Easy Chocolate Peppermint Loaf Cake

By sandiB2010

This time-saving recipe for a Chocolate Peppermint Loaf starts with a chocolate cake mix but produces a loaf you'd be proud to give and happy to receive. The addition of pudding mix and sour cream help create a moist and rich cake and the peppermint makes it perfect for the holidays.

Ingredients

• CAKE
• 1 (16.5 ounce) box devil's food cake mix
• 1 (3.5 ounce) box chocolate instant pudding mix
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup milk
• 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 cups mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, about 9 ounces
• TOPPING
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 1/4 teaspoons water
• 12 to 16 peppermint candies, chopped

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (325 degrees F for dark or nonstick pans and 2-3 minute longer baking times). Grease and lightly flour mini loaf pans.

In a large bowl, blend together mixes, sour cream, oil, eggs, water, milk and extract at low speed for 30 seconds. Continue mixing at medium speed for 1-2 minutes. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour batter into pans and bake for 30-35 minutes for mini loaves (40-50 minutes for full-sized loaf) or until top springs back to touch and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before removing from pan.

In a small bowl, stir together sugar and 1 teaspoon water. Add a few drops of water at a time to reach desired consistency. Drizzle over cooled cakes and top with candy pieces.

Tip: Mini chocolate chips will distribute throughout the cake and create a more uniform chocolaty texture. If using regular chocolate chips, toss them with a teaspoon of flour before incorporating to help keep them from sinking to the bottom of the pan.