Chocolate Peppermint Bread: A Festive Loaf with Rich Cocoa and Cooling Mint

Chocolate Peppermint Bread is the kind of seasonal treat that instantly brings holiday charm to your kitchen. It strikes a beautiful balance between deep chocolate richness and refreshing peppermint, creating a loaf that feels both indulgent and uplifting. I once tried making it with a splash of warm milk instead of water in the batter, and the loaf turned out even softer and more tender. Whether you enjoy it as a dessert, a breakfast sweet, or a giftable holiday bake, this bread never disappoints. Its aroma alone fills the room with the unmistakable warmth of winter festivities. This recipe is also wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to add mix-ins, glazes, or toppings depending on how decadent you want it to be. With minimal effort and familiar pantry ingredients, Chocolate Peppermint Bread becomes a holiday staple worth revisiting each year.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This bread is rich yet balanced, festive without being overly sweet, and perfect for sharing. It stores well, slices neatly, and bakes evenly, making it an excellent choice for gatherings, potlucks, and edible gifts. The blend of chocolate and mint provides a refreshing contrast that feels timeless and comforting.

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Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

This recipe combines classic baking staples with peppermint to create a loaf that bakes up moist, fragrant, and deeply chocolatey. Each ingredient serves a specific purpose in achieving the ideal structure and flavour.

All-purpose flour forms the foundation of the loaf, providing the structure needed for an even rise.
Cocoa powder delivers that rich chocolate base, creating depth and colour in each slice.
Granulated sugar sweetens the loaf while supporting moisture retention.
Baking powder and baking soda ensure the bread rises properly and maintains a tender crumb.
Salt enhances the chocolate flavour and balances sweetness.
Eggs contribute richness and stability, helping the bread hold together while remaining moist.
Vegetable oil adds essential moisture and keeps the crumb soft for several days.
Milk blends smoothly into the batter, improving tenderness and overall texture.
Peppermint extract infuses the loaf with its signature cool, refreshing flavour.
Chocolate chips melt throughout the loaf, adding pockets of gooey richness.
Crushed peppermint candies provide a festive crunch and a boost of minty sweetness, especially on top.

Directions

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a standard loaf pan or lining it with parchment paper for easy release. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and prevents clumping. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, oil, and peppermint extract until smooth. Gradually combine the wet and dry mixtures, stirring gently until just incorporated. Overmixing can create a dense loaf, so a light hand works best here.

Fold in the chocolate chips and pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top and sprinkle with crushed peppermint candies if desired. Bake for 50–60 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick inserted into the centre. It should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Cooling helps the crumb set fully and allows flavours to develop. Serve the bread warm or at room temperature, letting the chocolate and mint shine.

Equipment needed :

Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling

Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.

Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.

large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.

Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.

Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.

Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.

9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.

knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease

Servings and timing

This recipe yields one standard loaf, providing approximately 10 slices. Preparation takes about 15 minutes, and baking requires 50–60 minutes, depending on your oven.

Storage/reheating

Store the bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to four days. For longer storage, freeze slices individually and thaw as needed. Reheat gently in a warm oven to revive the soft texture and chocolate aroma.

Variations and Customizations

Double Chocolate Peppermint Loaf
Add extra chocolate chips or swirl in chocolate ganache before baking.

White Chocolate Peppermint Bread
Fold white chocolate chips into the batter for a sweeter, creamier contrast.

Mocha Peppermint Version
Add a teaspoon of instant coffee to the batter to deepen the chocolate flavour.

Glazed Holiday Loaf
Top with a simple vanilla or peppermint glaze and finish with crushed candy.

Mint Chocolate Chip Bread
Use mini chocolate chips and increase peppermint extract for stronger mint notes.

Nutty Chocolate Loaf
Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch and richness.

Chocolate Orange Twist
Add orange zest for a bright, citrusy complement to the chocolate.

Marbled Chocolate Peppermint Bread
Swirl in vanilla batter for a striking visual effect and balanced flavour.

Low-Sugar Version
Reduce sugar slightly and use dark chocolate chips to maintain richness.

Festive Topping Variation
Sprinkle crushed cookies, chocolate shavings, or holiday sprinkles before baking.

FAQs

Can I use peppermint oil instead of peppermint extract?

Yes, but peppermint oil is much stronger. Use only a very small amount.

Can I replace the milk with nondairy alternatives?

Yes, almond or oat milk works well without affecting texture.

Do I need to use crushed peppermint on top?

No, it is optional, though it adds pleasant crunch and festive appeal.

Can I make this bread gluten-free?

Yes, substitute a gluten-free baking blend designed for 1:1 replacements.

How do I prevent the loaf from becoming too dense?

Mix gently and avoid overworking the batter once wet and dry ingredients are combined.

Can I bake this in mini loaf pans?

Yes, reduce baking time to 22–30 minutes depending on size.

What type of cocoa powder should I use?

Unsweetened natural cocoa powder works best for balance and rise.

Can I add frosting instead of glaze?

Yes, a peppermint or chocolate frosting creates a more decadent dessert-style loaf.

Why did my peppermint candies melt into the loaf?

Some brands melt more readily; add them in the final minutes of baking to retain crunch.

Can I make this ahead for gifting?

Absolutely; the loaf stays moist for several days and slices beautifully.

Conclusion

Chocolate Peppermint Bread is a festive, flavourful bake that brings together velvety chocolate and refreshing peppermint in one irresistible loaf. With its moist crumb, adaptable mix-ins, and beautiful holiday aroma, it suits both everyday enjoyment and special seasonal moments. Whether given as a gift or served warm beside a cup of coffee, this bread offers the comforting indulgence that defines the holiday spirit.

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