December 20, 2016
updated
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There is no better way to warm up the family than with homemade hot cocoa, and today’s recipe is an easy and delicious Peppermint Hot Chocolate you can make at home!
Cooler weather calls for hot drinks, and I can’t think of a more beloved choice than homemade hot chocolate. Not the kind made with pre-mixed powder but real cocoa powder, milk, sugar, and in this case, a touch of peppermint extract!
This recipe will allow you to stay right at home on these cold winter days when you’re craving a steaming cup of rich hot cocoa. Why layer up the clothes, throw on jackets and load up the car for this tasty treat when you can make it right at home?
Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Extract
This recipe is a pepperminty twist on my classic homemade hot cocoa recipe that’s so good you won’t have to go to the coffee shop to get your fix!
All you need:
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: make sure you use regular, not Dutch-processed.
- Granulated white sugar: to make our hot chocolate sweet!
- Hot water: melts the sugar and cocoa powder.
- Salt: adds balance to all the sweet and rich flavors.
- Milk: your choice of dairy or a non-dairy alternative.
- Vanilla extract: makes the cocoa flavor taste even better.
- Peppermint extract: just a drop or two provides plenty of peppermint flavor!
One thing I love about making hot cocoa at home is you can make it dairy-free as needed. Trust me; this recipe tastes just as good with almond, soy, and even oat milk!
Be sure to check the recipe card below for full ingredient measurements and cooking directions.
Making Homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa
I usually make this recipe on the stove top when it’s just family, but if I plan to serve it at a party, I’ll double or triple the batch and transfer it to a slow cooker to keep warm, so everyone helps themselves.
Here’s what you need to do.
- Combine
Add the cocoa, sugar, water, and salt to a medium saucepan. Over medium heat, constantly stir until the mixture boils. - Cook
Stir continually for 1 minute. Stir in the milk and heat, but do not boil. Remove from the heat, add vanilla and peppermint extract and mix well. Serve immediately.
This step is optional, but if you want to serve hot cocoa to a crowd, transfer the mixture to a large slow cooker and set it on low. Or, read this post for more tips on how to keep hot chocolate warm for individuals or a crowd!
Adding Vanilla to Peppermint Hot Cocoa
Vanilla is like alcohol and is usually made with it, and it evaporates and cooks down when heated. When you’re making this hot cocoa recipe, you add the vanilla last because the vanilla will evaporate and the taste will not be as strong, or it could completely disappear if you add it too early.
What to Serve with Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Want to turn this into a hot cocoa bar or just keep it simple? Here are a few toppings and stir-ins to try for this recipe, as well as the White Peppermint Hot Chocolate or regular old-fashioned hot chocolate.
- Whipped cream
- Shaved white or dark chocolate
- Crushed peppermints
- Candy cane, for a stirrer
- Marshmallows
How do you take your hot cocoa?
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup hot water
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups milk, Dairy or non-dairy
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract, (or more/less to taste)
- optional toppings: whipped cream, crushed peppermints, marshmallows
Instructions
- Combine the cocoa, sugar, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Over medium heat, stir constantly until the mixture boils.
- Cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Stir in the milk and heat, but do not boil. Remove from the heat, add vanilla and peppermint extract and stir well. Serve immediately.
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