Peppermint Flavoured Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Wands are perfect for the holidays. Whip up a giant batch today!
This peppermint hot chocolate is spectacular and easy to make and the chocolate covered peppermint wands are a huge hit with guests!
I'm a huge peppermint nut. I just love the stuff. I found out years ago it helps soothe tummy woes. Since then I've taken to drinking peppermint hot chocolate since I'm not a tea drinker.
This is great when I'm sitting by the fireplace after dinner reading. I curl up with a book and a mug of this peppermint hot chocolate and I'm a happy girl. With a happy belly.
The Chocolate Covered Wands are just fun. I love making things like this for the holiday season. They make great gifts for teachers if you're looking for some homemade ideas.
I used to make chocolate covered wands then I'd do a hot chocolate kit in a jar with a beautiful tag. Honestly, who wouldn't love that as a gift for the holidays?
I'd hug you if you gave me a gift like that. And those who know me know I'm not a huggie kind of a gal. But for hot chocolate I'd hug anyone. Not even kidding.
I think you need to make some of this immediately. Then bring it over to my house. We'll sit by the fire together. I might even share my blankie with you.
Ingredient Notes:
For the Peppermint Wands:
- Wands - You can use peppermint sticks or candy canes to make these. Even mini candy canes will work.
- Candy Melts - I used white candy melts for this one but feel free to use whatever you like.
- Powdered Sugar - You will be using this to coat the the wands. I recommend coating some in crushed peppermints and some in powdered sugar.
- Peppermints - Personally, I love Starbright peppermints but use any kind you like. You can also crush candy canes. Stores sell already crushed peppermint now too.
For the Peppermint Hot Chocolate:
- Milk - I love using 2% milk for hot chocolate. It's richer which I really love.
- Cocoa Powder - Use good quality cocoa powder. You could also use melted chocolate if you prefer.
- Sugar - This recipe uses brown sugar for a bit of sweetness.
- Corn Syrup - If you're gasping right now, I get it. Some people hate it. Personally, I love using it in hot chocolate recipes. You can substitute honey if you prefer. It also works great for lining the rim of cups and then pressing crushed peppermints on it so they stick really well.
- Extract - I used vanilla extract and peppermint extract for this peppermint hot chocolate. The peppermint extract gives it a special holiday flavour.
- Peppermints - Use crushed peppermints for the rim. Or as a garnish on top of whipped cream.
- Marshmallows - Mini marshmallows are the way to go for hot chocolate. Use as many as you like. No judgement!
- Whipped Cream - Adding whipped cream adds a nice richness to the hot chocolate. Plus you can decorate the top of it with crushed peppermints.
How to Make Peppermint Hot Chocolate
For the Peppermint Wands:
-
First of all, melt the candy melts in a double boiler over simmering water. You can also melt them in the microwave in a glass microwave safe bowl. If the mixture is too thick then add a little vegetable oil. Honestly, thicker is better for coating these.
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Next, once the candy melt mixture is smooth take a spoon and drizzle over peppermint sticks. Or dunk the peppermint sticks into the bowl.
- Then you can dip them in crushed peppermints or powdered sugar for extra pizazz!
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Next, place the peppermint sticks on a parchment lined cookie sheet to dry.
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Quick Note: Make sure your candy melts are not piping hot or you will melt the candy cane. Allow to cool slightly before dunking.
For the Peppermint Hot Chocolate:
- First, combine the milk, chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar and corn syrup in a large saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring to melt the chocolate and warm the milk. Don't scorch it, allow it to warm up gently so you don't scorch it.
- Then, once the chocolate is melted and the hot chocolate is piping hot you can add the extracts. Stir and remove from the heat.
- Line the rims of your mugs before pouring the hot chocolate, if desired. For my mugs I brushed some corn syrup around the rims, then dunked them in crushed peppermints.
- Next, pour the hot chocolate into the mugs.
- The, top the hot chocolate with marshmallows, or whipped cream, or both.
- Serve!
More Holiday Recipes:
- Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
- Coconut Filled Sandwich Cookies
- Microwave Peanut Brittle
- Easy Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
- Oreo Bark
- Chocolate Peppermint Bark
- Nutella Hot Chocolate
- White Chocolate Oreo Cookie Balls
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Peppermint Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Wands
Ingredients
For the Peppermint Wands:
For the Peppermint Hot Chocolate:
- 4 cup milk I like 2% for hot chocolate, it's richer
- 8 oz milk chocolate
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup corn syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp peppermint extract more or less depending on your taste
- Crushed peppermints for the rims
- Marshmallows
- Whipped Cream
Instructions
For the Peppermint Wands:
- Melt you candy melts in a double boiler over simmering water, if too thick add a little vegetable oil. But thicker is better for coating these.
- Once it's smooth take a spoon and drizzle over peppermint sticks.
- Lay on a parchment lined cookie sheet to dry.
- You can dunk them in crushed peppermints or sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cute and yummy!
- Make sure your candy melts are not piping hot or you will melt the candy cane. Allow to cool slightly before dunking.
For the Peppermint Hot Chocolate:
- Combine the milk, chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar and corn syrup in a large saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring to melt the chocolate and warm the milk. Don't scorch it, allow it to warm up gently, you can always dial it back to a medium low if it's heating too quickly.
- Once the chocolate is melted, and the hot chocolate is piping hot you can add the extracts, stir and remove from heat.
- Line the rims if desired by rubbing them with corn syrup then dunking in crushed peppermints.
- Pour hot chocolate into mugs.
- Top with marshmallows, or whipped cream, or both.
- Serve with a big old pepperminty smile!
Notes
Nutrition
Brandie (@ Home Cooking Memories)
Peppermint and hot chocolate is one of my most favorite combos ever. Love how pretty it looks on the cups.
Kate@Diethood
This looks so wintery and wonderful! I loooove the peppermint wands!