Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Prep

5 min

Cook

10 min

Total

15 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Ingredients

• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 4 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Marshmallows, whipped cream and mini candy canes, for serving

Instructions

1. Whisk the milk, cream, cocoa, sugar and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Heat until steaming and small bubbles appear around the edges. Do not boil.
3. Remove from the heat and whisk in the chopped chocolate until melted and smooth.
4. Stir in the peppermint and vanilla extracts. Taste and add more sugar if you like.
5. Pour into mugs and top with marshmallows or whipped cream and a candy cane.

Why this recipe works

Cocoa powder gives deep chocolate flavor, and real melted chocolate makes it thick and creamy. Heating until steaming but not boiling keeps the milk smooth.

Tips, substitutions & storage

• Swap: Use oat milk and coconut cream with dairy-free chocolate for a dairy-free drink.
• Swap: Crushed candy canes stirred in can replace the peppermint extract.
• Peppermint extract is strong — start with less and add to taste.
• For a dairy-free version, use oat milk and coconut cream with dairy-free chocolate.
• Reheat leftovers gently on the stove, whisking, within 2 days.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

Calories

380

Protein

10g

Carbs

40g

Fat

21g

Fiber

3g

Sugar

34g

Sodium

150mg

Nutrition information is an automatic estimate based on typical ingredients and will vary with the brands and amounts you use. It is not medical or dietary advice.