Trader Joe’s Peppermint Loaf Recipe

This Trader Joe’s Peppermint Loaf is a rich and moist recipe, which is made with cocoa powder and peppermint extract. It’s the perfect holiday dessert, ready in about 1 hour and 15 minutes, plus cooling time.

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Trader Joe’s Peppermint Loaf Ingredients

For the Loaf:

• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups cocoa powder, plus 1 tablespoon for dusting
• 3 cups sugar
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract

For the Ganache:

• 2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract

For Garnish:

• 2 tablespoons crushed peppermint candy

How To Make Trader Joe’s Peppermint Loaf

1. Prep the Oven and Pans: Preheat your oven to 325°F. Grease two loaf pans well with non-stick cooking spray. Dust the entire inside of the pans with one tablespoon of cocoa powder, tapping out any excess.
2. Heat the Liquid Base: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the coffee, buttermilk, butter, and cocoa powder. Stir until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat, transfer to a large mixing bowl, and set aside to cool.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Finish the Batter: Once the butter mixture has cooled, add the eggs and peppermint extract. Beat until well combined. Add the sifted flour mixture and beat until thoroughly mixed.
5. Bake the Loaves: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pans, filling them no more than 3/4 full. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
6. Cool the Loaves: Remove the loaves from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for at least 2 hours before turning them out onto a wire cooling rack to finish cooling completely.
7. Make the Ganache: Place the milk chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, milk, and peppermint extract into a small saucepan. Over low heat, stir the ingredients together until the chocolate has melted and the ganache is smooth.
8. Garnish and Serve: Spoon the ganache over the cooled loaves and immediately garnish with the crushed peppermint candy.

Recipe Tips

• How to prevent the loaf from sticking? The recipe includes a great tip: after greasing the pan, dust it with cocoa powder instead of flour. This helps the rich, dark loaf release easily without leaving any white flour residue on the outside.
• Can I make this without coffee? Yes, you can substitute the brewed coffee with an equal amount of hot water. However, the coffee doesn’t make the cake taste like coffee; it simply deepens and enhances the flavor of the chocolate.
• Why did my loaf sink in the middle? This is often a sign of underbaking. Loaf cakes are dense and need to be cooked through completely. Make sure a toothpick inserted into the very center comes out clean or with dry crumbs, not wet batter. Opening the oven door too early in the baking process can also cause it to sink.
• Can I use a different type of chocolate for the ganache? The mix of milk and dark chocolate creates a balanced, not-too-sweet topping. You could use all milk chocolate for a sweeter ganache or all dark/semisweet chocolate for a richer, less sweet one.

What To Serve With Peppermint Loaf

This festive loaf is a complete treat on its own, but it’s especially delicious with:

• A hot cup of coffee or a mocha latte
• A mug of rich hot chocolate
• A tall glass of cold milk
• A scoop of vanilla bean or peppermint ice cream

How To Store Peppermint Loaf

• Room Temperature: Store the cooled loaf in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay moist and fresh for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: For longer storage, you can freeze the unfrosted loaves. Let them cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting and garnishing.

Peppermint Loaf Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 407kcal
• Carbohydrates: 56g
• Protein: 6g
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Cholesterol: 59mg
• Sodium: 282mg
• Sugar: 38g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Trader Joe’s Palak Paneer Recipe
• Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Muffin Recipe
• Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Rice Stir Fry Recipe