A pretty in pink peppermint white hot chocolate mix for instant winter warming and holiday cheer. This easy mix makes a luxurious cup of cocoa and a fantastic homemade gift.
Ever since I made my first homemade hot cocoa mix I’ve been obsessed with the idea. Why? Because every single hot cocoa mix I’ve ever bought has been a huge disappointment. Even the fancy schmancy ones. I’m not sure what the issue is, but the flavor is weak and often artificial, and the whole experience is a waste of time and money. So I’ve turned my attention to creating a better one and my peppermint white hot chocolate mix is my latest.
It’s a silky white hot chocolate kissed with peppermint (call it a peppermint white chocolate steamer for the adults.) Perfect for the chilly holidays!
what you’ll need to make peppermint white hot chocolate mix
- white chocolate
- the better your chocolate, the better your mix. You can use ‘white chocolate’ chips (which are a white confectionary product, not real white chocolate,) but real white bar chocolate will give you the very best flavor. I like Ghirardelli, but use what you have available in your store.
- crushed peppermint
- you can find readymade crushed peppermint in many supermarkets this time of year. You can also crush your own from peppermint candies or candy canes. See my notes below about artificial food dyes.*
- powdered milk
- look for whole powdered milk for the creamiest result, but low fat will work as well. Did you know you can also buy powdered cream? You could use it for an even more luxe result.
- white cocoa powder
- ok, this is not a common grocery store item. If you can’t find it you can substitute more white chocolate. Or you can purchase it online like I did.
- confectioner’s sugar
- vanilla powder
- this is a dry mix, so liquid extract cannot be used. If you can’t find vanilla powder you can buy it online, or leave it out. The seeds of a vanilla bean can also be used.
- cornstarch
- salt
3 Easy Steps
Peppermint white hot chocolate mix is one of those projects that’s almost too easy to call a gift (but don’t let that stop you.) Just whiz everything up in your food processor until finely ground. That’s it!
- First grind the chocolate by pulse/processing until finely ground.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse (or whisk) to combine well.
- Load into an airtight container.
how to make peppermint white hot chocolate with your mix
- Use 3 tablespoons of mix for every cup of milk (I use whole milk but you can use low fat or even half and half!)
- Mix together and then heat until hot either in a saucepan or in the microwave. You can also heat the milk first if you prefer, and stir in the mix.
- Enjoy!
kids of all ages will love the pink color change!
This white powdered mix magically turns to a festive pink when you stir it into hot milk. Kids will love it, but the peppermint white hot chocolate isn’t too sweet or cloying for adults. Think of it as a peppermint steamer from your favorite coffee shop!
peppermint white hot chocolate mix serving suggestions
Add a bit of whipped cream or marshmallows and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint to finish it off.
Use a candy cane as a ‘stirrer’.
Use the ‘keep warm’ setting on your slow cooker as an easy way to serve peppermint white hot chocolate to a crowd. It’s best to keep hot cocoa in the slow cooker for no more than 2-3 hours to maintain its flavor and texture. After that, the milk may start to change in consistency. If you’re adding toppings like marshmallows or whipped cream, do so right before serving.
If serving to adults, consider spiking your hot chocolate with a peppermint or white chocolate spirit:
- Peppermint Schnapps
- Peppermint Vodka
- Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
*if you want to avoid artificial colors…
Most peppermint candies and candy canes use red and white dyes for their iconic stripes. The specific dyes often include:
- Titanium Dioxide: used to create the bright white.
- Red 40: a synthetic red.
ALL NATURAL CRUSHED PEPPERMINT: If you want to avoid anything artificial there are several brands of all natural crushed peppermint such as Atkinson’s, India Tree, and Karma Candy.
CRUSH YOUR OWN: Alternatively, you can make your own crushed peppermint by purchasing natural, dye-free peppermint candies or candy canes and crushing them at home.
Peppermint White Hot Chocolate Mix
Equipment
- food processor
- mason jars for storage
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup milk powder , (I used whole milk powder, but you can also use nonfat)
- 1 cup chopped white bar chocolate, you can also use good quality white chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup confectioner's sugar
- 1/2 cup white chocolate cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp vanilla powder , (optional)
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint
Instructions
- Add the chopped chocolate to the bowl of a food processor, and pulse until finely ground.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and process to combine. You can also do this in a large mixing bowl: add the ground chocolate along with the rest of the ingredients and mix to combine.
- Keep cocoa mix in an airtight container until ready to use. It will keep in the cupboard up to a year.
To Make Peppermint White Hot Chocolate with your mix
- To make hot chocolate, use 3-4 Tbsp of hot chocolate mix for each cup of milk.
- Heat slowly in a saucepan, whisking to get everything dissolved. Heat until it gets steamy hot and is smooth and creamy. Enjoy with whipped cream, marshmallows, shaved white chocolate, or crushed peppermint to garnish.
Notes
- Peppermint Schnapps
- Peppermint Vodka
- Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
Nutrition
more peppermint for the holidays
- Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
- Peppermint Bark Pretzels
- Peppermint Mocha Bark
- Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Peppermint Melting Moments
Sue, absolutely beautiful photos. Very inventive recipe with a different twist. Will give it a try .