Description
This Easy Peppermint Mocha recipe is a quick, comforting homemade coffee treat that combines rich cocoa, sweet peppermint from crushed candy cane, and hot brewed coffee. Perfect for a festive pick-me-up with simple ingredients like cocoa powder, sugar, milk, and a candy cane, no espresso or syrups needed.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 full-size candy cane
- 1 tablespoon (5 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon (12 g) granulated sugar (plus more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon water
- ¼ cup milk (any percentage)
- ¾ cup hot strongly brewed coffee
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream (optional)
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- Crush Candy Cane: Place the candy cane in a zip-top bag and crush it into small crumbs using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
- Make Chocolate Syrup: In a small pot over medium heat, combine cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and water. Whisk continuously until a smooth chocolate syrup forms.
- Add Milk and Candy Cane: Whisk in the milk and add the crushed candy cane pieces. Heat the mixture, stirring often, until the milk is steaming and the candy cane has dissolved. Reduce heat if milk starts to simmer before candy is fully dissolved. Whisk vigorously to slightly foam the milk.
- Combine with Coffee: Pour the hot brewed coffee into an 8-ounce mug. Add the milk mixture and heavy cream if desired. Stir and taste, adding more sugar if needed.
- Serve: Top with whipped cream if using, serve immediately, and enjoy your festive peppermint mocha!
Notes
- Use any type of milk you prefer, such as whole, skim, or non-dairy alternatives.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more granulated sugar to taste after mixing with coffee.
- The candy cane provides natural peppermint flavor, eliminating the need for peppermint extract.
- You can skip the heavy cream and whipped cream for a lighter version.
- Strongly brewed coffee works best to balance the sweetness and milkiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
