Rich and creamy hot chocolate with a hint of peppermint, the perfect warm and comforting treat on a cold winters day

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Why make this hot chocolate?
Ingredients
Serving suggestions
Frequently Asked Questions
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

Why make this hot chocolate?

When it comes to Christmas I think of warm and comforting drinks and food, and nothing says comfort more than a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

This hot chocolate isn't like all the others. Made with melted dark chocolate and then sweetened with brown sugar, the resulting flavor is richer in chocolate and more sophisticated in flavor. And once you add a hint of peppermint extract it's game over.

A drink that represents the essence of Christmas. Trust me you're going to love it.

christmas peppermint french hot chocolate with whipped cream and candy canes

Ingredients

Whole milk: I love using whole milk as it gives the hot chocolate a smoother and richer flavor and mouthfeel. If you can't have whole milk you can definitely replace this with any kind of plant-based milk from almond and oat to soy!
Dark chocolate: Make sure you use dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa. This results in a richer, more chocolatey hot chocolate that isn't as sweet. I don't recommend white chocolate or milk chocolate as it results in a hot chocolate that is way too sweet. If you are in a pinch semi-sweet chocolate works too, just don't add the brown sugar.

Brown sugar: Brown sugar is added to sweeten the hot chocolate as the chocolate itself is not very sweet. You can increase or decrease the amount of sugar to your taste.
Peppermint extract: This is the key to having peppermint hot chocolate. Depending on how strong you like your peppermint flavor you can add more or less.

Heavy cream: Aka thickened cream! This is optional but stirring some whipped cream through your hot chocolate when serving mellows it out and takes it to another level
Candy canes: Not essential but so fun for the festive season! You can serve it with the hot chocolate as a stirrer for a Christmas touch.

Serving suggestions

There are so many different ways to serve this! Here are just a couple of my favorite suggestions:

As in the picture: With a dollop of whipped cream for a creamier hot chocolate
Top with marshmallows: Regular or mini marshmallows would be the perfect addition to this drink. Keep in mind that marshmallows are quite sweet so you can reduce the amount of brown sugar you add.

Top with peppermint candy canes: A sprinkling of crushed candy cane is a fitting topping for a peppermint drink!
Top with chocolate shavings: Up the chocolate flavor of this with more chocolate, you can also do this with a dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder

Serve with cookies for dipping: A plainer cookie like a tea biscuit or shortbread cookie would be perfect for dipping.
Serve with crusty bread or pastries: Crusty bread or a plain croissant would be perfect to dip into this hot chocolate.
Add a shot of espresso: This will make the most delicious peppermint mocha.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this last?

Ideally, you would be making this just before drinking it as it will be fresh and steaming warm. If you have leftovers you can store any remaining in the fridge for up to 2 days and heat it up in a small saucepan or microwave when ready to drink it.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you definitely can! Making this ahead of time will allow the flavors of the chocolate to intensify as it sits so there are no issues. When you are ready to serve just heat it up until it's just steaming. Make sure you don't overheat it as this can cause it to split.

Why are there flecks of chocolate floating in my hot chocolate?

The flecks of chocolate happen if the chocolate hasn't been melted properly into the milk. Make sure you heat the milk and chocolate gently over the stove or in the microwave and mix thoroughly until it's completely dissolved.

Let's Get Baking

If you're looking for a hot cocoa recipe over this holiday season look no further. This homemade hot chocolate recipe is going to make you so warm and comfy.

If you liked this recipe make sure to leave me a comment and rating down below, I would love to know how you went.

Also, don't forget to tag me on Instagram @catherine.desserts and hashtag #cattycakes so I can see and share your desserts. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube, and TikTok for more of my baking creations and updates! Until next time... happy caking!

📖 Recipe