Red Velvet - Peppermint Cake.

Red Velvet Peppermint Cake

1 (18.25-ounce) package white cake mix
3 egg whites
1 1/3 cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 (9-ounce) package yellow cake mix*
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons liquid red food coloring
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

Garnishes: Holiday Trees, 6 (5-inch) red and white peppermint candy canes, crushed; 12 (5-inch) green candy canes, broken; 12 round peppermint candies

Beat first 4 ingredients according to cake mix package directions.

Beat yellow cake mix and next 6 ingredients according to package directions. Spoon red batter alternately with white batter into 3 greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans. Swirl batter gently with a knife.

Bake at 350° for 22 to 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool on wire racks.

Spread Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. (Cake may be chilled up to 2 days or frozen up to 1 month.) Garnish, if desired. Serve within 2 hours.

If cake is frozen, thaw completely before garnishing to prevent crushed candy from running. Do not refrigerate after garnishing.


Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 (2-pound) package powdered sugar
2 teaspoons peppermint extract*

Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at low speed until smooth. Add extract, beating until blended.
*2 teaspoons vanilla extract may be substituted.

For Quick Peppermint Frosting, stir together 3 (16-ounce) containers ready-to-spread cream cheese frosting and 2 teaspoons peppermint extract. Yield: about 5 cups.


Holiday Trees

Royal Icing
6 (4-inch) sugar ice-cream cones
12 (5-inch) red and white candy canes, coarsely crushed
12 (5-inch) green candy canes, coarsely crushed
Edible glitter or sparkling sugar (optional)

Spoon icing into a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Snip a 1/4-inch hole in 1 corner of bag. Pipe 2 rows of points around 1 cone, beginning at large end and working upward, to resemble a tree. Sprinkle with candy and, if desired, glitter. Repeat procedure until cone is decorated. Invert 2 cones; stack, securing with icing. Repeat decorating procedure. Invert remaining 3 cones, and stack, securing with icing; repeat decorating procedure. Insert larger candy pieces into trees, if desired. Let stand 8 hours. Store in a cool, dry place up to 1 month.
NOTE: For fuller trees, double icing recipe, and repeat piping procedure.

For the kids: Cut marshmallows from 1 (16 ounce) package in half with powdered sugar-coated scissors; cut each half into 4 pieces. Spread cones with 1 (16 ounce) container ready-to-spread cream cheese frosting. Press marshmallow pieces in rows around cones according to directions, adding frosting as necessary. Insert candy into icing between marshmallows; lightly rub additional icing on marshmallow leaves. Sprinkle with candy and glitter. Yield: 3 trees