supposed to be “mint chocolate”?)
I made some gorgeous chocolate mint brownies recently that have yet to be up on my blog. On top of the brownies is a green mint frosting that I covered with a chocolate glaze. It’s sooo deliciouss :)

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 6:37 pm

They sound divine.

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Corey @ the runner's cookie December 6, 2010 at 3:01 pm

Hahah hey the cavities are totally worth that cake. Your milkshake made me crave mint + chocolate the other day so I bought andes mints and make peppermint chocolate cookies…soo good. I bet this cake is to die for!

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 6:37 pm

I haven’t had Andes forever. I need to get some!

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Leah @ Why Deprive? December 6, 2010 at 3:14 pm

I love chocolate and mint together so much. This cake sounds awesome!

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Alaina December 6, 2010 at 3:27 pm

I could definitely make it a normal occurance to have chocolate in the morning!

I love giving baked goods for gifts. I made my in-laws a batch of oatmeal cookies and put them in a cookie jar for christmas last year. And I made my friend a banana bread for his birthday. :-) Ah, the joy of giving.

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 6:36 pm

I love them too!

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Camille December 6, 2010 at 3:32 pm

I love the green flecks! So pretty!

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Alecia December 6, 2010 at 3:41 pm

Alrighty now, enough with the mint and chocolate combination. While I love the two flavors, together…not so much.

Can’t wait to see your next recipe!

A

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Natalia - a side of simple December 6, 2010 at 3:43 pm

Thank you, Jessica. These will be reason # 54 why I just “need” new jeans for Christmas ;)

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Jenn L @ Peas & Crayons December 6, 2010 at 3:47 pm

Yummm! Girl you’re making me crave sugar daily with all this awesomeness! Thank god I post about veggies or it’d be a cake fiesta all day every day… wait… that doesn’t sound too bad =)

xoXOxo

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Jessie K December 6, 2010 at 4:12 pm

I can’t decide whether I should asking singing your praises or begging for mercy! I love, LOVE, lurrrrrrrrrrrrrrve chocolate and mint and together is even bettah! However! I need, NEED, neeeeeeeeeeed to go on a diet and recipes like this just kill whatever teeny tiny bit of willpower I have!

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the blissful baker December 6, 2010 at 4:32 pm

mmm that looks positively divine!!

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megan December 6, 2010 at 4:56 pm

Mmmmm, I might have to gift one of these! Looks terrific!

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Kat December 6, 2010 at 5:13 pm

holy crap that looks good. and you’re right – super simple. nwo if only i could get my husband to clean the oven for me

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 6:36 pm

My husband does the dishes, but I don’t know if he could do the oven.

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Steph@stephsbitebybite December 6, 2010 at 5:30 pm

Your goal to fatten people up is definitely working! I can feel the pounds coming on already :)

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 6:35 pm

Sorry… not.

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Rachel @ The Avid Appetite December 6, 2010 at 6:48 pm

I’m all about mint right now and this looks like the perfect way to get my fix…

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Cheryl December 6, 2010 at 7:01 pm

Amazing!! How do the two of you manage to eat any real food with all these amazing desserts!??

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Mary @ Bites and Bliss December 6, 2010 at 7:10 pm

Ohhh my goodness. This looks amazing. Simply amazing.

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Erin F December 6, 2010 at 7:16 pm

I aimlessly bought a bag of mixed dark chocolate and mint chips this weekend – now I think I know how I’ll be using them!

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Anna December 6, 2010 at 8:04 pm

I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!
I recently made the ‘better than crack brownies’ and you were right, they changed my life!:-)
This looks delicious, do you think it would still work with say peanut butter chips? and maybe some kind of substitution for the mint extract?

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 8:26 pm

Definitely! Just leave out the mint extract. You could do a peanut butter/chocolate glaze too!

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Miriam December 6, 2010 at 8:29 pm

Hope everything went well at the dentist, going there is the worst. Afterward you will definitely be deserving of serious chocolate. This cake looks perfect for that, but my love will not touch it with a ten foot pole either, and I’m unemployed so I have no easy place to bring leftovers to share. The sad conclusion is that I spend the day drooling over and dreaming about recipes on your amazing blog and others, then almost never bake anything. So I am living (eating) vicariously through you! Thanks!!

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Pretty. Good. Food. December 6, 2010 at 8:30 pm

What a perfect combo! Looks delicious, I’m definitely getting hungry :) !

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Diana @ frontyardfoodie December 6, 2010 at 8:35 pm

You should hire me for free to be your quality control manager….I’ll be there for every bit of chocolatey goodness!

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Victoria (District Chocoholic) December 6, 2010 at 9:28 pm

I think this is the first food-processor cake I’ve seen. Love.

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Megan (Braise The Roof) December 6, 2010 at 9:29 pm

Where did you find those mint chips? They look dangerous. Even the color of them makes me really happy.

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Jessica December 6, 2010 at 9:52 pm

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