Kick up your hot chocolate game this winter by making and serving this delicious PEPPERMINT WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE! It's like a holiday hug from the inside out!
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Picture serving up a few mugs of this Peppermint White Hot Chocolate after being outside sledding or building a snowman with the kids or the grandkids in the freshly fallen snow.
Or you could enjoy a hot, steamy mug while sitting beside a roaring fire and watching your favorite Christmas movie.
Whenever you decide to enjoy a cup of this peppermint hot chocolate, I know it will be a relaxing moment, so savor every sip!
Jump to:
- The ingredient list
- Ingredient savvy
- How to make homemade extracts
- Can this recipe be made in a slow cooker
- How many servings does this recipe make?
- Can this recipe be increased to serve more than four people?
- How to store leftovers
- Can cocoa powder be used in this recipe
- Can alcohol be added to peppermint white hot chocolate for the adults
- FAQs
- Additional recipes featuring peppermint
- Printable Recipe Card
The ingredient list
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a new "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart is available in the printable recipe card.
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Ingredient savvy
I chose to use half-and-half when I made this peppermint hot chocolate recipe because that's what I had on hand. But please feel free to use heavy cream for an even richer flavor experience.
The peppermint candy I used (as shown in the video) is the round starlight mints found in the grocery store all year. Feel free to use whatever peppermint candy you have or can find. You'll need approximately 1 cup of crushed peppermint candy.
Of course, at this time of year, candy canes are everywhere. But as a reminder, if you crush candy canes, make sure to save a few whole candy canes for garnishing your hot chocolate before serving.
For the very best flavor always use pure vanilla, and pure peppermint extracts and steer clear of the words imitation or flavoring. Vanilla beans or vanilla bean paste can also be used in this recipe if desired. (To learn how to make your own flavored extracts check out the video below.)
Sweetened condensed milk is used in this recipe in place of granulated sugar. Sweetened condensed milk is whole milk that has been heated gently until 60% of its water has been evaporated, which in turn pasteurizes the milk. Sugar is added, resulting in thick, creamy, and deliciously sweet milk.
Are sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk the same thing? Nope! As the name suggests, evaporated milk has the water removed (i.e., evaporated). And sweetened condensed milk has the water removed and sugar added.
I used the popular brand name of white chocolate chips, but you can easily substitute a bar of white chocolate (chopped). You'll need approximately 1¼ cups of chips or chopped chocolate.
Or might I suggest you use this White Chocolate Sauce recipe from my lovely friend Jenni of Jenni Field's Pastry Chef Online? If using Jenni's white chocolate sauce, I suggest you taste as you go. Start with ½ cup of Jenni's sauce, and add more if you need more sweetness.
Whipped cream. You can either use store-bought (like I did) or make your own, which is extremely easy to do. Whip very cold heavy cream (1 cup), powdered sugar (3 tablespoons), and vanilla extract (1 teaspoon) until soft peaks form. You can even take it a little further by adding a small amount of peppermint extract (¼ teaspoon) to gild the lily and take the peppermint flavor over the top!
How to make homemade extracts
Can this recipe be made in a slow cooker
Sure. All you'd need to do is add all the ingredients (minus the whipped cream and whole candy canes) to a slow cooker and give it a good stir.
Cover and set the temperature to low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until the ingredients are hot and the chocolate is fully melted (approximately 1-2 hours while you're outside building a snowman).
How many servings does this recipe make?
As written this recipe makes four 8-ounce servings.
Can this recipe be increased to serve more than four people?
You bet. The more, the merrier! You can easily increase the ingredient quantities depending on how many you're serving.
If you're working on the stovetop, use a large stockpot (depending on how many servings you make) and cook over medium/low heat. Remember to stir frequently to prevent burning and scorching.
If using a slow cooker, a 5 or 6-quart size will work best if you're making enough hot chocolate for a crowd.
How to store leftovers
I like to store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 5 days in the fridge.
To reheat, add to a saucepan or a microwave safe container and heat until hot.
Can cocoa powder be used in this recipe
Sure. If you want to add cocoa powder to the white chocolate hot chocolate, be my guest. I think that would be delicious!
I would suggest adding ¼ cup for four servings and whisk it good while its heating.
Can alcohol be added to peppermint white hot chocolate for the adults
I certainly wouldn't tell you no.
My suggestions would be Peppermint Schnapps, Baileys Irish Cream, Rum Chata, or maybe even a splash of vodka or rum would a be nice way to warm up.
FAQs
As you can see in the video I like to use my meat mallet because it makes fast work of crushing, and it's very satisfying to use. A rolling pin is also a great way to crush candy, and of course a hammer will work in a pinch. Just make sure you don't smack the candy so hard that you put holes in the plastic bag as that can happen easily if you're too aggressive (not that I'd know anything about that! LOL)
Of course. Peppermint extract can be quite strong so if you're concerned about the flavor being too intense, I suggest you start with ½ teaspoon and then add more if you feel you'd like more peppermint flavor.
By all means...YES!! actually, why not use both? After all, it is the holidays. Go big or go HO HO HOME!!
Yes!! If you like your hot chocolate really sweet, feel free to add more than the ½ cup specified in the recipe. Taste as you go and make adjustments to the recipe as you see fit.
Additional recipes featuring peppermint
Peppermint Shortbread Cookies will be the star of any cookie platter. They're all dressed up and ready to party!
Delicious Peppermint Schnapps Ice Cream is fast and easy to make. It's a no-churn recipe that's smooth, creamy, and loaded with big, bold, peppermint flavor.
With a deeply intense chocolate flavor and a slight hint of peppermint, these Nonpareil Chocolate Peppermint Truffles are just the thing to keep your sweet tooth in check while still indulging in something extra delicious!
No-Bake Peppermint Buttercream Wafer Cookies are the perfect holiday cookie. Homemade peppermint buttercream is sandwiched between two crispy wafer sheets, sliced, and then dipped into white chocolate and festive sprinkles.
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Printable Recipe Card
Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- Rolling Pin optional for crushing candy
- meat mallet optional for crushing candy
- cutting board optional if chopping white chocolate
- 5 inch Serrated Knife optional if chopping white chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed peppermint candy reserve one tablespoon for topping
- 4 candy canes unwrapped and kept whole
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups half and half heavy cream may be substituted
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1¼ cups white chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- whipped cream for topping optional
Instructions
- Use a rolling pin or meat mallet to crush the candy inside the zip top bag. Set aside.
- Add the milk, half and half, sweetened condensed milk, white chocolate, vanilla and peppermint extract to a saucepan. Stir well to combine.
- Add the crushed peppermint candy to the saucepan, making sure to reserve one tablespoon for garnish.
- Heat the mixture, stirring continually) over medium heat until the peppermint candy and the white chocolate dissolves.
- Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and top with whipped cream, the reserved crushed peppermint candy, and garnish with a whole candy cane before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!!
Jenni says
Renee! I have sort of been meaning to work my white chocolate sauce into a white peppermint mocha, and I never got around to it. Thank you so much for recommending the sauce for your white hot chocolate. I am pretty sure (okay, Very sure) it would make a good shortcut! xoxo
Renée says
Me too, Jenni, and I'm happy to share your recipe! 🙂
xo,
Renee