Hot tea has its place forever in my heart, along with Chai Lattes, Cafe con Leche, London Fogs, and Hot Buttered Rum. But there is something special about a cup of cocoa that just beckons me to sit down in front of the Christmas tree and savor the moment. Mix together a batch of this peppermint hot cocoa mix today and have it ready for easy hot chocolate through the holiday season.
Ever since I made homemade hot chocolate for the first time a few years ago, and subsequently laughed at myself for thinking it was going to be difficult, I haven’t bought another store-bought hot cocoa mix. Simple Homemade Cocoa requires nothing but unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar, and milk. You can add chocolate chips, vanilla, whipped cream, miniature marshmallows, fluffy homemade marshmallows, just about anything fun or fancy will make it extra special. Like at least half the people I know, I frequently stir my hot cocoa with a candy cane or drop a peppermint candy into the bottom of the mug. On the opposite end of the chocolate milk spectrum is a tasty Frozen Mint Chocolate Milk.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
As I was stirring my cocoa with a candy cane the other day, while watching Sean and the boys set up our Christmas tree, I decided to see if I could grind up some peppermint candies and make a ready-to-use hot cocoa mix to enjoy all through the holidays. As I was hoping it would, the blender turned the peppermint candies into powder, and everything dissolved beautifully. This is the smoothest, creamiest, peppermint hot cocoa I could have imagined. Pulsing the candy in a food processor or powerful blender will finely crush it and reduce it into candy dust in just a few seconds. You can also drop the candy into a sturdy ziploc bag and smash it with a rolling pin until it’s all crushed.
Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix
unsweetened cocoa powder dark cocoa powder granulated sugar finely crushed candy canes or peppermints
For a present that truly won’t be forgotten, wrap up a jar of this Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix along with a package of these Almond Bars, Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups, or these Chocolate S’mores Cookies. A package of Homemade Marshmallows tied with a ribbon and a candy cane also makes a great gift along with some cocoa mix.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Directions
{originally published 12/5/14 – recipe notes and photos updated 12/10/21}
