Homemade Christmas gifts are always the best, in my eyes. Unless, of course, someone decides to buy me that beautiful new iMac. 😉 But, seriously, I really love receiving homemade presents, whether it’s food, a drink, craft or a handmade card. I love giving them, as well.
It’s funny how last year we were in the same predicament as this year, where we are in the middle of packing up to move right smack in the middle of the holiday season. This time, we are only moving to the next town because we bought a house. Last year, we were preparing to move across the country, yet somehow I managed to put together a few Christmas baskets for some friends. The baskets included all sorts of homemade yummies. But, this year, even though our move is much less maintenance, I am unable to do Christmas baskets. I blame it on my tiny tiny kitchen where even one box takes over the whole space.
I did, however, accomplish a little gift for some family and friends we’ll be visiting this weekend. I quickly put together my favorite homemade hot chocolate mix, along with a new version with a peppermint flair. Guess they won’t be surprised if they read this post! Oops! 🙂 But, I wanted to share this recipe with you so you, too, can include it in your homemade Christmas gifting.
The peppermint flavor is somewhat subtle, so even though I think it’s perfect, if you want a stronger minty taste then simply add more candy canes. If you have a good food processor, it’s really easy to throw this together. You might inhale some candy cane dust while you’re at it, but ’tis the season, right? 😉
Oh! And, thanks to one of my wonderful readers, Miranda, for the adorable labels you see pictured! She is letting me post a printable download for you, too! (I recommend printing on sticker paper.) These will perfectly fit half-pint mason jar lids, like you see in this post.
Click image above to download printable labels.
- 12 peppermint candy canes (6 ounces), broken into pieces
- 1 cup instant dry milk
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 10 ounces good quality bittersweet chocolate (chopped) or chocolate chips
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Working with dry hands, slowly add the candy cane pieces into the feeding tube of the food processor while turned on. Process until the candy cane is a fine powder. (Do not allow any moisture into the food processor, or you'll end up with a sticky mess and a stuck lid.)
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Turn the processor off and add the dry milk and brown sugar. Process until smooth, then add the chocolate and process to a fine powder.
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Store in an airtight container for up to 1 month. To serve, mix 3-4 Tablespoons cocoa with 1 cup of hot milk.
There is no cocoa powder in this recipe, but if you would like it a little more chocolaty, try adding about 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder to the food processor and process with the rest. But, if you do this, you will probably want to use more candy canes, as well.
Kelsey says
December 17, 2012 at 5:59 PMNikki, that is so YOU to take time to make gifts for those you love. You are such a sweetheart!
Sarah AJ says
December 18, 2012 at 3:35 PMThanks for posting this! I’m going to make both the peppermint and salted caramel as part of my kids’ teacher gifts. I just want to double-check that there is no cocoa powder in this one? Thanks!
Nikki says
December 18, 2012 at 4:22 PMHi Sarah. That’s correct, no cocoa powder in this one. It might just be a taste preference of mine, but you can add about 1 to 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder if you want it more chocolaty. I felt the peppermint came through more without the cocoa powder, yet is still chocolaty enough for me. The less ingredients I have to use, the better! 🙂
Sarah AJ says
December 18, 2012 at 7:16 PMSounds good. Thanks for replying so quickly!
Sue Gladd says
December 18, 2012 at 9:09 PMWow, we will enjoy this so much and I must try making it!!!
K says
December 29, 2012 at 10:54 PMGreat recipes, can’t wait to give them a try
Barbara Tarnor says
January 6, 2013 at 10:00 AMI am having a cup of the peppermint hot chocolate now! Yummo! Nothing better on a cold Wisconsin day! Thank you!
LJ says
December 8, 2013 at 12:39 PMHi Nikki!
I’ve been searching and searching for a better recipe for hot chocolate and I think I found it! You rock! Only problem I have (as with several) is that I don’t have a food processor. Do you think this might be possible with a regular Oster Blender!!? I’m guessing it will not get the peppermint fine enough. 🙁
Also, since you have brown sugar as the sweetener, I’m guessing I could use Coconut Sugar.
Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Nikki says
December 8, 2013 at 3:45 PMHi LJ,
I’m have never used an Oster Blender, so your best bet is to give it a try and then come back and let me know how it worked out for you! 🙂 Many blenders could get it fine enough, but you do also risk scratching the bowl, so just be careful and don’t blame me! 😉 As for the coconut sugar, I believe that would be just fine. Again, haven’t used it myself, but now I want to give it a try!
Karen says
December 8, 2013 at 12:44 PMHey – I’m getting ready to make this (and the salted caramel one) for gifts – how many 1/2 pts does each full recipe make? I could probably do the math, but that would be more helpful to me than how many servings it makes. Thanks!!
Nikki says
December 8, 2013 at 3:40 PMHi Karen,
If I remember right, it fills about 8 half pint jars, just like the Salted Caramel version. 🙂
Karen says
December 8, 2013 at 8:56 PMGreat! Thanks!
Sarah says
December 11, 2013 at 12:23 AMAny chance you could e-mail me labels that say Graham Cracker Cocoa? I love your labels, and have made both salted and peppermint from your posts 🙂
Nikki says
December 11, 2013 at 2:15 PMHi Sarah,
Sorry that I can’t help you. One of my readers created these Peppermint Hot Cocoa labels, and the Salted Caramel ones are on my old computer that is in storage. (Along with many videos I have of the kids, so crossing my fingers I can get to that computer soon and move everything!) Unfortunately, I do not have the time to create new ones right now. Sorry again!!!
Vivi says
June 21, 2016 at 10:56 AMHi Nikki
!’m brasilian . What is peppermint candy canes?
Thanks
Vivi
Nikki Gladd says
June 21, 2016 at 2:44 PMHi Vivi,
Just regular red and white striped candy canes.
Vivi says
June 22, 2016 at 7:22 AMHi Nikki
In Brazil I do not know these candy canes
Thank you for responding so quickly!
Vivi
Nikki Gladd says
June 22, 2016 at 2:56 PMOh! I’m sorry! You must try to order some if you can! 🙂
MaryAnn Coy says
June 23, 2018 at 10:43 PMIf your food processor is old & tired, & you are worried it can’t handle breaking down the large peppermint candy pieces there are 2 ways to handle it.
1 ) put the candy in a zipper bag & Seal, then roll extra bag around it. Borrow Hubby’s.trusty hammer or grab your meat mallet. Take it out on the back step & take all you Holiday stress on that candy. Smash it to smithereens! You get pulverized mint & you will feel great!!!
2) Amazon sells bags of peppermint crunchiest the size of cinnamon red hots. They will melt in hot water! Get them early& buy extras they sell out early & restock somewhat slowly!
Add note if you want a little change Star bright mints come in Peppermint & Spearmint(White Chocolate Cocoa?) there is a purple that is supposed to be a general sort of spice flavor. You can also pulverize peppermint bark. Canada Mints work Those soft melt in your mout peppermint balls are much easier to break down. Freeze chocolate covered mints hard then blend or process & store some into your cocoa or coffee . Be really decadent & add some Baileys Irish Cream & ChocolateMints To Cocoa or Coffee & have a gratifying relaxation after a busy holiday prep day with some quiet music. It doesn’t have to be Christmas music! After a day of crazy Christmas Shopping that might be last on your list. Maybe The Beach Boys Endless Summer?