{kierste's hot chocolate with peppermint cream}

I ♥ hot chocolate.   

 

  My kids love it too, and since we live in the frozen winter tundra, we have it quite often. (It's also a definite Christmas Eve and Christmas morning tradition...) I almost always make it homemade, and after experimenting with different ingredients and combinations, I've found a version that we have labeled as our favorite! It's simple to make, and is ready in less than 10 minutes.  Delicious!

  I really like using chocolate chips, because it makes it so smooth and creamy. The peppermint cream is the perfect complement, and honestly, if you don't like mint & chocolate together, you are crazy.  :)  I prefer milk chocolate, so I use milk chocolate chips, but if you like a stronger chocolate flavor, you can always use semi-sweet chips instead, and less milk.

  

{Kierste's Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Cream}

1 1/2 c. milk chocolate chips
1 can evaporated milk
3-4 c. whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla

In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate chips with the can of evaporated milk.  Once they're melted, stir in the four cups of milk and heat through.  Remove from heat and add the vanilla.  Serve with Peppermint Cream!

Peppermint Cream

1 pint heavy cream
1/4 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. peppermint extract
2 candy canes, crushed

In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream until it's just beginning to form soft peaks.  Add the powdered sugar (you can do more or less to taste), and beat until incorporated.  Add the peppermint extract and crushed candy canes, then beat again until the right consistency.  I like to spoon the cream into a sandwich bag, push it down into one corner, snip the corner off of the bag, then pipe it onto the top of the hot chocolate.  Sprinkle a few more bits of candy cane on top, and enjoy!

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