If you’re searching for a show-stopping holiday treat that blends rich, chocolaty goodness with a refreshing peppermint twist, look no further than this Chocolate Peppermint Bread: A Festive Holiday Recipe. This loaf is the perfect balance of moist texture, bold cocoa flavor, and delightful peppermint crunch, wrapped up in a beautiful dessert that feels right at home on any festive table. Whether you’re baking for a cozy family gathering or gifting something delicious to friends, this bread is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser filled with everything you love about winter celebrations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of simple ingredients, this recipe invites the joyful spirit of the season into your kitchen without any fuss. Each element plays an essential role—flour and cocoa powder build the structure and deep chocolate flavor, while peppermint extract and crushed candies add that unmistakable holiday spark.
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The base that gives this bread its tender crumb and sturdy shape.
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder: For a rich, chocolatey depth that’s not too sweet but wonderfully intense.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the bread rise and become perfectly fluffy.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder: Works alongside baking soda for just the right lift.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened): Adds moisture and richness for a soft, melt-in-your-mouth bread.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the loaf, balancing the cocoa’s natural bitterness.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients and give life to the batter.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brings warmth and complexity to the chocolate and peppermint.
- 1 cup buttermilk: Adds tanginess and tenderness while keeping the bread moist.
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract: The star that delivers that refreshing holiday breath of peppermint joy.
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips: Pockets of extra chocolaty delight in every bite.
- ½ cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies: For crunchy texture and festive flair.
- Optional glaze (1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract): A sweet, glossy finish that takes this bread over the top.
- Additional crushed peppermint for garnish: Adds sparkle and an irresistible look.
How to Make Chocolate Peppermint Bread: A Festive Holiday Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, making sure your loaf pan is greased or lined with parchment paper to prevent any sticking. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This blend ensures your bread will have a perfect rise and rich chocolate base before adding wet ingredients.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this step is crucial for a tender crumb and delicious texture. The creaming process aerates the batter, contributing to that soft, moist bread everyone will crave.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Extracts
Mix in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts, which will infuse your bread with layers of warm and minty flavors that are perfect for the holiday spirit.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Alternate adding the dry flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter, which could make the bread tough rather than tender.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Crushed Peppermint
Carefully fold in the mini chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies. These give the bread irresistible bursts of flavor and texture that make every slice feel special and festive.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Optional Glaze
For an extra festive touch, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and peppermint extract to create a glaze. Drizzle this over the cooled bread and sprinkle with additional crushed peppermint—this glaze adds sweetness and a beautiful, snowy finish to your loaf.
How to Serve Chocolate Peppermint Bread: A Festive Holiday Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance the look and flavor of your bread with delicate garnishes like fresh peppermint leaves or edible silver sprinkles. These little touches make your loaf irresistible and perfect for holiday parties or gift-giving.
Side Dishes
Pair this festive bread with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a hot cup of peppermint tea or coffee to complement the chocolate peppermint combination perfectly. The contrasts in temperature and sweetness make the experience extra special.
Creative Ways to Present
Wrap slices individually in festive wax paper or cellophane tied with ribbon for thoughtful homemade gifts. You can also serve the bread as part of a holiday brunch spread alongside other seasonal goodies like cranberry muffins and eggnog to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your Chocolate Peppermint Bread: A Festive Holiday Recipe tightly in plastic wrap or foil and keep it at room temperature for up to three days. This helps retain moisture and keeps the bread soft and fresh.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy the bread later, freezing is a great option. Wrap it securely in plastic wrap and foil before placing it in the freezer. It can last up to two months, allowing you to prepare ahead and enjoy holiday flavors anytime.
Reheating
To refresh frozen bread, thaw it at room temperature and warm slices gently in a toaster oven or microwave. This brings back the delightful softness and aroma that makes each bite feel as delicious as the first.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, you can substitute regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to mimic buttermilk’s acidity, which helps tenderize and soften the bread.
How strong is the peppermint flavor in this bread?
The peppermint extract is balanced to give a noticeable but not overpowering minty flavor, making it festive without masking the chocolate. You can adjust the amount to suit your taste.
Can I make this bread vegan?
With some ingredient swaps, like plant-based butter, egg replacers, and non-dairy milk with vinegar, you can adapt the recipe to be vegan, though results may vary slightly in texture.
Is it necessary to use crushed candy canes, or can I use other peppermint candies?
Crushed candy canes give the best crunch and classic look, but feel free to experiment with other peppermint candies as long as they are crushed finely enough to blend well into the batter.
What is the best way to slice the bread without it crumbling?
Use a serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion to slice the bread; this technique reduces crumbling and keeps each slice beautiful.
Final Thoughts
Inviting warmth, chocolate, and peppermint all into one festive loaf, this Chocolate Peppermint Bread: A Festive Holiday Recipe truly captures the magic of the season. It’s easy to make, delightful to share, and a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer. I can’t wait for you to try it and make this wonderful tradition your own!
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Chocolate Peppermint Bread: A Festive Holiday Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 10 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Chocolate Peppermint Bread is a delightful and festive holiday treat perfect for Christmas gatherings. Moist and rich with the flavors of cocoa and peppermint, it combines mini chocolate chips and crushed candy canes for a sweet and refreshing twist. Topped with an optional peppermint glaze, this American classic offers a perfect balance of chocolate and mint in every bite, ideal for holiday breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Add-ins
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- ½ cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies
Optional Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- Additional crushed peppermint for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using a mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract to infuse the batter with flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing and ensure the bread remains tender.
- Fold in Chocolate and Peppermint: Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candies, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the Bread: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely, which will make it easier to glaze and slice.
- Prepare the Glaze: If using the optional glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and peppermint extract in a small bowl until smooth.
- Glaze and Garnish: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread and sprinkle with additional crushed peppermint candies to enhance the festive look and flavor. Let the glaze set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- This bread can be made ahead and wrapped tightly to keep fresh for up to 3 days.
- For a richer chocolate flavor, use dark cocoa powder instead of regular unsweetened cocoa powder.
- If you prefer a milder peppermint taste, reduce the peppermint extract to ¼ teaspoon.
