It is time to get ready for the holidays! Wait until you try this delicious gluten-free chocolate mint cake recipe. I created this recipe after minty hot chocolate, one of my favorite winter treats. This gluten free hot cocoa cake is perfect for sharing with friends and family.

(*This post is sponsored by Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. All opinions are my own.)

This chocolate mint cake is full of deep flavors and topped with homemade chocolate and vanilla buttercream frosting and lots of mini marshmallows!!  You will love this delicious gluten-free take on our favorite cold-weather treat, hot cocoa!

This delicious gluten-free chocolate mint cake is not only a showstopper for a dessert table but an incredible recipe to share because NOBODY will know it is gluten-free!! Take it to any gathering; it tastes that good.

Nielsen-Massey Extracts next to a Santa coffee mug.

I love Nielsen-Massey because their extracts are gluten-free, so I know there are no weird hidden gluten ingredients! All Nielsen-Massey products are all-natural, allergen-free, non-GMO Project Verified, and certified Kosher and gluten-free.

If you haven’t tried their extracts in your baking, I highly recommend them. Their flavor is crisp and pure and adds depth to the flavors in your desserts.

Why this cake is great:

This moist chocolate mint cake is not only easy to make, but it is also really versatile! You can make it as a layer cake, sheet cake, cupcake, or in a roll. This cake is perfect for a birthday party; nobody will know it is gluten-free. It tastes that good!

I have lots of easy gluten free peppermint recipes to make. They are perfect for the holidays or any time!

Top Pick
King Arthur, Measure for Measure Flour 3 lbs

This is one of my favorite gluten-free flour blends for cookies, cakes, pie crust, biscuits, and muffins! (Do not use this flour blend for yeast recipes.)

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Ingredient notes:

  • Gluten free flour blend – I have tested my recipe with two different gluten free flour blends. It doesn’t mean others won’t work; I just haven’t had a chance to test other blends. See below for the two blends I used.
  • Xanthan gum – if your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain this, you will need it to hold your cake together.
  • Cocoa powder – you can use several great gluten-free cocoa powder brands. I like to use Ghirardelli, Rodelle, Anthony’s, and Hershey’s.
  • Butter – if you want this cake to be dairy-free, use vegan butter.
  • Pure vanilla extract – I do not recommend using imitation vanilla.

Recipe step-by-step directions:

Photos of steps one and two in making the mint cake.

Step 1: Add all of your dry ingredients to a bowl. Whisk to blend the dry ingredients thoroughly.

Step 2: Add the wet ingredients into a bowl. Add 2 teaspoons of the Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and 1 teaspoon of the Pure Peppermint Extract. Whisk the wet ingredients to mix.

Photos of steps 3 and 4 making the cake.

Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Grease your cake pans and add the cake batter to the pans. I like using coconut oil spray to grease my pans and prevent the cake batter from sticking to the pan.

Step 4: Smooth the cake batter in each pan with a spoon. Bake at 350º F for 40 minutes (baking time will depend upon the size and depth of the cake pans you use). I baked my cakes in two 8-inch round cake pans.

Now it is time to make your frosting while the cake cools!

The chocolate frosting in a bowl.

Step 5: Add the butter, vanilla, powdered sugar, and water to your standing mixer.

Frosting tips:

When you add the powdered sugar a little at a time so that it doesn’t go flying all over the counter :-). Don’t forget, you can watch the video to see how I frosted this cake!

Step 6: Divide the frosting into parts. Leave ¾ of the frosting in the mixing bowl and add ¼ (to remain vanilla) to a separate bowl. Add the cocoa powder and more water to the ¾ frosting mixture and whip until the cocoa is mixed in.

Step 7: Frost your cake, using a spatula to smooth the sides and top. You can frost between the 2 cake layers and the top of the cake, keeping the sides in the popular “naked cake” style, or frost the sides as well.

Add the white frosting to a piping bag with a star-shaped tip. Pipe detailing around the top edge of the cake. Top with mini marshmallows and a  candy cane. 🙂

The top view of the whole cake so you can see the marshmallows

Here is a picture of the top of the cake. I tried to decorate the top of this cake like a mug of hot chocolate by putting marshmallows on top and swirling the chocolate frosting like the liquid.

Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ

Can you use an electric hand mixer to make the frosting?

You can definitely use a hand mixer to make the frosting. You will want to make sure your bowl is deep so that bits of butter and sugar don’t go flying.

Can I make this cake dairy-free?

You can definitely make this cake dairy-free. Substitute vegan butter or coconut oil for the cake batter and use vegan butter for the frosting.

Why did my cake crack?

Often, if a cake is too dry, it will crack or crumble. This can happen with gluten free baking, especially if you use a starchy gluten free flour blend. Make sure you keep the moisture level balanced so that your batter is similar in consistency to the cake batter I show pictured above.

When do you frost the cake?

Always wait until your cake is completely cooled before you frost it. If your cake is still warm, your frosting will melt on the cake.

How long will this cake keep fresh?

This cake should keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container in your refrigerator. You can freeze cake slices by placing the cake slices on a cookie sheet. Freeze for 2 hours, then you can move the frozen slices to a freezer bag.

A slice of chocolate cake standing up tall on a plate.

More delicious cake recipes:

Gluten-Free Chocolate Mint Cake

Sandi Gaertner
An incredibly moist and chocolaty homemade gluten free chocolate mint cake topped with chocolate buttercream frosting.
4.89 from 9 votes
gluten free allergy icon
nut free allergen icon
soy free allergy icon
vegetarian icon
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Decorating 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Gluten Free Cake Recipes, Gluten Free Dessert Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 12 slices
Calories 468 kcal

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups gluten free flour blend * see note
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup cocoa powder unsweetened, see note
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda aluminum-free
  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 ¼ cup milk *see note
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract

For Frosting:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 3-4 tablespoons water

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350º F.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the first five dry ingredients and whisk to blend.
  • In a smaller bowl, add the wet ingredients from the butter to the peppermint extract, and whisk to blend.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a large spoon. Try not to overmix the batter so the cake can turn out fluffier. (I do not suggest a stand mixer.)
  • Add the cake batter to two greased 8-inch round cake pans. Spread the batter evenly in the pan and bake for 40 minutes. (Actual baking time will vary depending on the actual size of the pan you use.)
  • Remove the cakes from the oven to a cooling rack.
  • Insert a toothpick into the cakes to test if they are done. If the toothpick comes back clean, the cakes are ready. If there are crumbs or batter on the toothpick, you will need to bake a bit longer.
  • Allow the cake to fully cool, then make the frosting.

Frosting:

  • In a standing mixer, add the frosting ingredients except cocoa powder.
  • Mix well.
  • Leave ¾ of the frosting in the bowl and add the cocoa powder. Mix on low speed.
  • Spread the batter onto the cake's first layer. Add the top layer over the frosting, and frost the top and sides of the cake.
  • Decorate with marshmallows and candy cane.
  • For piping directions, see the blog post for step by step directions.

Video

Notes

  1. I have tested this recipe with King Arthur Measure for Measure GF and Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 GF blend. That doesn’t mean others will not work, I just have not tested other flours.
  2. If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t contain Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum, please add 1 teaspoon.
  3. To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the butter for vegan butter and use non-dairy milk.
  4. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, it is done baking. If you see batter or crumbs, the cake needs to bake longer.
  5. When you add the powdered sugar a little at a time so that it doesn’t go flying all over the counter :-). Don’t forget, you can watch the video to see how I frosted this cake!
  6. This cake will keep up to 4 days in an air-tight container, or up to 4 months in the freezer.
  7. To freeze this cake, put cake slices on a cookie sheet and freeze for 2 hours. Once the slices are frozen, you can add them to a freezer bag.

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 468kcalCarbohydrates: 77gProtein: 5gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 344mgPotassium: 153mgFiber: 4gSugar: 58gVitamin A: 554IUCalcium: 60mgIron: 2mg
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Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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Recipe Rating




16 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This cake turned out perfectly for me! I added the mint to the frosting instead of the cake, and it was fantastic. Thanks for the recipe!

  2. I am so inspired by this cake! I love hot chocolate this time of year. The idea of turning it into a cake is brilliant. And Nielsen Massey products are awesome!

  3. We always have a holiday baking day with the kids! It’s something they look forward to every year! I need to add this cake to the list!

  4. Mint and chocolate are one of my favorite flavors together! Loved the use of the Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract! Perfect for the holidays!