Mint Chocolate Chip Cake
This Mint Chocolate Chip Cake features three layers of decadent chocolate cake covered by a delicious mint green frosting. Grab a slice for dessert tonight!
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Last week, we were digging into how brunch came to be. If you missed that post, definitely check it out…and grab the super delicious recipe for Blueberry Streusel Cake while you’re there! Let’s shift our focus from brunch to dessert though. It turns out that Tujague’s, the restaurant/bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans that came up with the idea of brunch also invented another iconic recipe. The Grasshopper.
While the Hurricane is far and away the most popular of New Orleans’ cocktails, the Grasshopper has it’s roots in the Big Easy, too. According to legend, Philibert Guichet, the owner of Tujague’s, invented the Grasshopper in 1918 for a cocktail competition in New York City. His drink finished in 2nd place, and people soon began flocking to the bar to get a taste. They never stopped flocking. The Grasshopper remains a popular drink at the Tujague’s bar. Also, I want to name our next dog Philibert.
Technically a Grasshopper is a cocktail made with crème de menthe, crème de cocoa and a bit of heavy cream. (Tujague’s also floats a bit of brandy on top of their modernized version.) However, I’ve seen the term ‘grasshopper’ used to describe all sorts of drinks and desserts that combine the flavors of mint and chocolate. I thought briefly about calling this Mint Chocolate Chip Cake a “Grasshopper Cake.” However, I decided to stay pure with the flavors as it’s more descriptive. Plus, in the words of Robbie, “Why would you make a cake out of grasshoppers?” Legit questions from a 3-year-old.
Mint Chocolate Chip Cake
Mint Chocolate Chip CakeMint chocolate chip ice cream has long been one of my favorite flavors, and this Mint Chocolate Chip Cake channels the same vibes. A moist chocolate cake covered in a creamy minty frosting. And the mini-chocolate chips studded throughout? A requirement! You know what’s crazy, though? There is only 1/2 teaspoon of mint extract in this entire cake. The whole 3-layer cake with frosting uses only 1/2 teaspoon of mint extract. That stuff is potent! I swear that bottle in my pantry will last a lifetime.
Laura has never been a huge fan of mint chocolate chip anything, so this Mint Chocolate Chip Cake is safe around here. Robbie and I shared a slice on the night that I baked it, and then I wrapped up the other pieces for the freezer. I suspect it will slowly make appearances on Saturday evenings this summer while I sit back and sip on a glass of bourbon. I have no idea why Laura steers clear of mint chocolate desserts. After all, you get a delicious dessert and you don’t have to brush your teeth that night. That’s a win-win in my book. (Kidding!) I hope you enjoy a slice of this Mint Chocolate Chip Cake as much as Robbie and I do!
Did you make this Mint Chocolate Chip Cake? Leave a comment. Or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog). Cheers!
Looking for more delicious cake ideas? Check out these other favorites:
Southern Pecan Praline Cake
Fresh Strawberry Cake Roll
Charleston Coconut Cake
Maple Walnut Cake
Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake
Mint Chocolate Chip Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1½ cups boiling water
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ Tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3 large egg yolks
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
For the Frosting
- 1½ cups unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp milk
- 4-5 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- green gel food coloring
- 1½ cups mini chocolate chips divided
Instructions
For the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease or spray (3) 9” round baking pans. Line the bottom of each pan with parchment paper.
- Using a medium bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and boiling water until smooth; set aside.
- Using a large bowl, add flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt; whisk until well combined.
- Add eggs, egg yolks, vegetable oil, sour cream and vanilla; whisk until well combined.
- Finally, add the cocoa powder and hot water mixture to the bowl in several additions, whisking well between each addition.
- Divide batter evenly into baking pans; tap pans lightly on countertop to release any air bubbles.
- Bake at 350°F for 25-27 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in pan for 15 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack until completely cool. (Note: Remove parchment paper from bottom of cakes when transferring them to the cooling rack.)
For the Frosting
- Using a countertop mixer, beat butter on medium speed until light and fluffy (~3 minutes).
- Add vanilla extract, milk and powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition.
- Add salt, peppermint extract and several drops of green gel food coloring (start with just a couple drops and add more as needed); mix until well combined. (Note: If you desire a looser frosting, add an additional ½ Tbsp milk. For a thicker frosting, add an additional ½ cup of powdered sugar.)
- Stir in ¾ cup mini chocolate chips. (The remaining chocolate chips will be used to garnish top of cake.)
To Frost Cake
- Place one layer of cake on large platter. Spread ~¾ cup of frosting on top. Repeat with 2nd and 3rd layers of cake. Use remaining frosting on top and sides of cake.
- Garnish top of cake with remaining mini chocolate chips.
Hi David! Mint chocolate chip ice cream is one of my favorites.
This cake is a really decadent dessert, one that I would love! Yes, mint extract is very potent! I used to order a Grasshopper pie every Christmas years back when I lived in MI. This would be a great addition on St. Patrick’s Day, don’t you think?
Ohhh, I love a good grasshopper pie, too, Dorothy! This cake is now sliced and wrapped up in our freezer ready for weekend nights. 🙂 I’m thinking it’s safe to hang out in the freezer a bit longer while I whip up a grasshopper pie! And, yes, this would be a great one for St. Patrick’s Day, too! Thanks so much, my friend!
Ok, like, so many things. Firstly, mint chocolate is one of my fave combos ever. Secondly, I know, right?! Grasshopper is such a funny name for a cocktail. It reminds me of The Big Bang Theory. Remember that was one of the characters go-to drink? Not sure if you watched that show, but we watched it A LOT. Like, multiple times, lol. Thirdly, shall I expect a piece of cake or, er, a full cake?? Seriously, though, this looks seriously good, David!! It’s mid afternoon and totally wishing I had some with a cuppa coffee to perk me up. Hope you have a lovely weekend ahead, my friend!
I love a good mint chocolate chip ice cream cone, so I figured why not turn that into a cake! So I never got into Big Bang Theory, but I do enjoy watched reruns. We’re starting to run out of shows (also time to watch them), so I might have to add that one in. 🙂 I’ve got this cake sliced up and frozen, so I could easily slip a slice up to you. Just let me know when you’ll be home! Haha! Thanks so much, Dawn!
I was watching a cooking show the other day and a pair of contestants made a taco with crickets. I don’t want to eat that any more than I want to eat a cake made with grasshoppers so Robbie and I are on the same page :). However, I’d eat several slices of this gorgeous cake! I love chocolate and mint together!
Uhhh, what!? Kelsie! Cricket tacos? No thank you very much. However, the term ‘grasshopper’ is a bit odd. Oh well. Laura and Robbie didn’t care for this cake, so that just means more for me! I’ll send you a slice if you’d like? 🙂
I am like Laura, I don’t like mint flavored anything but my son likes it. Your cake looks great, enjoy it.
Thanks so much, Gerlinde! I agree with you that mint can be a bit of a polarizing flavor in desserts. I personally like it, but I still have to be in the mood for it. This cake is now all sliced up and frozen for nights when I’m craving a good chocolate mint dessert! 🙂
Yum! Mint and chocolate just goes so well, doesn’t it? I love the fun colour of this cake! It is really striking and definitely appetising 🙂 Delicious!
Mint and chocolate really are a fun (and tasty) combination, Alexandra! This cake is a fun twist on one of my favorite ice cream flavors! 🙂
I’ve never tried the Grasshopper, but it sounds so delicious (Unlike Laura, we do like mint and the combo of mint and chocolate). So in case you need to make this cake disappear from your freezer quickly, you know my address:)
This layer cake looks and sounds beautiful, too. It’s perfect, but I think it can be even better. As a huge fan of super moist cakes, I think you can apply some Irish cream soak on each layer. What do you think of this?
So if you like mint + chocolate, then you definitely need to try the Grasshopper drink. Then you need to make this Grasshopper Cake! (Or I can just mail you a couple slices…let me know when you’ll be home to get them. Haha!) Also, I think soaking some Irish cream into this cake would be a fun idea for sure. In fact, that would be a great way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day next year!
When ordering ice cream, I always get mint chocolate chip. It’s one of my favorites. I’m sure this cake would rank right up there as one of my faves. That green frosting is an attention grabber, and definitely says “mint”I’m glad to hear there’s no grasshoppers in this cake! 😉
Cheers to favorite ice cream flavors, Kathy! 🙂 That was the primary inspiration behind this cake, and I’ve gotta say that it turned out quite well. However, I’m always shocked at how potent peppermint extract is! And, yes, I avoided adding grasshoppers to this cake. Maybe next time. Haha!
mint is something I have o think twice before using but I tried mint chocochip icecream recently and I love that. So yeah, I can proudly count myself in for this choco chip cake with mint frosting experiment 🙂
Also, love the texture of your butter cream..
have a great weekend ahead David!
So mint chocolate chip ice cream was the primary inspiration behind this cake, Priya. If you like the ice cream flavor, then I’m gonna say you’d like this cake, too! 🙂 Thanks so much, my friend. I hope you had a great weekend, too!
I saw this in one of the Tribes Groups I’m a member of and pinned it yesterday. Yum. Mint and chocolate is one of my favourite sweet combinations. Ha ha I can understand Robbie not wanting to call the cake a “Grasshopper Cake”, but do you think he would be interested in eating Grasshoppers are we did when we were in Uganda? They were deep fried and delicious! Hope you guys have an amazing weekend.
Thank you so much for pinning this one, Neil! I truly appreciate that. 🙂 So I’m going to go way out on a limb and say Robbie wouldn’t touch actual grasshoppers. He wouldn’t touch this cake because he THOUGHT grasshoppers were in it…and normally he’d be all about chocolate cake. Oh well…more for me. Thanks so much, my friend, and I hope y’all had a great weekend, too!
Growing up, mint chocolate chip ice cream was my favorite, so you know this cake is calling my name!! Love that Robbie has an opinion on the name…I love how literal kids are.
Hey, I can’t blame Robbie one bit on the name. I wouldn’t even try (like not one bite) of Turtle Cheesecake as a kid because I thought it (1) involved turtles and (2) included cheese. (I mean it does include cheese…but not Cheddar like I thought when I was a kid.) Haha! Thanks, Marissa!
I love Robbie’s question LOL but won’t it be really fun to place this cake on a party table cake and name it “Grasshopper Cake”! People might go “really” and you say “you won’t even know”
Haha! You’re totally right, Kankana. This would be a fun one to put on the table and just grin when guests ask you for the recipe. 🙂 Thanks so much, my friend!
I love grasshoppers (the drink). And I totally understand you about the a-little-goes-a-long-way with the extract. When it comes to frozen cake, though, you’re totally speaking my language. I love frozen chocolate cake right out of the freezer. This is a great-looking cake, David!
So we freeze slices of the cake mainly to save them for weekends (and to make sure we don’t eat an entire cake in a few nights). Normally we let those slices thaw out, but now I’m thinking I might have to try this cake frozen. Excellent idea, Jeff! If you’d like a frozen slice, just let me know. I’ll send one your way! 🙂
Everyone in my house LOVES chocolate mint. This would definitely not be safe around here — it would last 2 days, tops. Sounds so delicious and decadent.
Haha! I totally know what you mean about desserts magically disappearing. 🙂 Fortunately, I’m the only one here who likes chocolate-mint. Laura doesn’t love mint, and Robbie thinks there are grasshoppers in the cake. I have the extra slices frozen and waiting for weekend evenings!
David, such a great flavor combination! Decadent and refreshing at the same time. So cool to learn the origin of the Grasshopper name. Has Robbie ever seen a Cricket Lick-it lollipop? It would be perfect with a grasshopper cake! 🙂
Cricket Lick-It? I can’t say that Robbie has seen one of those, and to be honest I can’t say that I’ve seen one either. However, I suspect I know what this lollipop is, and I suspect I wouldn’t eat one for a million bucks! (Ok, maybe a million bucks…but you get the point. Haha!) Thanks so much for the kind words here, Kelly! This cake really is a fun one. 🙂
Well now I want a grasshopper cocktail and a slice of this cake! Chocolate + mint is usually a winner in my book. Oh, New Orleans’ Hurricanes… I have hilarious stories from the night I didn’t realize just how dangerous they are & how quickly they sneak up on you! 😉
Hah! Now that would be a great pairing. A grasshopper cocktail with a slice of this cake. Yum! Put that one on the list for once Lil Nicole is born! 🙂 And, yes, those Hurricanes can sneak up on ya fast. Glad your stories are hilarious instead of the other way around. Thanks, Nicole! Hope you guys had a great long weekend!
oh my david. you’re killing me here. i am seriously drooling over this cake. mint and choc – a winning combo! cheers sherry
Thanks so much, Sherry! This cake was totally inspired by one of my favorite ice cream cone flavors. 🙂 Cheers, my friend!
David, that’s one green cake indeed. I actually had my first and I think my last Grasshopper drink in the French Quater many years ago and as best I remember you pretty much nailed the color.
I think an alternate name could be the Green Hornet cake. A cake with superpowers…
Green Hornet Cake? Hmmm…I wonder what the superpower here would be? It makes me immediately happy? And then it makes you want a nap? 🙂 Haha. Thanks so much, Ron!
Thank you for this wonderful recipe, David! I love this cake. It is moist and delicious. I made it yesterday for my guests and this was a hit! Everyone loved it and I had so many requests for the recipe. I’m going to make it again for my 6 year old daughter birthday next week. Pinning!
Hey Annette! Wow, I’m so glad this cake was such a hit. This one was inspired by one of my favorite ice cream flavors, so I figured it should work in cake form, too. I really appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment. Also, happy (early?) birthday to your daughter! My birthday is coming up next week, so we’re pretty close to each other there!
Haha – at least Robbie is 3 so his grasshopper in cake comment is understandable- I was in college when I wondered why hummingbirds would be used in hummingbird cake! I have no viable explanation so moving on…
Dude, I’ve been drooling over this every time I saw it on social! This looks phenomenal ! I would so love a slice of this this evening- though, ooh could you imagine if the chocolate cake was soaked with some crème de menthe, and crème de cocoa?!?! Though then Robbie won’t be able to have any 🙁
Hoping y’all are having a wonderful weekend!
Haha! I totally get it, Shashi. Hummingbird Cake. Grasshopper Cake. Turtle Cheesecake. These things don’t make sense. But they are delicious! 🙂
And now you’re making me want to bake another one of these cakes. Soaking it in creme de menthe? Yes, please! Robbie wasn’t going to touch this cake anyways thanks to the name, so a little boozy cake sounds like a great idea. We did indeed have a great weekend…I hope you and Lil Shashi did, too!