Candy cane hot chocolate is flavoured with peppermint candy canes and topped with cream, candy cane pieces & popping candy. They are crazily fun and make the perfect cosy festive treat.
Serve a slice of my peppermint candy cane brownies with your Christmas hot chocolate for the ultimate festive indulgence.
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Why You'll Love This Chocolate Drink
- Festive fun: This peppermint candy cane cocoa drink is fun and appealing to kids.
- Cosy: There's nothing not to like about a steaming mug of peppermint hot chocolate on a frosty day.
- Quick & easy: This drink takes just 10 minutes to make.
- Make ahead: Prepare a batch of this hot chocolate with candy cane and stash it in the fridge until required.
- Easy to scale up: Serving a crowd? It's easy to scale up this recipe to suit your needs.
- Make in slow cooker: You can use a slow cooker to make this festive candy cane hot cocoa drink or to keep it warm at parties.
Jump to:
Though this winter drink recipes uses chocolate rather than cocoa powder it can also be called candy cane cocoa or candy cane hot cocoa.
I have more festive chocolate drinks to tempt you including peppermint white mocha and chocolate orange hot chocolate. If you are a need a few additional ideas take a look at my guide to making the best hot chocolate at home - it's loaded with inspiring recipes.
Ingredients Notes
Peppermint Candy Canes: You must use peppermint candy canes for this recipe. The best ones for the hot chocolate itself are the full-sized ones (18cm/ 7 inches in length, weighing 28g). Mini candy canes are fine for the garnishes, but they don't generally have the same level of peppermint flavour as the full-sized version.
Milk: Whole (full fat) milk is the best option for any hot chocolate drink. If you need a dairy-free alternative, my top choice would be oat milk as it's deliciously creamy.
Chocolate: Use either a mix of dark chocolate (72% cocoa solids) and milk chocolate or use semi-sweet chocolate (50% cocoa solids).
Cornflour: Also known as cornstarch, this thickens the candy cane hot cocoa adding to the luxurious nature of this drink. It can be left out if desired.
How to Make Candy Cane Hot Chocolate
Full instructions and measurements are given in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Step 1: Break 2 mini candy canes into small chunks & set aside to garnish the drinks. Crush the full-sized candy cane to fine pieces. A pestle and mortar or a mini food processor make short work of this task.
- Step 2: Put the milk, chocolate, the finely crushed candy cane and the cornflour into a saucepan. Heat gently, stirring/ whisking often, until the chocolate and candy cane have melted completely.
- Step 3: Turn up the heat and stir the liquid continuously until hot and the mixture has thickened slightly (do not let it boil). Use a whisk or a handheld immersion blender to blend the drink to ensure it is smooth and slightly frothy.
- Step 4: Pour your candy cane hot chocolate into mugs and top with the whipped cream and remaining crushed candy cane plus any further toppings desired.
Expert Tips
- Ensure you have peppermint candy canes: This not all candy canes are peppermint flavoured.
- Full sized candy canes offer the best flavour: Mini candy canes can be less minty, so only use these as a garnish.
- Don't forget to stir: As this recipe includes cornflour, the hot chocolate will turn lumpy if it is not stirred continuously once it begins to warm up.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a mini food processor your can break the candy cane roughly, drop it in and blitz it to a fine powder. Alternatively, use a pestle and mortar to break it down or put it into a plastic bag and hit it with a rolling pin.
Yes, you can. It will be slightly sweeter than the version presented here, but still delicious. Use 100g white chocolate in place of the dark and milk chocolate listed in the recipe card.
If you do not allow the candy cane pieces to fully dissolve your hot chocolate will be grainy. Just return it to the pan and continue to stir over a gentle heat until all of the candy has dissolved (but do not let the liquid boil).
Yes, you can, although it is much quicker to make it on the stovetop. To make candy cane cocoa in the slow cooker simply put the milk, chocolate, crushed candy cane and cornflour into the bowl of the slow cooker. Pop the lid on and cook (on high) for 90 minutes, giving the liquid a good stir every 15 minutes.
Alternatively, make it in a pan on the stove they transfer to a slow cooker (on low) to keep it warm if serving at a party.
Serving Suggestions
When I first published this recipe (back in 2014) I recommended topping this festive hot chocolate with whipped cream, crushed candy cane pieces and popping candy. I stand by this suggestion - it's immense fun and tasty. Kids and adults will love the element of surprise to find their peppermint hot chocolate comes with some snap, crackle and pop!
And if you are wondering what to serve alongside this drink, here are a few of my favourites:
Variations
- Dairy-free candy cane hot chocolate: Swap your milk for a dairy-free alternative and ensure that the chocolate used is also dairy free. Either leave the whipped cream out or swap it for a dairy-free alternative.
- Spiked peppermint hot chocolate: Grown-ups can get in on the fun too and may enjoy a dash of alcohol in their hot chocolate - try a chocolate cream liqueur such as Mozart or try some Baileys. For a strnger hit of alcohol opt for warming rum.
- Candy Cane Hot Cocoa: Use cocoa powder instead of chocolate to produce a less sweet version of this drink (10g-15g blended into the milk should be plenty).
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📖 Recipe
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Candy Cane Hot Chocolate with Popping Candy
Ingredients
- 450 ml Whole milk
- 40 g Dark chocolate 72% cocoa solids
- 60 g Milk chocolate
- 2 teaspoon cornflour
- 1 Large peppermint candy cane 7 inches long (18cm), weight 28g
Optional Garnishes
- Whipped cream
- 4 Mini candy canes
- 2 Marshmallows
- Popping Candy
Instructions
- Break 2 mini candy canes into small chunks & set aside to garnish the drinks.4 Mini candy canes
- Crush the full-sized candy cane to fine pieces. A pestle and mortar or a mini food processor make short work of this task.1 Large peppermint candy cane
- Put the milk, chocolate, the finely crushed candy cane and the cornflour into a saucepan. Heat gently, stirring/ whisking often, until the chocolate and candy cane have melted completely.450 ml Whole milk, 40 g Dark chocolate, 60 g Milk chocolate, 2 teaspoon cornflour
- Turn up the heat and stir the liquid continuously until hot and the mixture has thickened slightly (do not let it boil). Use a whisk or a handheld immersion blender to blend the drink to ensure it is smooth and slightly frothy.
- Pour into mugs then (optional) top with the whipped cream, reserved candy cane pieces, marshmallows and the popping candy. Hang a mini candy cane on the side of the glass if desired.Whipped cream, 2 Marshmallows, Popping Candy, 4 Mini candy canes
Notes
- Ensure you have peppermint candy canes: This not all candy canes are peppermint flavoured.
- Full sized candy canes offer the best flavour: Mini candy canes can be less minty, so only use these as a garnish.
- Don't forget to stir: As this recipe includes cornflour, the hot chocolate will turn lumpy if it is not stirred continuously once it begins to warm up.
- Use semi-sweet chocolate: If you can find chocolate with 50% cocoa solids this is perfect for this recipe. It can be hard to find in the UK though.
- Use white chocolate: This will produce a sweeter version of this candy cane hot chocolate drink.
- Dairy-free candy cane hot chocolate: Swap your milk for a dairy-free alternative and ensure that the chocolate used is also dairy free. Either leave the whipped cream out or swap it for a dairy-free alternative.
- Spiked peppermint hot chocolate: Grown-ups can get in on the fun too and may enjoy a dash of alcohol in their hot chocolate - try a chocolate cream liqueur such as Mozart or try some Baileys. For a strnger hit of alcohol opt for warming rum.
- Candy Cane Hot Cocoa: Use cocoa powder instead of chocolate to produce a less sweet version of this drink (10g-15g blended into the milk should be plenty).
- Put the milk, chocolate, crushed candy cane and cornflour into the bowl of the slow cooker.
- Pop the lid on and cook (on high) for 90 minutes, giving the liquid a good stir every 15 minutes. Alternatively, make it in a pan on the stove they transfer to a slow cooker (on low) to keep it warm if serving at a party.
Jane Coupland says
I updated this post recently which was a good opportunity to remake the drink - it did not disappoint. I hope you love it as much as my family do.
Meghan | Fox and Briar says
I love peppermint and chocolate together, and I reallly need a mug of this now!
Jane Saunders says
Guaranteed to make you smile as you drink it. I have a stash of candy canes at the ready - it's nearly December.
Tamara says
This post and recipe make me happy! I wish our weather would cool enough to enjoy a steaming mug full! For now, I will live vicariously through your beautiful photos 😉
Jane Saunders says
Thanks so much, Tamara. How about you make the hot chocolate, chill it and then serve it as a milkshake topped with the cream & candies.... a shame for you to miss out on the fun due to lovely heat. I've never had that problem in December 😉
Julie at Hostess At Heart says
This just looks like warm comfort in a cup. I'd love a cup of this on a chilly evening.
Jane Saunders says
Thanks Julie. I have been known to make myself a mug when the kids are at school - it's a shame for us adults to miss out 🙂
Pragati // Simple Medicine says
candy, candy corn, candy canes and maple syrup! This looks SO festive and yummy 🙂
Jane Saunders says
Thankyou Pragati
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I love the vibrant bright holiday colour! Can't wait to give it a try SOON!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
What a great idea to add popping candy! This is definitely a delicious recipe I need to try!!