Mint cake

Mint Cake – A Delicacy for Celebration

I present to you a recipe for mint cake that will not only delight your taste buds but also add a touch of magic to any celebration! This recipe was lovingly created to celebrate Livia's 8th birthday, the first granddaughter in the family. Happy birthday, Livia! Our cake is a perfect balance between fluffy sponge, decadent chocolate mint cream, and elegant decoration. Whether it’s an anniversary, a party, or simply a family evening, this cake will surely be the star of the table.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients

*For the sponge:*
- 6 eggs
- 150 g sugar
- 150 g flour
- 3 tablespoons cold water

*For the cream:*
- 300 g cooking chocolate
- 2 packets of whipped cream powder (or 300 ml heavy cream)
- 1 tablespoon mint powder
- 2 tablespoons mint liqueur (ideally homemade)

*For the syrup:*
- 200 ml water
- 5 tablespoons sugar
- mint essence (Dr.Oetker)

*For the frosting:*
- Whipped cream (amount as desired)
- A few drops of green food coloring

Step by Step

1. *Preparing the sponge*
Start by separating the eggs, placing the egg whites in a large bowl and the yolks in another. Using a mixer, beat the yolks with the sugar until you achieve a pale, fluffy cream. It’s important that the sugar is completely dissolved to avoid crystals in the mixture. Add the 3 tablespoons of cold water and mix vigorously.

2. In another bowl, beat the egg whites with a pinch of salt until they form stiff peaks. This will give the sponge volume and a light texture. Gently fold the egg whites into the yolk mixture using a spatula, making vertical movements to avoid losing air.

3. Sift the flour over the mixture and continue to gently mix. This will ensure a fluffy and even sponge. Pour the mixture into a cake pan lined with baking paper.

4. Bake the sponge in a preheated oven at 180°C for 30 minutes or until golden and passes the toothpick test. Let it cool completely on a rack.

2. *Preparing the cream*
In a double boiler, melt the cooking chocolate cut into cubes. Ensure that the water in the double boiler does not boil, so the chocolate does not burn. Once the chocolate is completely melted, add the mint liqueur and mix gently. Let the mixture cool slightly.

3. In another bowl, whip the cream until firm. Gently fold half of the whipped cream into the cooled chocolate mixture. Add the mint powder and mix well, being careful not to overwhip.

3. *Preparing the syrup*
In a small pot, combine the water and sugar and heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Let the syrup cool slightly, then add the mint essence.

4. *Assembling the cake*
Once the sponge has cooled, cut it into two equal layers. Soak each layer with the mint syrup, being careful not to soak them too much. Place one layer on a platter, add the chocolate mint cream, reserving 3 tablespoons for decoration.

5. Place the second layer on top and cover the cake with the remaining whipped cream. Ensure it is smooth and beautiful. From the reserved 3 tablespoons of whipped cream, add a few drops of green food coloring to achieve a vibrant shade. Use a piping bag to decorate the cake with swirls of colored whipped cream.

6. *Decorating the cake*
Use mint cream chocolate tablets to decorate the edge of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for 1-2 hours so that the flavors combine perfectly.

Serving Suggestions
The cake can be served plain or with a warm chocolate sauce. An ideal drink to complement this delicious dessert would be green tea or an espresso, which will balance the sweetness of the cake. Additionally, vanilla ice cream will add a refreshing touch.

Nutritional Benefits
This mint cake offers a combination of carbohydrates from sugar and flour, proteins from eggs, and fats from chocolate and cream. Although it is a sweet dessert, when consumed in moderation, it can be a delightful part of a balanced diet.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use a different type of chocolate?
Of course! You can experiment with dark chocolate or milk chocolate, depending on your preferences.

2. How can I make the cake less sweet?
You can reduce the amount of sugar in the sponge or choose chocolate with a higher cocoa content, which is less sweet.

3. Can I replace the mint liqueur?
If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can use mint essence or omit the liqueur altogether.

4. What other variations can I try?
You can add pieces of nuts or almonds to the sponge for a crunchy texture or experiment with citrus flavors in the cream.

Creating this cake is not just a culinary activity but also an opportunity to create beautiful memories with loved ones. I hope this recipe inspires you to unleash your creativity and bring smiles to your loved ones' faces! Enjoy!