Preheat oven to 350°F and spray three 6-inch cake pans, or two 8-inch cake pans, with nonstick spray. Line inside bottom of cake pans with parchment paper and spray again.

In one bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

In another bowl, combine sugar, oil, 1 egg, 2 egg whites, and peppermint extract. Mix on medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.

Add half of the flour mixture to the sugar mixture, along with half of the milk. Mix until ingredients are mostly combined. Repeat with remaining flour and milk.

Stir in food coloring. (Feel free to add more if you want a more vibrant color!) Fold in chocolate chips.

Divide batter evenly among cake pans and bake for 25 minutes, or until tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.

Let cake layers cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire wrack to cool completely.

Cream butter on medium-high speed with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. With mixer running, add shortening by tablespoons until completely incorporated.

Add peppermint extract and mix well.

Add powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing well and scraping the sides of the bowl after each, until frosting is smooth and fluffy.

Add food coloring and mix until completely blended.

Place chocolate chips in a heat-safe bowl.

Heat cream in a small sauce pan on medium head until almost simmering, do not boil.

Pour cream over chocolate chips and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Whisk until chocolate has completely melted and mixture is smooth.

Place one cake layer on a plate or cake stand. Spread frosting over the top; repeat with next two layers. If you're going for the naked cake look, spread frosting around the outside of the cake and scrape off any excess, leaving the layers a little exposed. If you're not going for the naked cake look, there should be enough frosting to cover the whole cake.

Place cake in the freezer for about 20 minutes. (I find that this makes it easier to smooth the ganache over the top and coax it down the sides of the cake.)

Transfer cooled ganache to a squeeze bottle or piping bag with a small tip cut off. Pipe drips around the outside of the cake. Place a spoonful or two of ganache on top of the cake, in the center. Use an offset or rubber spatula to spread it towards the edges. Add more ganache if necessary.

If you have any remaining frosting, you can pipe swirls around the top edge. Fresh mint leaves, mini chocolate chips, and crushed chocolate cookies are great garnish options as well.