Christmas Hot Chocolate Recipe: An Easy Peppermint Hot Chocolate

It's that time of year again! The best time to snuggle up with your kiddos and warm up with a cup of cocoa. My two year old loves the Penzey's Hot chocolate mix that grandma always gets him. They also have a mint flavor that we are yet to try! But when I have enough time, I like to make my own hot chocolate for my son. He loves this Christmas Hot Chocolate recipe. Sometimes I will even make a little snowman buddy out of a marshmallow and pretzels to add on top! You can see how to do that here. 

There is an easy way to make this with peppermint extract, but it is a bit more authentic to melt down the peppermints. I will give you both variations. Keep in mind, you can make this as chocolatey and pepperminty as you want. Also, I prefer homemade whipped cream for the top, which I easily make with heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in my KitchenAid. But you can always go with store-bought or mini marshmallows.

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 4 cups of milk
• 1 pinch of salt
• 3 crushed peppermint sticks (or 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract)
• toppings: whipped cream, whole peppermint stick and/or hot cocoa buddy

• In a large saucepan, heat milk over medium heat. Slowly whisk in cocoa powder until dissolved.
• Add chocolate chips and crushed peppermint (or peppermint extract). 
• Simmer over medium heat until chocolate chips (and crushed peppermint) have melted (about 10 minutes).
• As soon as Christmas hot chocolate boils, remove from heat. Add pinch of salt and then ladle into mugs.
• Add optional toppings: whipped cream, marshmallows, full peppermint stick. Serve immediately.

There you have it: our easy, Christmas Hot Chocolate recipe. Please leave us a comment and let us know how yours came out.

You may also like reading about Cooking with Kids.