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
Jen @JuanitasCocina
I am SO trying your corn syrup in the cocoa trick. I mean, how can that be bad?
Happy day #2, love. Let's go take a Christmas nap together!
Kim Beaulieu
It totally works. I love the sweet taste of it. Honey is nice before bed. But corn syrup all the way during the day. And the more the better.
Happy Day 2. I wish we could nap together, it makes me think of that Friends episode where Joey and Ross nap together. SO funny. Naps rule. Better shared with friends. After a hug mug of hot chocolate. With lots of corn syrup. xx
Stacy
Gorgeous photos, as usual, Kim! But I am completely over the moon at the crushed peppermints around the rim of those mugs! What a great idea. Which I will totally be using in the coming weeks as I freeze my boo-boo off in New England for holidays. Your peppermint wands are lovely too!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks Stacy. I was so nervous about these ones since they are artificial light. I'm trying to tackle night time shots but it's so hard.
I love rimming everything. If I could find a way to successfully rim a plate with steak sauce for grilling adventures I'd be a happy girl.
I also like stir sticks, as you can tell the last couple of days. It's surprising I don't have a craft/diy blog since I'm so into that kind of stuff. The more girlie the better.
Monica Latimer
This is yet another yummy post! Lunatic I am going to blame you for ALL of my winter weight gain!!
Kim Beaulieu
Ha, I figure it makes me look skinnier if I make all my readers need stretchy pants. It's winter, throw caution to the wind and drink full fat milk with chocolate. Life is short, sweaters are long. Just avoid skinny jeans, they're the work of the devil anyway. xx
Monica Latimer
I would like the red if I win please!
Kim Beaulieu
Red would be lovely.
Rachel R
Love the blue set!
Kim Beaulieu
I used to have a blue kitchen. I still have tons of blue stoneware. Very pretty things, I should use them in photos more.
Nicole
The red utensil set would look nice on my counters!!
Kim Beaulieu
Good luck Nicole.
Tara
Can I have a hot chocolate please, that looks so very good.
Kim Beaulieu
You can have as many as you like milady. Thanks for visiting. xx
itzia
I'd like cherry red color utensil set
Kim Beaulieu
I love cherry red. It's so pretty. Good luck.
Shari
This looks like great fun with the grandkids!! I would pick the Marseille color!
Kim Beaulieu
They would be. Such a cute craft if you made the wands for them.
That colour is gorgeous. Good luck.
Carol Ann Maupin
Would love to have the blue one!
Kim Beaulieu
Blue is a very peaceful colour, I loved my blue kitchen at my first place. Good luck.
charj
I would pick the Marseille
Kim Beaulieu
Good choice. Good luck. xx
Bernadette
That is the prettiest hot chocolate I've ever seen! Sharing now!
Kim Beaulieu
Awe, thanks so much. I love hot chocolate. Drink it regularly around here. Especially while I read. We have a wood fireplace downstairs and I love sitting down there with a book and mug of cocoa.
Athena R
Flame or Fennel
Kim Beaulieu
I like both of those colours. Good luck.
John@Kitchen Riffs
I'm a real peppermint fan, too. Goes great with chocolate! I haven't made hot chocolate in years. I need to. Then find a blankie, and sit next to the fire!
Kim Beaulieu
It just works so well together. I know lots of folks do white chocolate with peppermint but I'm a milk chocolate gal myself. I love our fireplace and need to use it more. We have a wood burning one in the basement. It's just a pain to get it set up. I need to buy some of those quick light logs.
I need to email you. We're doing a 1 day Cocktail Day on the 28th, thought maybe you'd want in.
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig
The cutest thing ever my friend.
Kim Beaulieu
Awe thanks Cathy. I had fun with this. So much so I almost ruined my mom's tea cart. I tend to get carried when I play with my shots. Thanks so much for the kind comment. xx
Wendy (The Weekend Gourmet)
Well now...I must have this soon. LOVE the peppermint rim...it's festive and amplifies the peppermint. I'm another peppermint FIEND!
Kim Beaulieu
Thanks Wendy. I love rimming any kind of glass or mug. It just makes it so much more fun and festive for sure.
Peppermint rules.
Rebecca
I'm torn between the red and blue! They are both so cute! I might have to go with blue though.
Kim Beaulieu
I would have such a hard time deciding myself. All the colours are fabulous. Good luck.
rachel
Do they come in purple? I love purple.
Kim Beaulieu
Not that I'm aware of. Here's the list of colours for Le Creuset items for you to peruse: http://www.lecreuset.ca/en-ca/Product/Product-Overview/New-Colour/
Candice
I'm in need of some new spatulas! These would be perfect!!
Kim Beaulieu
They would be indeed, good luck Candice.
Candice
BTW I would LOVE them in this blue, Marseille color. So pretty!
Kim Beaulieu
Blue would be amazing.