chocolate peppermint cake roll

this is another amazing idea I got from Pinterest.  basically a pumpkin roll, but made with chocolate cake and a peppermint filling.  I was instantly hooked on the idea.  So, today I decided was the time to try this out.  I made a total of three cake rolls.

Cooked cake

Step 1: Make a chocolate cake.  I actually made this one from scratch with a recipe I found on all recipes, but you could just as easily use a cake mix.  There is no shame in using a cake mix.  just take a jelly roll pan, spray it with cooking spray, line with parchment, spray the parchment, and fill with cake mix.  I used 3 cups for each cake.  That seemed to work nicely.
Step 2: I used Bettercreme frosting mix (available at Gordon's)  Just pour the quart of mix into a mixing bowl, add about a tsp of peppermint extract, and beat on high until you get stiff peaks.  I thought about adding some red food coloring, but thought the white would look nice.  Remove cake from pan by flipping upside down onto a clean towel.  remove parchment paper and spread with filling. I sprinkled the filling with smashed candy canes.  (Gordons also sells pre smashed candy canes, I used those.)
Step 3:  Using your towel, roll the cake towards you.  in my mind, this was going to be easy and the cake would turn out beautifully.  In actuality, it cracked a lot.  I cooled the cake enough that the filling wouldn't melt.  Maybe I should have tried while the cake was a little warmer.
Step 4: my plan was to stop here, dust with powdered sugar, and serve.  BUT, I could not leave it looking this way.  So, I decided ganache would cover up the problems.  Take 1 cup of heavy cream, heat in a metal bowl placed over a pan of simmering water.  Once the cream is hot, stir in 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips until melted.  add 1/2 tsp peppermint extract.  I slid the cake roll off of the towel onto a jelly roll pan, and poured the ganache over the top, then added more peppermint candy pieces just to look nice,
Step 5:  Allow to cool completely!  this is important.  the ganache needs to be firm so you can slice the cake without it making a huge mess.  (The first cake did not turn out as beautiful as the others because I didn't wait long enough.)

Once you are certain that the cake has cooled enough, use a serrated knife to cut the cake into slices.  I think in the end, it turned out pretty nice.  This cake tasted fabulous, and all three cakes sold out.  I will certainly make this again.  As you can see, my friend Shelby enjoyed it also.