Christmas Hot Chocolate

This Candy Cane Hot Chocolate is the best warm drink recipe this winter! Sip in front of the fire on Christmas Eve or all through winter – with whipped cream made from real candy canes and hot chocolate made from only cocoa powder, sugar and milk it’s a deliciously simple peppermint treat for kids and adults alike.

Nothing says winter like hot chocolate with whipped cream. And nothing says Christmas, like hot chocolate with candy cane whipped cream. A new addiction of mine this hot chocolate is one I’ll be sipping all winter – and now I think you will too…

Why this is the best Hot Chocolate for Christmas

• A quick & easy hot chocolate recipe, using only whole milk, cocoa powder and sugar
• Topped with whipped cream with real candy canes melted into it for that extra touch
• Because yes, this is the perfect way to use up any leftover candy cane whipped cream from when you made those candy cane cupcakes

How to make Candy Cane Hot Chocolate

Making this hot chocolate with candy cane whipped cream is very easy, but does require a bit of planning.

The day (or at least four hours) before serving

It all starts the day before – or at least four hours before – when you melt your candy canes into heavy whipping cream (for detailed instructions – go to the recipe for candy cane whipped cream. Once melted, chill the cream for at least four hours (or preferably over night).

10 minutes before serving

Bring out your candy cane cream, and whip just as you would a regular whipped cream.

Prep an icing bag with red candy cane stripes (see recipe for candy cane whipped cream linked above) if you like before scooping in the whipped cream in the same bag, or just scoop in the whipped cream straight away. Or skip the icing bag altogether.

Now comes the very easy part of making your hot chocolate. Just heat your milk in a saucepan (keep an eye so it doesn’t boil over!) and meanwhile mix together cocoa powder and sugar in a small bowl. When the milk is warm, take it off the heat and add a few tablespoons of hot milk to the sugar and cocoa powder mixture. Mix well and then pour it into the rest of the milk in the pan. Mix well and pour into cups for serving.

Top with your candy cane whipped cream, and some sprinkles if you like – and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Great tools to have for making this recipe

Expert tips for making Christmas Hot Chocolate

1. Do not let your cream start to boil while melting in the candy canes, or you might just have to start over.
2. Create red candy cane stripes by using a bright red color (like Wilton’s “Red Red”*) and a tooth pick, and painting four stripes inside the icing bag before adding in your candy cane whipped cream. See detailed instructions in the recipe for candy cane whipped cream.
3. Mix your cocoa powder and sugar with a little bit of hot milk before mixing into the rest of the milk, to make it blend easier.

Christmas Hot Chocolate

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Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American, christmas, European, vegetarian

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Chilling time for Candy Cane Whipped Cream: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Servings: 4 cups

Ingredients

• 10 dl milk
• 4 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 batch Candy Cane Whipped Cream
• sprinkles* optional

Metric – US Customary

Instructions

At least 4 hours before serving

• Start the Candy Cane Whipped Cream by melting the candy canes into the cream and then place in the fridge for at least 4 hours (or preferably over night).

10 minutes before serving

• Whip your Candy Cane Whipped Cream just like you would a normal whipped cream. Then prep an icing bag (or two) if using this, according to the recipe instructions.
• Start your hot chocolate by heating your milk in a sauce pan. Meanwhile, mix the cocoa powder and sugar in a separate bowl.
• When the milk is hot, take it off the heat and mix in a few tablespoons of the hot milk in the cocoa powder and sugar mixture. Then add this to the rest of the milk and mix well.
• Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and top with the candy cane whipped cream and sprinkles. Serve immediately!

Equipment needed for this recipe

• Wilton 2A decorating tip*
• Piping bags*
• Tooth pick
• Saucepan*

Notes

1. Do not let your cream start to boil while melting in the candy canes, or you might just have to start over.
2. Create red candy cane stripes by using a bright red color (like Wilton’s “Red Red”*) and a tooth pick, and painting four stripes inside the icing bag before adding in your candy cane whipped cream. See detailed instructions in the recipe for candy cane whipped cream.
3. Mix your cocoa powder and sugar with a little bit of hot milk before mixing into the rest of the milk, to make it blend easier.

Did you make this?Tag @alwaysusebutter and use the hashtag #alwaysusebutter!

What did you think of this recipe for Christmas Hot Chocolate? Let me know in the comments below

Love,

Emmeline