You know what’s a real life saver this time of year? Groceries delivered to your front door. Obviously I’ve been hearing a lot about this new luxury, but I had never got around to trying it out until now. It was well past due though, because between errands and happy hours and last-minute shopping and photoshoots, I am officially maxed out. There’s simply just not enough hours of the day this time of year! So when Shipt reached out to me about its local on-demand grocery service app, I knew it was a sign from Santa’s helpers that it was the perfect time to give grocery delivery a go.
It’s amazing how much time you save (and even unnecessary food you avoid) when you have someone else grabbing items on your grocery list for you. This was especially true when I recently requested Shipt to deliver all of the ingredients for my Chocolate Peppermint Buttercream Cookie Cake, so I could focus my energies instead on wrapping gifts for the Mr. and Addy in the meantime. And did I mention same-day delivery, as soon as one hour? I couldn’t believe it either.
So I’m sure you’re wondering the same thing as I did… how much are the delivery costs? Delivery is free with orders over $35, which is of course so easy to do and very reasonable. And Shipt makes it so easy to see the current deals and coupons too. So often I swear I’ll use a coupon and forget it at home, and the app solves all of that. Thank you, thank you, Shipt, for making my life a little easier this time of year. Now on to the cake… Truly, MKR
P.S. Check out to see if Shipt is in your city! If yours isn’t listed, be sure to let them know you’re going to need it too. And if you’re wondering what to get the hostess with the mostess this year, I have a feeling that a gift of Shipt would be so appreciated! xo
- ...FOR THE CAKE
- 2 CUPS BOILING WATER
- 1 CUP UNSWEETENED COCOA POWDER
- 2 3/4 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
- 2 TEASPOONS BAKING SODA
- 1/2 TEASPOON BAKING POWDER
- 1/2 TEASPOON SALT
- 1 CUP BUTTER, SOFTENED
- 2 1/4 CUPS WHITE SUGAR
- 4 EGGS
- 1 1/2 TEASPOONS VANILLA EXTRACT
- 1-2 Teaspoons Peppermint extract (depending on how much peppermint you like)
- ...FOR THE BUTTER CREAM FROSTING
- 1 1/2 CUP SOLID VEGETABLE SHORTENING
- 1 1/2 CUP (3 STICKS) UNSALTED BUTTER SOFTENED
- 3 TEASPOONS CLEAR VANILLA EXTRACT
- 12 CUPS SIFTED CONFECTIONERS' SUGAR (APPROXIMATELY 1 LB.)
- 6 TABLESPOONS MILK
- 1/2 Package crushed Peppermint Jo Jo's (from Trader Joes)
- ...FOR THE GANACHE TOPPING
- 16 OUNCES HIGH QUALITY SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS
- 1 CUP HEAVY CREAM
- ...FOR THE CAKE
- PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES.
- GREASE 3 - 8 OR 9 INCH ROUND CAKE PANS.
- IN MEDIUM BOWL, POUR BOILING WATER OVER COCOA, AND WHISK UNTIL SMOOTH. LET MIXTURE COOL.
- SIFT TOGETHER FLOUR, BAKING SODA, BAKING POWDER AND SALT; SET ASIDE.
- IN A LARGE BOWL, CREAM BUTTER AND SUGAR TOGETHER UNTIL LIGHT AND FLUFFY. BEAT IN EGGS ONE AT TIME, STIR IN VANILLA and peppermint extract.
- ADD THE FLOUR MIXTURE WITH THE COCOA MIXTURE. SPREAD BATTER EVENLY BETWEEN THE 3 PREPARED PANS, BAKE FOR 30 TO 35 MINUTES.
- ALLOW TO COMPLETELY COOL BEFORE LEVELING AND FROSTING, YOU CAN EVEN ALLOW THEM TO COOL OVERNIGHT.
- ...FOR THE BUTTER CREAM FROSTING
- IN LARGE BOWL, BEAT SHORTENING AND BUTTER WITH ELECTRIC MIXER UNTIL LIGHT AND FLUFFY. BEAT IN VANILLA.
- GRADUALLY ADD SUGAR, ONE CUP AT A TIME, BEATING WELL ON MEDIUM SPEED. SCRAPE SIDES AND BOTTOM OF BOWL OFTEN.
- GRADUALLY ADD MILK; BEAT AT MEDIUM SPEED UNTIL LIGHT AND FLUFFY.
- stir in cookie crumbles and peppermint extract until combined
- ...FOR THE GANACHE TOPPING
- COOK THE CHOCOLATE CHIPS AND HEAVY CREAM IN THE TOP OF A DOUBLE BOILER OVER SIMMERING WATER UNTIL SMOOTH AND WARM, STIRRING OCCASIONALLY.
- ...BUILD YOUR CAKE
- YOU CAN MAKE THE CAKE 2 OR 3 LAYERS, IT'S COMPLETELY UP TO YOU.
- LEVEL EACH CAKE USING A CAKE LEVELER OR LARGE KNIFE. SIMPLY PLACE YOUR HAND ON TOP OF THE CAKE AND CUT THE TOP, ROUNDED LAYER OFF TO MAKE IT FLAT AND THINNER.
- PLACE YOUR FIRST LAYER ON A CAKE PLATE AND FROST THE TOP WITH A THIN LAYER OF BUTTERCREAM, CONTINUE WITH THE SECOND, AND THIRD LAYER IF DESIRED.
- ONCE CAKE IS ASSEMBLED ADD REMAINING FROSTING TO THE TOP AND BEGIN FROSTING THE ENTIRE CAKE UNTIL THE ENTIRE TOP AND SIDES ARE FROSTED.
- PLACE IN REFRIGERATOR TO CHILL FOR 20-30 MINUTES.
- REMOVE AND POUR GANACHE ON THE TOP OF THE CAKE ALLOWING IT TO DRIP DOWN THE SIDES. ADD REMAINING COOKIE CRUMBLE, SERVE IMMEDIATELY.
