Chocolate Chunk Peppermint Loaf

I recently came across a news article mentioning the Costco Chocolate Peppermint Loaf and thought this was something we had to have, so we went to work and made our own safe & sweet version. The smell of this in the oven screamed the holidays and we shared with some friends who LOVED it!

This loaf features a rich chocolate peppermint cake base that’s sprinkled throughout with sweet chocolate chunks, then topped with icing and delectable pieces of peppermint candy.

For these we used our Chocolate Cake Mix and Vanilla Frosting Mix.  The first step to making these is to gather all your ingredients and supplies.

Chocolate Chunk Peppermint Loaf Ingredients Needed:

• Kate’s Safe & Sweet Chocolate Cake Mix
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup rice milk or milk of choice (plain oat milk was used for the cake in this recipe)
  • 4 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1/2 tsp pure peppermint extract
  • 3/4 cup chocolate chunks (you can use chocolate chips if you can’t find chunks)

Cake Tools Needed

• Mixing bowl(s)
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Spatula 
• Loaf Pan

Cupcake Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and place your oven rack in the middle of the oven. Prepare your cake pan with parchment paper on the bottom and cooking spray. Set the pan aside. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk of choice with the apple cider vinegar and set aside.
3. Add the chocolate cake mix into a medium bowl and milk and apple cider vinegar mixture, oil, and peppermint extract.  Stir well making sure everything is well incorporated.  Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to get all the ingredients mixed.
4. Fold in the chocolate chunks.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin tins or cake pan (s). 
6. Place in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes
7. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on wire rack.  
8. Prepare glaze frosting as per below and frost when completely cooled.

Vanilla Glaze Frosting Ingredients Needed:

• Kate’s Safe & Sweet Vanilla Frosting Mix
• up to 4 teaspoons of Rice milk (or safe milk of your choice)
• 1/2 teaspoon of pure peppermint extract (more if you like it stronger in peppermint flavor)
• Crushed candy canes for garnish

Tools Needed:

• Mixing bowl(s)
• Spatula
• Measuring spoon
• Measuring cup
• Hand mixer or stand mixer

Instructions:

1. Combine frosting mix and milk in a medium bowl. Since we are making more of a glaze you don’t need butter or shortening.
2. Add peppermint extract and the remaining frosting mix and mix until well combined and smooth.
3. Add more milk if needed.
4. Once the cake is cooled pour glaze over the loaf.
5. Top with crushed candy canes.

Since this is more of a glazed frosting you’ll pour it oven and allow it to run down the sides. This is not only tasty but pretty too!

This looks so pretty and festive and would make a great addition to your holiday dessert platters.

This dessert is absolute perfection for Christmas or any other winter holiday.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!