Don't let the mayo put you off - this is our family's favorite birthday and every other occasion cake, very moist and devilishly rich! This cake stores well at room temperature and is great for picnics.
INGREDIENTS (for 2 servings):
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (4.5 ounce) package chocolate covered thin mints
- 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch cake pans.
Sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, 1 cup white sugar, and 1/2 cup cocoa. Add mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and water. Beat with and electric mixer on medium speed for 3 to 4 minutes. Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 minutes. Turn oven off, remove cake layers and allow to cool for 10 minutes in pans. Invert 1 layer onto a serving plate and the other layer onto a cooling rack. Top layer on plate with enough unwrapped mints to fully cover top. Return cake to oven for 3 to 5 minutes to soften chocolate mints, then spread evenly with a spatula. Top with second cake layer and allow to cool before frosting.
To Make Fudge Frosting: Combine 6 tablespoons cocoa, 2 cups white sugar, 2/3 cup milk, 1/2 cup butter, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium high heat. Stirring constantly bring mixture to a boil and reduce heat to low, allowing mixture to boil gently for 3 minutes without stirring.
Remove from heat and let cool for 3 minutes before beating in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer until just barely thick enough to spread without running off the cake. Spread over top of cooled cake.