Desserts/candy cane chocolate loaves

Serves: 36

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

From: Taste of Home

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter, softened

1-2/3 cups packed brown sugar

4 egg whites

2 eggs

3/4 cup strong brewed coffee

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

1/4 cup canola oil

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup baking cocoa

1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups buttermilk

1 cup (6 ounces) miniature semisweet chocolate chips

TOPPING

1/3 cup vanilla or white chips

3 tablespoons crushed candy canes

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add the egg whites, eggs, coffee, yogurt, oil and extracts until blended.

Step 2

Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Fold in chocolate chips.

Step 3

Transfer to three 8-in x 4-in. loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Topping

For topping, in a microwave, melt vanilla chips; stir until smooth. Drizzle over loaves. Sprinkle with crushed candies. Yield: 3 loaves (12 slices each).