Peppermint Cake with Seven Minute Frosting

Ingredients

• 2 cups Granulated Sugar
• 1 1/4 cups Unsalted Butter softened
• 4 Large Eggs
• 2 tablespoons Vanilla Extract
• 4 cups Unbleached Cake Flour
• 1 tablespoon Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1 cup Whole Milk
• Shortening for greasing pans
• 3 cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 cup Unsalted Butter softened
• 1/2 cup Finely Crushed Hard Peppermint candies about 20
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 to 2 teaspoons Whole Milk
• 2 to 3 drops Red food coloring
• 12 Large Egg Whites
• 3 cups Granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons Corn Syrup
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Peppermint Extract