Indulge Safely This Holiday: The Ultimate Gluten-Free & Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake

The holiday season is synonymous with warmth, joy, and, of course, delicious treats. For many, finding desserts that cater to various dietary needs can be a challenge, turning festive baking into a stressful endeavor. But what if you could create a show-stopping dessert that is not only incredibly delicious but also completely inclusive? This recipe for a moist, rich Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake, generously topped with a dark chocolate peppermint ganache and a sprinkle of crunchy candy canes, promises just that. It’s a truly decadent holiday dessert that looks so elegant, it feels more like a beautifully wrapped gift than just a treat.

Last year, this very cake was the grand finale for our Christmas dinner, and I’ve been eager to share it with you ever since. This year, I decided to bake it a few days before Christmas, allowing us to slowly savor every single bite without the holiday rush. It’s a moment of pure bliss, and the kind of treat that truly encapsulates the spirit of the season.

Watching my little boys’ eyes light up with anticipation as I finished photographing this masterpiece was a joy in itself. My then 19-month-old, barely able to string words together, started chanting “yummy, yummy” repeatedly after his first taste. If a toddler who rarely speaks feels compelled to express his delight, you know you’ve hit on something truly special. This cake is definitely a family favorite and a testament to how incredible allergy-friendly baking can be.

Elegant enough to impress any guest, this rich and visually stunning dessert offers the perfect ending to your holiday celebrations. Whether you’re hosting a grand feast or a cozy family gathering, this Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake will undoubtedly be the star of your dessert table, ensuring everyone can partake in the sweet joy of the season. No one has to miss out on this festive indulgence!

Whatever you choose to prepare for your holiday feast, my dearest readers, I sincerely hope it is a wonderful, safe, and joy-filled one. May your Christmas week be filled with happiness, good food, and cherished moments!

Why This Gluten-Free & Vegan Bundt Cake is Your Holiday Hero

Beyond its undeniable deliciousness, this Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake is a true holiday hero because it’s crafted to be free from many common allergens. Specifically, it’s:

• Gluten-Free: Perfect for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free: Ideal for anyone with lactose intolerance or a dairy allergy, or those following a vegan diet.
• Egg-Free: A fantastic option for individuals with egg allergies.
• Soy-Free: Catering to soy sensitivities and allergies, often a hidden ingredient in many processed foods.
• Peanut/Tree Nut Free: Providing peace of mind for families managing severe nut allergies.
• Vegan: Suitable for a plant-based lifestyle, ensuring ethical and delicious enjoyment.
• Top 8 Allergen Free: By addressing these major allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish), this cake offers a safe dessert option for a significant portion of the population, making your holiday gathering genuinely inclusive.

This commitment to being allergy-friendly means that you can serve this beautiful cake with confidence, knowing that most of your guests will be able to enjoy a slice without worry. It removes the stress of having to prepare multiple desserts for different dietary restrictions, allowing you to focus on the joy of the season.

The Allure of Chocolate & Peppermint: A Classic Holiday Pairing

There’s a reason why chocolate and peppermint become ubiquitous during the colder months – they are a match made in culinary heaven! The deep, rich bitterness of chocolate perfectly complements the cool, invigorating rush of peppermint. This bundt cake takes that classic combination to new heights. The moist chocolate cake provides a robust base, while the dark chocolate peppermint ganache adds an extra layer of intense chocolate flavor with a refreshing burst of mint. The crushed candy canes on top aren’t just for festive decoration; they offer a delightful crunch and an additional pop of peppermint that ties the whole dessert together, making each bite a symphony of flavors and textures.

Mastering Your Bundt Cake: Tips for Success

Baking a bundt cake can seem intimidating due to its intricate shape, but with a few simple tips, you can ensure a perfect release every time:

1. Grease Generously: This is the most crucial step! Use a high-quality non-stick spray or thoroughly grease your bundt pan with solid shortening, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. Then, lightly dust with gluten-free flour or cocoa powder, tapping out any excess. This creates a barrier that prevents sticking.
2. Don’t Overfill: Generally, bundt pans should be filled about two-thirds full to prevent overflow during baking and to allow the cake to rise properly.
3. Proper Cooling: Once out of the oven, let the cake cool in the pan for 2-3 minutes. This allows the cake to firm up slightly, making it less likely to break when inverted. Then, carefully turn the cake upside down onto a wire rack or serving plate. If it doesn’t release immediately, give it a gentle shake or tap. Allow it to cool completely before adding the ganache, otherwise, your beautiful ganache will simply melt and slide off!
4. Use Quality Ingredients: Especially when baking allergy-friendly, the quality of your ingredients matters. Ensure your gluten-free flour blend is fresh, your cocoa powder is rich, and your dairy-free chocolate chips melt smoothly.

Crafting the Perfect Peppermint Ganache

The dark chocolate peppermint ganache is truly the crowning glory of this bundt cake. It’s incredibly simple to make yet delivers an impressive impact. Combine good quality dairy-free, soy-free chocolate chips with vanilla rice milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short intervals, stirring gently between each, until the mixture is smooth, glossy, and fully incorporated. The key is patience to avoid scorching the chocolate. Once melted, stir in the peppermint extract. You can adjust the amount of extract to achieve your desired level of minty freshness. Spooning it over the cooled cake, letting it drip elegantly down the sides, creates that gorgeous, gift-like presentation. The final flourish of crushed candy canes adds not just a festive look, but a wonderful textural contrast and an extra layer of sweet peppermint flavor that truly elevates the dessert.

DO I HAVE ANY OTHER GLUTEN FREE CHRISTMAS RECIPES?

Yes, I absolutely do! I am passionate about creating delicious, yet SAFE and INCLUSIVE food for holiday parties and all year round. All of my recipes are *dairy free* and also gluten-free. If you don’t need them to be gluten-free, you can often achieve excellent results by swapping back in regular all-purpose flour at a 1:1 ratio and omitting the xanthan gum (if the recipe calls for it.) Explore my curated list for even more delightful and worry-free holiday recipes, perfect for expanding your allergy-friendly repertoire:

• Powdered mix hot cocoa recipe – Perfect for gifting or quick holiday cheer, this mix makes rich, allergy-friendly hot cocoa.
• Reindeer Rice Krispies – A fun, no-bake treat that kids (and adults!) will adore, bringing smiles to any party.
• Eggnog Cupcakes with Eggnog Frosting – Capture the festive flavor of eggnog in a moist, delightful cupcake, complete with creamy frosting.
• Cherry chocolate thumbprint cookies – A beautiful and delicious cookie featuring a chocolate base and a vibrant cherry filling.
• Maple cookies with maple glaze – Soft cookies bursting with natural maple flavor, enhanced by a sweet, smooth maple glaze.
• Soft, roll out sugar cookies – The quintessential holiday cookie, perfect for decorating with your favorite allergy-friendly icing.
• Chocolate orange cookies – A sophisticated flavor combination of rich chocolate and bright orange zest in a delightful cookie.
• Rice Krispie Christmas Trees – Another charming and easy-to-make Rice Krispie treat, shaped like festive Christmas trees.
• No Bake Chocolate Pretzel Bites – A quick, salty-sweet snack that requires no oven, perfect for last-minute party trays.
• Chocolate peppermint crinkle cookies – These classic crinkles get a festive twist with peppermint, offering a chewy texture and striking appearance.
• Dairy Free Fudge – Creamy, rich fudge that’s surprisingly easy to make and entirely dairy-free, a holiday staple.
• Dairy Free Peppermint Patties – Homemade versions of the classic minty treat, perfect for after-dinner indulgence.
• Homemade Oreos – Enjoy the iconic cookie sandwich, made entirely allergy-friendly, for a nostalgic treat.
• Christmas Rice Krispie Roll – A fun, rollable Rice Krispie treat, perfect for slicing and sharing at holiday gatherings.
• White chocolate dipped peppermint cookies – Crisp cookies dipped in dairy-free white chocolate and sprinkled with peppermint for a beautiful finish.
• Peppermint Pie recipe – A refreshing and creamy pie, bursting with peppermint flavor, perfect as a lighter dessert option.
• Crock Pot Hot Chocolate – Keep warm with this easy-to-make, large-batch hot chocolate, perfect for holiday parties.

With so many wonderful allergy-friendly options, you can truly enjoy a festive season filled with delightful tastes and worry-free indulgence!

Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake with Peppermint Ganache (GF, DF, Egg, Soy, Peanut/Tree nut Free, Vegan, Top 8 Free)

Yield:
6-8

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
20 minutes

Total Time:
35 minutes

A moist, chocolate bundt cake dripping with dark chocolate peppermint ganache finished with crunchy, crushed candy canes. A decadent holiday dessert that looks more like a gift than a treat.

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/4 cup gluten-free flour
• 3/4 cups cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1 and 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 and 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoons double-acting baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 Tablespoon Ener-G egg replacer
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 and 1/4 cup vanilla rice milk
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
• Ganache:
• 3/4 cup dairy-free, soy-free chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup vanilla rice milk
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
• Crushed candy canes for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.
2. In a stand mixer, blend the dry ingredients well.
3. Slowly add in the rest of the wet ingredients. Mix until blended, scraping the sides as needed.
4. Pour into a very well greased bundt cake pan (be sure to grease it well as you do NOT want it sticking to pan, otherwise it will ruin the shape of your cake.)
5. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until it starts to come from the sides of the pan and springs to the touch of your finger.
6. Allow to cool in the pan 2-3 minutes. Then, turn the cake upside down on a plate to release it from the pan. Allow the cake to cool while you make the ganache and crush the candy canes.
7. In a microwave safe bowl, put the chocolate chips and rice milk. Heat for 30 seconds at a time and stir until everything is melted and incorporated. Once melted, add the peppermint extract. Spoon over the cooled cake a little at a time, until you have the desired effect.
8. Garnish with crushed candy canes.
9. Devour.

Notes

*I halved my original recipe, as I like a smaller bundt. I find that it cooks more evenly. Plus, I like to not have as much around to tempt me! But, feel free to double if you’re feeding a large crowd.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 193Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 221mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 3gSugar: 20gProtein: 3g

Ready to bake this incredibly moist and flavorful Chocolate Peppermint Bundt Cake? It’s a delightful way to bring festive cheer and inclusive deliciousness to your table. Don’t hesitate to share your creations and experiences with us!

Chocolate cake recipe adapted from The Allergen-Free Baker’s Handbook