The Twelve Days of Holiday Treats!
Once again, this year, from December 1st-12th I’ll post a new holiday treat recipe every day – inspiration for your holiday entertaining!
The recipes I’m sharing are small batch (perfect for this year of smaller gatherings – each recipe makes 1-dozen or a few more smaller-sized treats) that are simple to prepare and that use everyday ingredients and equipment so hopefully you’ll be able to whip up any of these on a whim. (check out the entire list as well as last year’s treats at the bottom of this post).
Today’s treat is actually a treat for ONE – something to keep you going as you work your way through your holiday list/ attend those (endless) Zoom events online or work your way through a marathon of Hallmark Christmas movies.
There’s nothing quite like a hot chocolate in the winter on a cold day and this recipe is next level for the holidays – with real chocolate, cream, milk and a touch of peppermint essence, finished off with marshmallows and a candy cane it looks and tastes like the holidays and comes together in just a little longer than it takes to make a package version of hot chocolate.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Decadent hot chocolate for the holidays!
Ingredients
- 60g (approx 1/4 heaping cup) good quality semisweet chocolate chips
- 120ml (1/2 cup) skim milk
- 120ml (1/2 cup) heavy (35%) cream
- 1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
- 2 large marshmallows, cut in halves
- approx 2 tablespoons crushed candy cane
- 1 candy cane, for serving (optional but fun)
Instructions
- Put the chocolate in a small pot and pour the milk and cream on top. Place the pot over medium-high heat and gently whisk until the chocolate is completely melted.
- Whisk in the peppermint extract then turn down the heat to medium and continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes, whisking constantly. The liquid will thicken slightly as it cooks.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Allow the hot chocolate to sit for a few minutes (it will thicken slightly as it cools) and stir before you pour into the mug.
- Press the chopped marshmallows into the crushed candy cane, cut side down, and float on top of the hot chocolate
- Serve with a candy cane (this will melt quickly, adding even more minty goodness to your drink!).
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As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains links to the Sweetapolita sprinkle shop where I am NOT an affiliate but I can't NOT recommend them - they are simply the best!
Thanks for following along this year!
Check out the rest of the 12 Days of Holiday Treats:
Day 1: Rice Krispie Wreaths
Day 2: Cranberry Cheesecake Bars
Day 3: Peppermint Bark
Day 4: Orangettes
Day 5: Rocky Road Chocolate Crackle Slice
Day 6: Candy Cane Sugar Cookies
Day 7: Orange Pim’s
Day 8: Mendiants
Day 9: Chewy Chocolate Mint Crackle Cookies
Day 10: Apricot, Coconut and Cranberry “truffles”
Day 11: Chocolate, Cherry and Almond Brownies
Day 12: Peppermint Hot Chocolate
OR
Check out last year’s 12 Days of Holiday Cookies:
Day 1: Easy Three Ingredient Shortbread
Day 2: Jam Drops
Day 3: Chocolate Caramel Slice
Day 4: Melting Moments
Day 5: White Christmas
Day 6: Langues de Chat
Day 7: Chocolate Coconut Slice
Day 8: Cornflake Biscuits
Day 9: Rocky Road
Day 10: Honey Joys
Day 11: Rum Ball Truffles
Day 12: Giant Florentine Cookie (to share)
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Please note: This post contains affiliate links. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This means that if you click over and purchase something, I will receive a very small percentage of the purchase price (at no extra cost to you). Thank you in advance!
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