This holiday season, rather than buying gifts for everyone I know, I’ve decided instead to make good use of my kitchen. Not only will it save a bit of cash, but a homemade gift, when done well, makes a great impression. These little hot chocolate sticks are made in bulk (36 servings!), in just a 9″ square pan. You can take care of teacher gifts in a snap, and they’re super cute too! They’re great as hot chocolate, but try one in your super-hot latte for a fab coffee-house beverage in your own home.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate on a Stick
Makes 36 servings
2 pounds white baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Peppermint Extract
4 drops McCormick® Red Food Color
18 large marshmallows, halved crosswise
36 lollipop sticks
Line 9-inch square baking pan with foil. Spray foil with non-stick cooking spray. Place chopped chocolate in large bowl. Set aside.
Bring sweetened condensed milk and cream to simmer in medium saucepan on medium heat, stirring frequently with wire whisk. Pour over chopped chocolate. Let stand 1 minute. Whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Stir in peppermint extract. Remove 3/4 cup chocolate mixture. Tint chocolate mixture pink with red food color.
Pour remaining (plain) chocolate mixture to prepared pan. Drop tinted chocolate mixture by tablespoons over chocolate mixture in pan. Swirl with knife for marble effect.
Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight until firm. Cut into 36 squares. (May be made ahead. Store chocolate mixture, tightly covered, in pan in refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Bring to room temperature before cutting into squares.)
To assemble chocolate on a stick, thread a marshmallow half and a chocolate square onto each lollipop stick. Wrap each hot chocolate on a stick in plastic wrap or small cellophane bag. (May be assembled up to 2 days ahead.)
To serve, stir hot chocolate on a stick into 8 ounces hot milk.
Recipe courtesy of McCormick
