Minty Chocolate Holiday Cake Bites

 Minty Chocolate Holiday Cake Bites are a festive and fun treat, perfect for any holiday celebration! These bite-sized delights combine rich chocolate cake with a refreshing mint flavor, making them irresistible. Here's how to make them:

---

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1 box chocolate cake mix (or homemade chocolate cake recipe)

3 large eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup water (or as directed by the cake mix)

For the Mint Filling:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 tsp peppermint extract

1-2 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)

For the Chocolate Coating:

8 oz semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped

2 tbsp coconut oil or vegetable oil

Green food coloring (optional, for a festive touch)

For Garnish (Optional):

Crushed candy canes

Sprinkles

---

Instructions

1. Make the Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking pan.

2. Prepare the chocolate cake mix according to the package instructions, using eggs, oil, and water.

3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake according to the instructions, typically 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

4. Allow the cake to cool completely.

---

2. Prepare the Mint Filling

1. In a bowl, beat together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth.

2. Add the peppermint extract and milk, mixing until the filling reaches a thick yet spreadable consistency.

---

3. Form the Cake Bites

1. Once the cake has cooled, crumble it into small pieces in a large bowl.

2. Add about half of the mint filling to the crumbled cake and mix until the cake is moist and holds together. Add more filling if needed, but not too much, as it should be firm enough to form balls.

3. Roll the mixture into small bite-sized balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

4. Refrigerate the cake bites for about 30 minutes to firm up.

---

4. Coat the Cake Bites

1. Melt the chopped chocolate and coconut oil in a heatproof bowl over a double boiler or microwave, stirring until smooth.

2. If desired, add a few drops of green food coloring to the chocolate for a festive touch.

3. Dip each cake bite into the melted chocolate, coating it fully. Use a fork to lift it out and gently tap off excess chocolate.

4. Place the coated cake bites back onto the parchment-lined sheet.

---

5. Garnish and Set

1. Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle the tops with crushed candy canes or holiday sprinkles for a festive finish.

2. Let the chocolate coating firm up at room temperature or refrigerate for quicker setting (about 15-20 minutes).

---

Serve

Once the chocolate has hardened, serve these minty chocolate holiday cake bites on a platter. T

hey're the perfect bite-sized treat for any holiday gathering, and the minty chocolate combination is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!