Chocolate Peppermint Bread
A delightful quick bread that combines rich chocolate flavors with refreshing peppermint essence, perfect for the festive season.
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 1 stick butter, softened Make sure it's at room temperature.
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 3 whole eggs Room temperature for best results.
- 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
- 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder Use high-quality cocoa for rich flavor.
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp espresso powder Enhances the chocolate flavor.
- 3/4 cup milk Whole or 2% recommended.
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- pinch salt
For the Frosting
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tbsp milk Whole or 2% recommended.
- 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
- 1 tbsp Greek yogurt Adds creaminess.
For Garnish
- 3 tbsp crushed candy canes For a festive touch.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Incorporate baking soda, baking powder, espresso powder, salt, and cocoa powder into the sugar mixture and mix well.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the peppermint extract.
- Alternate adding the all-purpose flour and milk in portions until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips.
- Prepare your loaf pan by greasing or lining it with parchment paper.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and level the mixture.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Frosting
- Mix the powdered sugar, milk, peppermint extract, and Greek yogurt until smooth and creamy.
- Once the bread is cooled, frost the top generously with the peppermint frosting.
- Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the frosting.
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Notes
For serving, slice the bread and pair with whipped cream or ice cream. This bread makes a wonderful gift when packaged decoratively. For best results, ensure ingredients are at room temperature. Don’t overmix for a light texture.