PEPPERMINT BLISS SWIRL

A Peppermint Bliss Swirl is a festive, minty, and creamy treat that combines the refreshing taste of peppermint with a luscious swirl of smooth flavors. Perfect for the holiday season or whenever you need a refreshing dessert, these treats are sure to be a crowd-pleaser! Here’s a recipe for a Peppermint Bliss Swirl that’s easy to make and delightful to eat:

Ingredients:

For the Peppermint Swirl:

• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract (or more to taste)
• 2 tbsp crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (for topping and swirls)

For the Cake/Crust (Optional, for a base):

• 1 box of chocolate cake mix (or 1 recipe for chocolate cake)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup sugar

For Garnishing:

• Crushed candy canes or peppermint pieces
• Chocolate drizzle (optional)
• Fresh mint leaves (optional)

Instructions:

1. Make the Peppermint Swirl:

• In a medium bowl, whisk the heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until soft peaks form.
• Taste the mixture and adjust the peppermint flavor by adding more peppermint extract if desired.
• Once the cream is whipped, gently fold in the crushed peppermint candies or candy canes, ensuring the swirls of mint are spread throughout the whipped cream.

2. Prepare the Cake/Crust (Optional):

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Prepare a chocolate cake mix (or your preferred chocolate cake recipe) and bake it in a rectangular or round cake pan according to the package instructions.
• Once baked, let the cake cool completely. After cooling, crumble the cake into small pieces to form a crumbly base for the dessert, or keep the cake intact if you prefer to serve it as layers.

3. Assemble the Peppermint Bliss Swirl:

• If using a cake base, spread a layer of the crumbled cake or intact cake into the bottom of a glass dessert dish or individual serving cups.
• Spoon the peppermint swirl mixture over the top of the cake base (or directly in dessert cups).
• Swirl the peppermint mixture gently with a spoon to create a beautiful marble effect of creamy white and peppermint pink.
• If you prefer a more solid base, you can omit the cake and layer just the peppermint cream.

4. Garnish and Serve:

• Top the dessert with additional crushed peppermint candies, a drizzle of chocolate, or fresh mint leaves for a festive touch.
• Chill the Peppermint Bliss Swirl in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to set.

Tips:

• For a richer version, you can add a little bit of cream cheese to the peppermint mixture for an extra creamy texture.
• If you’re making these as individual servings, they can be placed in small mason jars or cups for a cute, portable treat.
• You can swap out chocolate cake for a vanilla or peppermint-flavored cake if you prefer a lighter base.

This Peppermint Bliss Swirl is the ultimate holiday dessert, bringing together the refreshing taste of peppermint and the creamy richness of whipped cream for a delightful, swirled dessert experience!