I’m almost sure there is nothing more decadent than this Naked Cake with Peppermint Bark and Mascarpone Buttercream!
And bonus! It’s easy to make and would be perfect for your next dinner party …
Have you heard of naked cakes? I first became aware of them on Instagram (where else) but I’ve since started a Pinterest board here.
The whole idea has, for me, ignited a sense of fun and adventure in baking cakes once again.
I personally dislike icing cakes simply because I’m not good at it. But these naked cakes use minimal icing and focus on the decorations. I’ve seen everything from cookies to popcorn to donuts piled on top—how fun is that!? and easy!!
For this one, I used peppermint bark I already had, but topped the cake with delicious peppermint bark cookies I found at Williams-Sonoma (they were literally the icing on the cake!)
I think part of the charm of this “naked” style is the perfect shape of the cake, so I purchased specialty cake pans for a more evenly baked result, and I think they are worth every penny. The cakes also came out of the pan like magic … and no, Williams-Sonoma has not sponsored this post ;) it’s just me folks!
After removing cake from pans, try to brush away as many crumbs as possible. You can see that I didn’t succeed in brushing them all away, but it still worked fine.
Place the first layer on a cake stand, cover with icing, and sprinkle with crushed peppermint:
Place second layer on top:
Finish icing the cake then stick broken pieces of bark along the bottom. Top with chocolate covered peppermint cookies, and sprinkle with crushed peppermint. My only warning here is to not eat too much bark …
So here’s the recipe! Enjoy!
Naked Cake with Peppermint Bark and Mascarpone Buttercream (if you dare)
- 1 package Dark Devils Food Cake Mix
- 1 3-ounce package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup cooking oil
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chocolate mint chips
- Chocolate Mint Cookies
- 1 cup crushed peppermint
- Beat together:
- 8 oz Mascarpone cheese
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups icing sugar
- 1 - 2 Tbsp heavy cream (just enough to make a soft icing that's easy to spread)
- Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips in mixer.
- Beat 4 minutes.
- Fold in chips.
- Pour into two greased and lightly floured cake pans.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for 15 minutes then turn out on to parchment paper.
- Place one layer on cake plate, cover with icing and sprinkle with crushed peppermint.
- Place second layer on top and finish icing cake making sure that the layers show through (use an offset icing spatula for best results).
- Add broken pieces of peppermint bark along the bottom, sprinkle with crushed peppermint, and top with cookies.
Ooh Barb…why do you do this to us?! This looks absolutely divine…and so beautifully staged and photographed as well. Having just returned from a sixty minute walk in the park in a small attempt to deal with excess holiday calories I was feeling virtuous until I saw this. What a glorious shot – thanks for sharing.
How awesome is that cake ! Wow, I think I gained 5 pounds just looking at it…lol. Wonderful photos, Barb, and you’re so right about having good baking tins, they make a world of difference :))
wow! i gave my neighbor friend some peppermint bark candy for christmas. now i’m drooling over this. :)
My gosh that looks good!! I hate making cakes, because frosting them is not the only thing I’m bad at!! Maybe this one is something I could do?
It looks absolutely divine!
It should be illegal to make food look as good as you do! ? Not only are you an exceptional photographer and maker of things (loved your paper garland!) but your also an incredible baker! You’re wonderful and beyon Barb. Thanks for the inspiration, I’m going to have to try a naked cake!
It should be illegal to make food look as good as you do! ? Not only are you an exceptional photographer and maker of things (loved your paper garland!) but your also an incredible baker! You’re wonderful and beyon Barb. Thanks for the inspiration, I’m going to have to try a naked cake!
Thank you Barb for the so much inspiring pages you have posted day after day… recipes like this amazing cake, DIY craftings and tutorials, articles about decorating, gardening, photographying… such a mine of inspirations, of ideas, of wonderful pictures, of meaningful writings tinted with your enthousiasm and your sweet sense of humor… what a sum of work within a year! it’s been a pleasure to read you and admire your gorgeous pictures all this year long… looking forward to discover the new pages of yourbeautiful blog as soon as 2016 starts and the 12 months of it… wishing you and your family a happy, wonderful and healthy year!
This looks delicious and so creative, looks almost fun. I used to bake a lot earlier
So beautiful- and you are tempting me to make it! But only for a dinner party of course- I wouldn’t actually EAT it (HAH!). Your styling and shooting is just perfect Barb- I so admire your talent. I am wishing you a happy and healthy and wonderfully fulfilling 2016! <3
Barb I did see your pins on Pinterest and was curious what you’d make…well! You’ve outshone them all! These images are spectacular, and that cake simply looks heavenly!! Superb!! What a wonderful way to dress up a cake! Yep, a n y t h i n g from W/S is just fabulous!!