Look at that beauty, who wouldn’t want that for Christmas? It is so yummy and so easy to make.

I also made some smaller loaves in my Nordic Ware Mini Holiday Loaf Pan for our annual Book Group book exchange (which we held outside with masks on). I had those cute little trays to put the mini loaves in but there was still room in the tray so I made some chocolate dipped Oreos but then there was still room left in the tray so I added some Christmas chocolates and then a gold fork and the tray was complete!

If you’re looking for an easy neighbor gift, this is a great option!

BREAD

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1 3/4 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

GLAZE

1 1/3 cups chocolate chips

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup butter

1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

2 crushed candy canes or you can buy crushed peppermint in bags at Michaels or Gygis because crushing candy canes is a pain in the neck

1 For the bread, preheat oven to 350. Spray loaf pan with cooking spray for baking.

2 Cream butter and sugar together. Add in eggs and sour cream and beat until smooth and creamy. Add in dry ingredients and mix until combined. Stir in chocolate chips and peppermint extract.

3 Spoon batter into prepared pan and bake 50 – 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

4 Let bread rest in pan for 20 minutes before removing and allowing to cool completely.

5 For the glaze, pour chocolate chips into a medium size bowl.

6 Melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat. Add in cream when butter is just about melted. Increase heat slightly and using a whisk, stir constantly, but gently. Heat until mixture just barely comes to a boil. Pour over chocolate in bowl. Stir gently until smooth. Stir in extract. Let cool then drizzle over bread and top with crushed peppermints.

Yield: 1 loaf (I doubled the recipe and ended up with 1 regular size loaf, 8 mini loaves, and 6 mini cakes, doughnut in size.)

recipe from Butter with a Side of Bread