Peppermint Hot Chocolate

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This homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate recipe is made with 6 ingredients in 6 minutes! It has two kinds of chocolate so it’s ultra-rich and creamy and it’s flavored with candy canes instead of expensive extracts. Watch the video to learn how to make homemade candy cane hot chocolate!

two mugs of peppermint hot chocolate with whipped cream


Today we’re going to be making a festive treat that will keep you warm this holiday season – homemade candy cane hot chocolate (also try this homemade hot chocolate and crockpot hot chocolate).

Kiss powdered mixes and packets goodbye, with this ultra-rich and creamy candy cane hot chocolate, that’s so easy to make in the Vitamix Blender!

This is not your average peppermint hot chocolate, because we use the Vitamix to blend real candy canes into the cocoa base, which is made with two forms of chocolate. You don’t need expensive extracts, just a a few of your favorite candy canes (plus a handful of other ingredients), which we all have an abundance of this time of year.

It only takes 6 minutes and 6 ingredients to blend up this warm candy cane hot chocolate, which means it’s the perfect treat to make after a day playing outside in the snow! Serve it with a dollop of homemade whipped cream and peppermint cookies or peppermint brownies for true hot cocoa bliss!

two mugs of peppermint hot chocolate with whipped cream

Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Ingredients & Substitutions 

As always, let’s start by discussing the ingredients in this peppermint hot chocolate recipe, as well as possible substitutions. 

overhead view of the labeled ingredients in peppermint hot chocolate
  • Whole milk. Half and half, heavy cream, and 2% milk (or a combination of these) are good substitutes. Coconut milk is a good dairy-free option.
  • Cocoa Powder. Use pure, unsweetened cocoa powder (not hot chocolate mix).
  • Granulated sugar. organic cane sugar and coconut sugar are good substitutes.
  • Chocolate. I recommend using semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate. You can  use milk chocolate or white chocolate for a sweeter final outcome. For a dairy-free/vegan version, use dairy-free chocolate. You can also use bakers chocolate (100% cocoa) and increase the amount of sugar to suit your tastes. 
  • Vanilla Extract. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
  • Candy Canes. Choose your favorite candy canes to use in this peppermint hot chocolate. I use Wholesome organic candy canes or Yum Earth Organic Candy Canes because both of these varieties have no food dyes or corn syrup. If you’d prefer, you can use ½ tsp peppermint extract instead of the candy canes. Or add it along with the candy canes for a more pronounced peppermint flavor.
two mugs full of Peppermint Hot Chocolate with no toppings

How to Make Peppermint Hot Chocolate

This homemade candy cane hot chocolate is so easy to make and so much more delicious than any powdered mix you can buy at the store! Let’s walk through how to make it step-by-step and don’t forget to watch the video.

Use a Vitamix Blender

To achieve the creamiest peppermint hot chocolate ever, as always, I recommend using a Vitamix Blender! In this recipe the Vitamix does all the work for you! It melts the chocolate, pulverizes the candy canes and heats up the gourmet hot chocolate so you can serve it straight from the blending container (no stovetop cooking required). It’s SO easy to make hot chocolate in the Vitamix! 

If you are looking to buy a Vitamix, check out my in-depth Vitamix buying guide and learn why I chose to blend with Vitamix 10 years ago and never looked back! 

Candy Cane Hot Chocolate being blended in a Vitamix

Make the Candy Cane Hot Chocolate

Start by adding milk to the container of your Vitamix blender, followed by cocoa powder and sugar.

Secure the lid and blend, starting on low speed and increasing to high. Blend on high speed for 3 minutes, or until the mixture is warm.

two photos showing how to make peppermint hot chocolate in the Vitamix blender

Next, add the chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate), pure vanilla extract and candy canes to the warm mixture in the blending container.

Two photos showing how to make peppermint hot chocolate in the Vitamix blender

Secure the lid and blend, starting on low speed and increasing to high. Blend on high speed for 3 minutes or until the mixture is hot and steamy.

two photos showing how to make peppermint hot chocolate in the Vitamix blender

Serve

Remove the lid, pour the peppermint hot chocolate into your favorite mugs, top with marshmallows or homemade whipped cream and some crushed candy canes and enjoy! 

Note: since the Vitamix is so powerful you will have some foam in your final product! Simply stir the foam into the hot chocolate to make it disappear, or enjoy it as part of the candy cane hot chocolate experience! 

Store

Store any leftovers in a glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I like to stir leftovers into my coffee in the morning for an extra special treat.

front view of peppermint hot chocolate being poured into a mug

Toppings for peppermint hot chocolate

This recipe tastes amazing on its own. But if you’re looking to jazz it up with some fun toppings, here are some suggestions: 

  • Homemade Whipped Cream (obviously)
  • Marshmallows (any variety, peppermint marshmallows would be delicious). 
  • Crushed candy canes
  • Chopped peppermint bark
  • Shaved chocolate
  • Holiday sprinkles
overhead view of peppermint hot chocolate with whipped cream

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe FAQs

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, you can double (or even triple) this recipe with great results.

Can I use peppermint extract instead of candy canes.

Yes, substitute 1/2 to 1 tsp of peppermint extract in place of candy canes if you’d like.

Can I make this without a blender?

Yes, if you use peppermint extract instead of candy canes you can heat the ingredients on the stovetop, whisking to combine, until chocolate is melted and the mixture is warm.

front view of two mugs of peppermint hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes

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Peppermint Hot Chocolate (Candy Cane Hot Chocolate)

Laura
This homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate recipe is made with 6 ingredients in 6 minutes! It has two kinds of chocolate so it's ultra-rich and creamy and it's flavored with candy canes instead of expensive extracts. Watch the video to learn how to make homemade candy cane hot chocolate!
5 from 2 votes
Course beverage, Dessert, Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 261.2
Prep Time6 minutes
Total Time6 minutes

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Add milk, sugar and cocoa powder to the container of a Vitamix blender.
  • Blend, starting on low speed and increasing to high. Blend on high speed for 3 minutes, or until the mixture is smooth and warm.
  • Add chocolate, vanilla and candy cane pieces and blend for 3 minutes until mixture is smooth and hot.
  • Pour into mugs, top with whipped cream, marshmallows and crushed candy cane pieces and serve!

Video

Notes

*I like a subtle candy cane flavor. If you like a more pronounced mint flavor, add more candy canes or ½ tsp of peppermint extract.
To Make Without a Blender
Use peppermint extract instead of candy canes you can heat the ingredients on the stovetop, whisking to combine, until chocolate is melted and the mixture is warm.
Ingredient Substitutions
  • Whole milk. Half and half, heavy cream, and 2% milk (or a combination of these) are good substitutes. Coconut milk is a good dairy-free option.
  • Cocoa Powder. Use pure, unsweetened cocoa powder (not hot chocolate mix).
  • Granulated sugar. organic cane sugar and coconut sugar are good substitutes.
  • Chocolate. I recommend using semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate. You can  use milk chocolate or white chocolate for a sweeter final outcome. For a dairy-free/vegan version, use dairy-free chocolate. You can also use bakers chocolate (100% cocoa) and increase the amount of sugar to suit your tastes. 
  • Vanilla Extract. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
  • Candy Canes. Choose your favorite candy canes to use in this peppermint hot chocolate. I use Wholesome organic candy canes or Yum Earth Organic Candy Canes because both of these varieties have no food dyes or corn syrup. If you’d prefer, you can use ½ tsp peppermint extract instead of the candy canes. Or add it along with the candy canes for a more pronounced peppermint flavor.
Store
Store any leftovers in a glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I like to stir leftovers into my coffee in the morning for an extra special treat.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Toppings

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 261.2kcal | Carbohydrates: 38.3g | Protein: 5.1g | Fat: 12.1g | Saturated Fat: 7.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.9g | Cholesterol: 14.6mg | Sodium: 53.6mg | Potassium: 131.9mg | Fiber: 2.3g | Sugar: 34.5g | Calcium: 1.7mg | Iron: 6.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Yummy😋 I’ve been meaning to make your recipe since Christmas and I finally found the time today, probably because I’m feeling🥶 from the -12 degrees temperature outside. It warmed me right up-thank you😊
    PS. I prefer your homemade over Ghirardelli😜

  2. Looking forward to converting this into a Keto friendly version, using almond milk, peppermint extract, monk fruit sweetener, and Lily’s sugar free chocolate chips.

  3. Sounds delicious! I love my Vitamix. I don’t have any candy canes but may tinker with the recipe to see what we can come up with next time the kids need to warm up from playing outside. 🙂

    1. It’s 100% delicious, even without the candy canes! As always I recommend making the recipe without tinkering! 🙂