Candy Cane Hot Chocolate is a cozy holiday drink that combines peppermint extract, real chocolate, heavy cream, and crushed candy canes. Candy Cane Hot Chocolate recipe is perfect for Christmas Eve, winter nights, and family gatherings when you want something warm, simple, and a little festive without the extra effort.
Candy Cane Hot Chocolate is rich, creamy, and full of classic winter flavor while Marshmallow Fluff sits on the rim of the mug, with crushed candy canes pressed around the top for a sweet, minty edge. Peppermint marshmallows and whipped cream melt into the hot chocolate, adding a soft, cozy texture. Christmas sprinkles bring a sparkly, festive touch that makes every sip feel like holiday magic.
Looking for more Christmas recipes? How about my Easy Baked Eggnog French Toast | Christmas Morning Breakfast or my Homemade Eggnog Latte Recipe | Better Than Starbucks looking for a fun Christmas snack for Winter Break? Pretzel Reindeers | Fun No-Bake Easy Christmas Recipe or my Easy Christmas Popcorn | Festive Holiday Snack Treat How about a good Christmas Mocktail? Try my Santa Hat Shirley Temple | Festive Christmas Mocktail.
Jump to:
- Why you'll love Candy Cane Hot Chocolate
- Ingredients for Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- Candy Cane Hot Chocolate Ingredients
- Toppings for Homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- How to Make Candy Cane Hot Chocolate Mix
- Top Tip for Christmas Cocoa
- More Christmas Recipes
- Pin or send this recipe to a friend!
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Why you'll love Candy Cane Hot Chocolate
- 🍫Rich and creamy hot chocolate made with real chocolate and heavy cream
- 🍫Festive peppermint flavor perfect for Christmas and winter nights
- 🍫Fun candy cane-rimmed mugs that make this drink extra special for parties
Ingredients for Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Candy Cane Hot Chocolate Ingredients
- Heavy Cream: Boosts richness and creates a velvety texture that makes the cocoa feel indulgent and cozy, like a classic holiday hot chocolate you’d get at a winter café.
- Whole Milk: Adds a creamy, smooth base with enough fat to carry the chocolate flavor without being too heavy. It steams beautifully and keeps the drink silky. If dairy-free opt for Almond Milk.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Melts into the milk for a balanced sweetness and deep chocolate flavor that isn’t bitter or overly sugary, giving the drink a nostalgic, comforting cocoa taste. Plus, using real milk chocolate makes this real Hot Chocolate. (the more you know 😉
- Cacao Powder: Intensifies the chocolate flavor and adds a slightly earthy, aromatic cocoa depth that makes the drink taste more authentic and luxurious.
- Peppermint Marshmallows: I don't think you're allowed to eat hot chocolate without marshmallows and the peppermint ones taste like candy canes!
- Vanilla Extract: You can't have Hot Chocolate without vanilla extract. It's a rule, look it up.
- Peppermint Extract: Peppermint extract is what makes this drink peppermint hot chocolate. It's refreshing and tastes festive!
Toppings for Homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- Marshmallow cream: We rim the tops of our mugs with marhsmallow cream so we can add the crushed candy canes to the the rim of the mug for an extra festive touch, plus it's looks super cute!
- Peppermint Marshmallows: I don't think you're allowed to eat hot chocolate without marshmallows and the peppermint ones taste like candy canes!
- Crushed Candy Canes: Add crunch, sparkle, and bursts of real minty sweetness with every sip.
- Peppermint Finishing Sugar or Christmas Sprinkles: Have you herd of these amazing McCormick finishing sugars? Worth every penny! I add the hazelnut one to my morning coffee. 😉 Everyone deserves a touch of whimsy in their hot cocoa mug.
- Candy Canes: are a must added and you can swirl them around for even more peppermint flavor!
- Adorable Santa Glass Mugs: Optional, but a total Game Changer and worth it!
See full recipe card below for exact quantities
How to Make Candy Cane Hot Chocolate Mix
- Step 1: Pour the whole milk and heavy cream into a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Warm it gently until steaming, not boiling.
- Step 2: Add in the Vanilla Extra then whisk in the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Stir constantly until the chocolate fully melts and the mixture turns smooth and glossy.
- Step 3: Mix in the Cacao powder and peppermint extract until milk and cream mixture is smooth.
- Step 4: Mix in the half of the peppermint marshmallows until the hot chocolate turns nice and smooth.
- Step 5: Prepare the mugs by spreading marshmallow cream around the rim. Dip the rims into crushed candy canes.
- Step 6: Pour the hot chocolate into the prepared mugs.
Step 7: Top with whipped cream, peppermint marshmallows, Peppermint finishing sugar or Christmas sprinkles, and add a candy cane inside the mug for a festive touch. Serve and enjoy immediately!
Top Tip for Christmas Cocoa
- Warm the milk and cream slowly over low heat so the melted chocolate blends smoothly without scorching, keeping the texture silky and rich.
Yes. You can make the hot chocolate up to 24 hours in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often. Add toppings and rim the mugs just before serving.
This recipe has a classic candy cane flavor that isn't overpowering. If you prefer a milder peppermint taste, start with ⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract and add more to taste. Peppermint extract is very concentrated, so a
little goes a long way.
Absolutely. Regular marshmallows work perfectly and still give you that fluffy topping. The crushed candy canes and peppermint extract will still
provide plenty of mint flavor.
Hot cocoa is made from cocoa powder, sugar, and milk (or water), which gives it a lighter, sweeter, and slightly less rich flavor. Hot chocolate is made from real melted chocolate combined with milk and sugar, creating a thicker, creamier, and more indulgent drink. Hot chocolate typically has a deeper, more intense chocolate taste, while hot cocoa feels softer and more mellow. Both are warm, cozy, and delicious—hot chocolate just brings extra richness and body thanks to the real chocolate base
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About Genevieve
Thank you for stopping by Fitty Foodlicious, a website dedicated to sharing lasting, family recipes, anxiety tips and tricks, and healthy spirited mental wellness. Genevieve's recipes have been featured on MSN.com, NewsBreak, Food Talk Daily, Food Gawker, Trivet Recipes, Bartender.com, Health Magazine, Kitchen Aid AU NZ, and has a published Cookbook titled The 5-Ingredient Paleo Cookbook which can be purchased at all major bookstores and on Amazon.
📖 Recipe
Candy Cane Hot Chocolate | Peppermint Holiday Cocoa
Equipment
- 1 saucepan
Ingredients
Candy Cane Hot Chocolate Mix
- 2 cups Heavy cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon Cacao Powder
- 1 teaspoon Peppermint Extract (add more or less based on preference)
- 1 cup Peppermint Marshmallows
Candy Cane Hot Chocolate Toppings
- 1 cup Marshmallow Cream for the rims of the mugs
- ¼ cup Crushed Candy Canes, for the rims of the mugs
- 1 cup Whipped cream, divided
- 1 cup Peppermint Marshmallows, divided
- 1 tablespoon Christmas Sprinkles, divided
- Candy Canes
Instructions
- Pour the whole milk and heavy cream into a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Warm it gently until steaming, not boiling.
- Add in the Vanilla Extra then whisk in the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Stir constantly until the chocolate fully melts and the mixture turns smooth and glossy.
- Mix in the Cacao powder and peppermint extract until milk and cream mixture is smooth.
- Mix in the half of the peppermint marshmallows until the hot chocolate turns nice and smooth.
- Prepare the mugs by spreading marshmallow cream around the rim. Dip the rims into crushed candy canes.
- Pour the hot chocolate into the prepared mugs.
- Top with whipped cream, peppermint marshmallows, Christmas sprinkles and add a candy cane inside the mug for a festive touch.
- Add a candy cane to each mug right before serving. Guests can swirl them around in their Hot Chocolate for even more peppermint flavor!
- Serve and enjoy immediately!
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