#BundtBakers ~ Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake

#BundtBakers is a group of Bundt loving bakers who get together once a month to bake Bundts with a common ingredient or theme. You can see all our of lovely Bundts by following our Pinterest board. We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. Updated links for all of our past events and more information about BundtBakers, can be found on our home page.

Our hostess this month is Tara from Noshing with the Nolands who selected Hot Chocolate for our theme; and what a perfect theme! The days are getting cooler and warm drinks are often on my mind for a morning pick me up or an afternoon moment of relaxation... not that I get very may of those, but warm drinks sure help some days!

Check out all the beautiful hot chocolate themed cakes for today's reveal at all the links below:

• Autumn Spiced Pumpkin Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck
• Aztec Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake by I Sugar Coat It!
• Baileys Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake by Liv for Cake
• Bourbon Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake by Vintage Kitchen Notes
• Bourbon Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake by I Bake He Shoots
• Carob and Hot Chocolate Cake by A Kingdom for A Cake
• Chocolate and Tiffany's Bundtcake by La Mejor Manera
• Chocolate Chips Orange Bundt Cake by Basic N Delicious
• Hot Chocolate & Caramel Bundt Cake by I love Bundt Cakes
• Hot Chocolate Bundt with Godiva Glaze by Our Good Life
• Hot Chocolate Buttered Rum Bundt by The Crumby Cupcake
• Hot Chocolate Habanero Bundt Cake by Brunch with Joy
• Hot Chocolate Lavender Bundt Cake by Adventures in All Things Food
• Hot Cocoa Almond Bundt Cake by SimplyVeggies
• Irish Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake by From Gate to Plate
• Kahlua Drenched Dark Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake by Baking in Pyjamas
• Marshmallow Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake by Palatable Pastime
• Mocha Bundt Cake by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Nutella & Toffee Bundt Cake by Los Chatos Chefs
• Orange Pisco White Chocolate Bundt by Food Lust People Love
• Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake by Making Miracles
• Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cake by The Spiced Life
• Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate Bundt by Tartacadabra
• Toffee Chip Hot Chocolate Pound Cake by Magnolia Days
• White Hot Chocolate Peppermint Bundt by Noshing With The Nolands
• White Hot Chocolate Pound Cake by My Catholic Kitchen

This cake was so much fun - to make and to eat! I LOVED the pretty pink drizzle on the dark chocolate cake. It added a beautiful festive touch of color, and would be extra gorgeous sprinkled with crushed peppermints and mini-marshmallows. I didn't have either, so mine was kept pretty plain. I thought about doing a 2-tone drizzle half white and half pink which is another option.

My 2-year old had a great time "helping" when it was time to frost the cake. She kept reaching up and trying to put her finger in the ribbon of glaze as it came off the spatula.

She then proceeded to decorate herself with the pink frosting. She is so silly - and I think she's pretty dang adorable too. :)

The cake is wonderful. The dark chocolate base pairs very nicely with the peppermint flavoring, and I love the addition of the peppermint hot chocolate packets. The texture is very moist and a little crumbly, and the addition of the chocolate chips gives you a little extra texture and rich bites to discover as you enjoy the cake. This one is definitely a keeper, and would be a delicious addition to any holiday dessert table! And don't forget to serve with some delicious, creamy hot chocolate. :)

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake inspired by Land O Lakes

Ingredients
1 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 (15.25-ounce) package dark chocolate cake mix

2 packets dry peppermint hot chocolate mix (I used Archer Farms brand)

4 eggs

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

8 ounces milk chocolate chips

Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

2 to 3 TBS heavy whipping cream
Optional: few drops red food coloring
Optional: crushed peppermint candies

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Generously grease a 12-cup Bundt pan (I used a 9-cup and it still fit fine) with cooking spray such as Pam (I used a lot). 
2. Combine all cake ingredients except chocolate chips in bowl. Beat at low speed 30 seconds. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until well combined and then stir in chocolate chips by hand. 
3. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes and then carefully remove from pan and allow to cool completely on a wire cooling rack. 
4. Combine powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract and enough whipping cream for desired glazing consistency in bowl. Beat with a whisk until well combined and creamy. Add a few drops of red food coloring for a peppermint pink color if desired. Drizzle over cake and top with crushed peppermint candies for a festive touch (peppermint candies will get soft after sitting in the glaze, so serve immediately or top with candies right before serving if you prefer them to remain crunchy).