Chocolate Candy Cane Loaves

Count down to Christmas is here. I am so excited and trying to enjoy every minute of it, minus the stress of course. The holiday's are about spending time with the ones you love most and celebrating the joys and blessings in your life. I can truly say that I am blessed for everything and everyone in my life. I give thanks every morning of every day, and I write ten things I am thankful for each day in my happiness journal every night. I cannot help but smile at this time of year, looking at the beautiful lights and decorations, and watching my most favorite movies, especially my all time favorite It's a Wonderful Life.

I cannot believe it, but my mother will start making her annual twelve batches of Christmas cookies starting next week. But I can believe how very excited I am to gobble them up, breakfast and dessert until they are gone! That is one of my favorite things about Christmas I have to say.

My home is decorated very old fashioned Christmas and I am absolutely in love with it. Throughout this season I will continue to share with you the beautiful, vintage decorations my mother has put together this year all through the house. And of course the beautifully decorated Christmas trees. This paired with the holiday sweets, pure joy and happiness.



Chocolate Candy Cane Loaves are pure Christmas. An adult peppermint treat, perfect for breakfast or an after dinner treat. The mint flavor is so refreshing and pairs perfectly with the deep chocolate flavor of the loaf. These make a perfect gift, incredibly festive and appealing. They would impress any recipient. And the taste, makes any person want to hang-up stockings and decorate gingerbread houses. Might I add, this is a lovely accompaniment to hot cocoa on a chilly, snowy night!

Chocolate Candy Cane Loaves

1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups brown sugar, packed
4 egg whites
2 eggs
3/4 cup strong brewed coffee
2 cups sour cream
1 1/2 tbsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. mint extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup baking cocoa
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Topping

4 oz white chocolate
1 or 2 tbsp. milk, as needed
crushed candy canes, as needed

1) Preheat oven to 350. Grease two loaf pans.
2) In a mixer bowl, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2 min.
Add egg whites and eggs, mixed until combined. Add coffee, 1 cup sour cream, and extracts, beat until blended.
3) In a medium sized bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; add to sugar mixture alternately with the last 1 cup sour cream, beating well after each addition. Fold in the chocolate chips.
4) Transfer batter to prepared loaf pans. Bake for 50-55 min or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for ten minutes and then remove loafs from pans. Allow to cool completely.
5) Melt white chocolate. Add milk slowly until desired consistency.
6) Drizzle white chocolate glaze over loaves and immediately sprinkle candy cane pieces over the top.

Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.