Easy Peppermint Hot Chocolate
This Christmas, we’ll sip on this rich, easy Peppermint Hot Chocolate and revel in the spirit of the holidays while gathering with family.
Hot cocoa is perfect for winter family gatherings. It’s a fabulous way to warm up after an afternoon of sledding, skiing, caroling, or while sitting around a roaring fire on a cold evening. If you’re addicted to Starbucks’ Peppermint Hot Chocolate, save some money and make it at home!
Why You Must Make
My childhood memories of the holidays include hours on the nearby Arboretum’s sledding hill with my dad and three sisters. His job was to keep our excited, wound-up little souls out of my mom’s hair as she prepared our Christmas feast. We loved returning home, rosy-cheeked, and having a mug of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows to help warm us up. Granted, it was milk heated on the stovetop, then doctored up with Hershey’s syrup.
- This homemade recipe is much richer and more indulgent than any powdered version.
- It’s a wonderful indulgence for the holidays or when you have company on a chilly day.
- The addition of peppermint and festive toppings make it worthy for Christmas or New Year’s!
When to Serve
- It’s a wonderful way to warm up after an afternoon of sledding, ice skating or skiing.
- Or invite your friends over for a cup after caroling in your neighborhood.
- Hot chocolate is featured in numerous holiday movies from (affiliate links) The Polar Express, The Santa Clause to The Holiday (a rom-com that my daughter and I love!).
- So grab your favorite family holiday flick, cook up some of this ultra-creamy peppermint hot cocoa, and reminisce about the joys of seasons past. The true spirit of the holidays is to focus on those near and dear to you, and this time spent together is priceless.
How to Make
- Start by simmering whole milk and cream with rich Dutch cocoa powder and semi-sweet chocolate.
- Add vanilla, sugar, and peppermint extract to round out the flavors perfectly.
- Serve with your favorite hot chocolate toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, etc.
Recipe Tips
- Using whole milk with a higher percentage of butterfat and heavy cream ensures a luscious texture.
- PRO-Tip: Stir your milk while heating to prevent scorching the bottom and while it’s cooling to prevent a skin from forming across the surface.
- This is super rich. Serve in small cups, but have seconds available!
- PRO-Tip: Remember that peppermint extract is potent. Don’t be tempted to add more as it will overwhelm the other flavors.
- A touch of peppermint schnapps instead of the extract is a fun option for adults.
- PRO-Tip: Offer a wide variety of your favorite toppings to make an interactive hot chocolate bar. Marshmallows of all sizes, crushed candy canes, chocolate curls, and sweetened whipped cream are all delicious options! Even my peppermint-snubbing hubby drank a mug!
Frequently Asked Questions
The major difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa is that hot chocolate gets its chocolate flavor from melted chocolate, and hot cocoa uses cocoa powder. The former is richer, but both versions are delicious!
Use whole milk, cream, or half-and-half for the best texture and mouthfeel. The fat in dairy products will make a richer, smoother hot chocolate.
Use your cooktop so you can monitor the process closely to avoid scorching or having it boil over. Heat to a simmer, which means that tiny bubbles just begin to break the surface (185° F). Stir frequently to prevent the bottom from burning.
You May Also Like:
- Swirled Peppermint Bark
- Peppermint Bark Snowflakes
- 30+ Christmas Cookies
- Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce
- Hot Chocolate Bombs
- Plus more of the Best Holiday Recipes
Easy Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
Rich, silky cocoa with a peppermint twist!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Dutch processed cocoa powder (regular cocoa powder can be used, too)
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼-1 teaspoon peppermint extract (to taste)
- Sweetened whipped cream, to serve
- Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies, to serve
- Shaved chocolate, to serve
- Marshmallows, to serve
Instructions
- Simmer ¾ cup water in a medium saucepan. Whisk in cocoa powder until smooth.
- Add milk and cream and return to a simmer.
- Continue cooking and whisk in chocolate and sugar until chocolate is melted and sugar dissolves.
- Mix in vanilla and peppermint extract. Start with ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract, taste, and add more to get the intensity you desire.
- Use a ladle to pour hot chocolate into mugs or cups.
- Serve topped with sweetened whipped cream and garnish with crushed candy canes, marshmallows, and/or chocolate shavings if desired.
Notes
Make a hot chocolate bar by putting the hot chocolate in a carafe along with bowls of optional toppings!
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1 mugAmount Per Serving: Calories: 376Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 57mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 3gSugar: 36gProtein: 6g
50 Comments on “Easy Peppermint Hot Chocolate”
I like that I can use it in the oven, and it’s so pretty!
I love that it is oven and broiler safe so I can truly cook whatever I want.
I like the flared edges!
My son would love these the most! 😀
Its freezing here, I definitely need a warm up!
My favorite feature is the flared edges for drip-free pouring. I always make a mess when I pour things out of my pans! Also, I’m so drinking hot cocoa as I type this. YUM!
Hot chocolate is one of those things that makes the cold weather totally worth it!
I love that it is oven and broiler safe.
This is perfect for a super chilly day!
This cookware is so pretty and I love that it is broiler safe. I’ve lined up my movies that keep me company while baking and “The Holiday” is one of them, and I want to sip on this hot chocolate when I take a break.
Aww love that you do family movie night! Holiday traditions are the best and this looks like a keeper.
I love that it is dishwasher safe, over safe too.
I love that it’s hand crafted. I love the flared sides. Also that the handles are cool to the touch. It’s just a gorgeous set. Thank you for this opportunity.
So perfect for Christmas!
I love peppermint hot chocolate and yours looks incredible. I love that your Dad took you kids out on Christmas Day. We have a park at the end of our street and my Dad would take us so we could toboggan down the hill. So much fun.
Crushing on that casserole pot. I’d use it constantly if I had one. I love the shape of the handle on the lid. I’m all for handles being comfortable.
This hot chocolate sounds wonderful. I will have to make this for my granddaughter, she loves hot chocolate. It sounds like you have great memories when it comes to hot chocolate, so fun.
Tis the season for chocolate and peppermint. So festive. GREG
OMG the Lagostina pan set is LUXE!!
what an awesome cup of goodness! Then on top of it a great givieaway!
First of all, I have “pot envy.” Since being from Colorado you might think I’m talking about the real deal, I am not. Your new Lagostina pots and pans are gorgeous. Perfect for your upcoming new kitchen. Remember when I posted and wrote abouyt the Little Nell’s “best in the world” hot chocolate which cost about $15 a cup? Yours looks better. Happy Holidays.