Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cream (Printable Version)

A velvety cocoa drink enhanced by peppermint and topped with soft whipped cream, ideal for warming up evenings.

# What You Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 2 cups whole milk
02 - 1/2 cup heavy cream (for whipped cream)
03 - 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for whipped cream)

→ Chocolate & Sweeteners

04 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
05 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
06 - 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

→ Flavorings

07 - 1/4 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
08 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Garnish

09 - Crushed peppermint candies or mini candy canes (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Whisk together milk, cocoa powder, and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat until smooth and steaming, avoiding boiling.
02 - Add chocolate chips while whisking continuously until fully melted and the mixture becomes velvety.
03 - Remove from heat and stir in peppermint and vanilla extracts evenly.
04 - In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
05 - Pour cocoa into serving mugs and top generously with whipped cream.
06 - Optionally, sprinkle crushed peppermint candies or place a mini candy cane on top. Serve immediately.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like a fancy café drink but takes fewer than 15 minutes from craving to sipping.
  • The peppermint cuts through the richness so perfectly that you don't feel guilty about that cloud of whipped cream.
  • One batch makes enough to share, and watching someone's face light up when they taste it never gets old.
02 -
  • Don't let the milk boil or it will scald and taste bitter; medium heat and patience are everything here.
  • Chill your mixing bowl before whipping cream—it makes a huge difference in how quickly the peaks form and how stable the cream stays.
  • Peppermint extract is intense; start with the amount called for and taste before adding more, because too much tastes like mouthwash.
03 -
  • Use a whisk instead of a spoon when combining the cocoa powder with milk; it eliminates lumps instantly and makes the whole process smoother.
  • If you want the whipped cream to last longer on top without deflating, add a tablespoon of cream cheese to the heavy cream before whipping—it stabilizes it beautifully.

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