Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Cake

Another special little person in my life had a milestone birthday recently.  My niece Nina turned 10!  And I was THRILLED when she gave me her cake choice.  It's one of my favorite flavor combinations.

I had to make some changes to the original recipe since the request was specifically "mint chocolate chip cake".  No problem.

Where the problem did lie, however, is in my leveling/trimming/frosting skills.  Damn layer cakes.  Can someone please come and tutor me?  PLEASE???

Anyway, it tasted awesome...and isn't that what really matters? :)

Happy birthday Nina - I can't believe you're in double digits!

Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Cake
adapted from Bird On A Cake

For the cake:
1 cup boiling water
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups AP flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chopped Andes mints
mini chocolate chips (for assembly)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour three 8 inch round cake pans.

Bring some water to a boil.  In a large mixing bowl combine sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Add eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla.  Mix together.

Add one cup of boiling water and carefully stir until mixed in.  Beat for 1 1/2 minutes with mixer.  Fold in mints.  Pour batter into pans and bake for about 20-23 minutes.

For the Mint Buttercream frosting:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
5 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon mint extract
green food coloring
1/2 cup milk (may use less)

Mix all ingredients except milk together on low speed.  Gradually add milk until desired consistency is reached.

Place bottom layer on serving plate.  Add frosting, then spread mini chocolate chips evenly over it.  Repeat with second layer.  Frost top and sides of cake, then add chips on top and on sides.

Linked to: Tastetastic Thursday
                 Sweet Tooth Friday
                 Sweets for a Saturday
                 Mint Blog Hop