A bit of Sunday ritual in our house during the winter months is a steaming cup of hot chocolate after dinner. Indulgent & pure comfort in a mug, it’s a lovely way to end the weekend. At this time of year though, I like to add a little festive touch to this winter treat with some different flavours. It usually goes one of two ways here, either I add a good heavy handed glug of Baileys or I make a peppermint hot chocolate. Ever since I was a child, I’ve been obsessed with mint & anything mint flavoured so I’m particularly fond of a candy cane at Christmas time. Luckily, the combination of mint & a chocolate is a wonderful one so combining the two in a hot drink is a thing of beauty! You can keep this one simple or if you’re feeling extra then grab your favourite Christmas mug & dip the rim into a little melted chocolate, sprinkle over some crushed biscuit crumbs (use your favourite, I like rich tea), fill with hot chocolate before topping with cream, marshmallows & crushed candy cane pieces for a super indulgent treat. It’s like drinking your favourite minty chocolate bar.
PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE
(makes 2-4 mugs, easily halved or doubled)
Ingredients:
- 250ml milk
- 125g dark chocolate (70%)
- 3-4 drops peppermint extract
- 1 peppermint candy cane per cup
- Optional: whipped cream & 1 crushed peppermint candy cane to serve
Method:
- Put the milk & chocolate into a small saucepan & set over a medium heat
- Stir the mixture continuously until all of the chocolate has melted & combined with the milk in a smooth liquid
- Add the peppermint extract & stir this through
- Divide the hot chocolate between individual cups & add 1 candy cane to each
- Top with cream & any additional topping
- Stir until the candy cane dissolves into the chocolate & enjoy
