In partnership with Chocolove.
Nothing will get you dreaming of a white Christmas like this over-the-top indulgent hot chocolate! The cocoa is rich and velvety smooth thanks to a whole bar of peppermint dark chocolate, swirled right into a mug of steaming milk. Add a splash of vanilla and a pinch of salt and you are 100% ready to curl up by the fire and watch snowflakes fall outside.Unless you want to really really go for kitchen-champ-of-the-year, and then we can make our own marshmallows. And then be forever spoiled for the big white puffs, because there’s nothing even close to the creamy silky goodness of homemade chocolate marshmallows. The hardest part is waiting for them to set!
I hope this 12 Drinks of Christmas series sparks all sorts of new ideas for celebrating the holidays! I’m sharing a new drink recipe every Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday from Thanksgiving ’til Christmas. Thursday drinks are family-friendly favorites; the rest of the week is cocktails, mulled wines, sangrias, and all sorts of boozy party goodies to celebrate the season. Cheers!
If you can’t find peppermint dark chocolate, you can use a dark chocolate bar plus peppermint extract. Some extracts are much stronger than others – start with half a teaspoon and go from there.
Made with lots of love, this might be just the thing to leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve!
12 Drinks of Christmas
The richest velvety-smooth cocoa swirled with peppermint dark chocolate! Top with homemade peppermint chocolate marshmallows & watch the snowflakes fall.
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3.2 oz. Chocolove Peppermint in Dark Chocolate or other peppermint dark chocolate, roughly chopped
- 1/2 t. vanilla
- pinch of salt
- 3 packets unflavored gelatin
- 1 cup ice cold water
- 3.2 oz. Chocolove Peppermint in Dark Chocolate or other peppermint dark chocolate, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 t. salt
- 1 t. vanilla
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 3.5 oz. soft peppermint candies crushed
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Heat milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat as soon as it starts to simmer.
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Whisk in peppermint dark chocolate, vanilla, and salt until chocolate melts and drink is smooth.
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Pour hot chocolate into two mugs and top with peppermint chocolate marshmallows.
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Combine gelatin and 1/2 cup ice cold water in a stand mixer with whisk attachment.
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Add remaining water, peppermint dark chocolate, corn syrup, sugar, and salt to a small pot. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
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Clip a candy thermometer to the pot and continue cooking until the mixture is 240°F. Immediately remove from heat.
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Start the stand mixer on low and slowly pour chocolate syrup in while mixer is running. Once all the syrup is added, increase the mixer to high speed and whip for 12-15 minutes until thick and lukewarm.
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Whisk cocoa powder and cornstarch together in a small bowl.
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Generously grease or spray the bottom and sides of a 9x13 pan. Add about half of the cocoa mixture and shake to coat bottom and sides evenly. Pour any extra powder back into the small bowl.
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Pour the marshmallow mixture into the 9x13 pan and smooth the surface. Press crushed soft peppermints into the top then lightly dust with cocoa mixture, saving the remaining powder for later.
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Let the marshmallows rest uncovered at least 4 hours or overnight.
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Turn the marshmallows onto a cutting board. Dust a knife or pizza cutter with cocoa mixture and cut marshmallows into 1-inch squares. Toss marshmallows with remaining powder and store in an airtight container.
Print Recipe
This looks so fun & delicious! I may have to do this as a family project this holiday season! 😍
Thanks Liz! Making marshmallows is so much fun with little ones, especially playing with the gelatin. 🙂