Peppermint Hot Cocoa with Whipped Cream #flowercocktailhour

J's Peppermint Cocoa      #RecipeinBloom                                                        

J shares his version of Peppermint Hot Cocoa- completed by adding Peppermint to the Whipped Cream- J will make the Whipped Cream with Peppermint flavoring- and Cook up his Recipe for Cocoa- that includes butter… of course…  Want the Complete Recipe? Here it is... 

This is a recipe for a non-alcoholic version- but I've put in the information for a SPIKED version as well... ENJOY!

Recipe for Hot CocoaStart by warming milk- you can choose Whole Milk, 2 Percent or even Almond Milk... I prefer Whole Milk- and use 2 1/4 cups...Add your cocoa Mixture of choice... there are so many to choose from- and all of them have specific direction on the back... I prefer Cocoa Felice... it has exceptional recipes for Hot Cocoa as well as pudding...

I add 3/4 cup of Cocoa- 1/4 cup of Sugar... (I use confectioners sugar) ... You can omit the sugar if you want a less sweet treat

3 Tablespoons of Arrowroot- this makes the cocoa a bit more thick- again- it's optional... if you wish

1/4 teaspoon of Salt- this is a wonderful addition- with the chocolate and really enhances the Hot cocoa...

Continuing stirring while heating and bring the mixture to a slow boil... and allow to simmer for about a minute... then remove from the heat!

Stir in 1 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract- (you can also add White Creme de Menthe or Creme de Cocoa if you wish- When I do that I add 2 Jiggers for a SPIKED VERSION of Hot Cocoa)Then stir in 1 Tablespoon of Butter... YES... I know this seems odd- but it makes it sooooo Creamy and delicious!

I prefer to let the mixture cool down in the Refrigerator- until I want to serve it... this gets all the ingredients together and makes it even more tasty- then I heat up the desired portion for each cup and heat and serve with fresh Whipping Cream!

Peppermint Whipped Cream Topping

I use Organic Heavy Whipping Cream...  place it in a mixing bowl on my Mixer...I add about 6 tablespoons of Confectioners SugarAnd 2 Tablespoons of Vanilla Extract... I prefer the one that is aged in a bourbon barrel... just saying...

Then I add about 2-3 teaspoons of Peppermint Extract... depending on how minty you want it to be... taste test as you slowly add the extract to make sure it's not too much!

Mix on High until the Whipped Cream has still peaks... and then you're ready to place a dollop on top of your steaming Hot Peppermint Cocoa!

Christmas is all about doing what you love- and mix up your Hot Beverage the way you like it... experiment and maybe you'll discover a NEW Version that may become your own Christmas Tradition!