This homemade peppermint hot chocolate recipe is made with crushed candy canes and dark chocolate chips.
Yesterday was our first real snowstorm. It has snowed a few times this year, but it has always been a small amount that quickly melted. Yesterday when we woke there was already 6 inches on the ground and it was still snowing. Even better, the temperature was dropping, so that meant the snow was going to stick around for a little while.
Snow is a mixed blessing. I love playing in it, but we live in the country, so snow also means a lot of extra work! After we came in from blanketing horses, I made candy cane hot cocoa, which happens to be my favorite hot chocolate recipe, to warm us all up. Well, to warm all the humans, because horses can not eat candy canes, peppermints, or chocolate and they really shouldn't eat refined sugar.
How to Make Peppermint Hot Chocolate Using Candy Canes
It is so easy to make this hot chocolate and it has the perfect ratio of peppermint to chocolate going on. I make my peppermint hot chocolate using crushed candy canes and dark chocolate which creates a cup of cocoa with a smooth texture and bold flavors.
I have shared a recipe that serves 4 people below, but you can easily make this for one person by combining 1 cup of milk, 1 crushed candy cane, and 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips in a pot. Cook over medium heat until the candy cane and chocolate have melted and the milk is hot, but not boiling and you have a warm cup of liquid awesomeness!
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of milk
- 4 candy canes, crushed
- 3 ounces dark chocolate (or ½ cup dark chocolate chips)
Optional Toppings:
- 4 candy canes to use as stir sticks
- whipped cream
- crushed candy cane for garnish
Directions:
-
- Add milk, crushed candy canes, and chocolate to a medium saucepan.
- Cook over a medium flame, whisking occasionally as the candy canes and chocolate melt.
- As the candy and chocolate melt, whisk more vigorously to incorporate ingredients.
- Do not let the milk boil as that will cause it to form a skin.
- Divide the hot chocolate between 4 cups; and if you wish to, top the cocoa with whipped cream and crushed candy canes. Then add a candy cane stirring stick.
Printable Recipe for Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk
- 4 candy canes crushed
- 3 ounces dark chocolate or ½ cup dark chocolate chips
Optional Toppings:
- 4 candy canes to use as stir sticks
- whipped cream
- crushed candy cane for garnish
Instructions
- Add the crushed candy canes, chocolate, and milk to a medium saucepan.
- Cook over a medium flame, whisking occasionally as the candy canes and chocolate melt.
- As the candy and chocolate melt, whisk more vigorously to incorporate ingredients.
- Do not let the milk boil as that will cause it to form a skin.
- Divide the hot chocolate between 4 cups; and if you wish to, top the cocoa with whipped cream and crushed candy canes. Then add a candy cane stirring stick.
More Hot Cocoa Recipes:
Mexican Hot Cocoa – A Spicy Hot chocolate Recipe
Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate – with 4 Dairy-Free Hot Cocoa Recipe Variations
How to Set Up a Hot Cocoa Bar – Plus 10 Hot Chocolate Recipes
Laurie says
I can’t wait to try this! I’m going to garnish it with these twisty candy canes from my new blog.
http://frostingandasmile.com/fun-candy-cane-shapes-and-swizzle-sticks/
Jenn T says
The candy cane cocoa sounds wonderful!! Just the thing you might want around a cozy fire pit during this cooler fall weather. Jenn T (www.backyardfirepitfun.com)