The Best Hot Cocoa Recipe for Christmas 

Today I’m partnering with a group of bloggers, along with Olive and Linen to share some of our favorite holiday recipes with you. From tasty appetizers to sweet desserts and even homemade dog treats, you will find something wonderful to make for your holiday Christmas parties!  My daughter and I are sharing two of our holiday favorites, hot cocoa and hot cocoa candy sticks! At the end of the post, be sure to check out the rest of the amazing recipes on the blog hop.  Most importantly, I will share a code to get 30% off your next order of Turkish towels at Olive and Linen.  Plus, details to win a $100 gift card from Olive and Linen just by commenting on this post!

Olive and Linen Turkish Towels and Throws

First, let me tell you about Olive and Linen, because I think you will love the products as much as I do!  They carry an assortment of beautiful, super soft bath and kitchen towels and throw blankets.  I like that the linens are handmade with traditional weaving techniques and made from high quality materials sourced in Turkey.  Each linen is lightweight, yet surprisingly so absorbent.   Therefore, they not only look great in my home, but work well to clean up spills.

The striped throw blanket is my favorite because I love how soft the fabric feels, without being heavy.  My daughter Callie is already trying to claim it as hers.  The hand tied tassels are a nice detail too! You can find it here!

One of my family’s favorite Christmas Eve traditions is looking at Christmas lights after dinner.  First, we pack some homemade treats and hot cocoa in a thermos.  Then, we grab a cozy blanket, hop in the car, play Christmas tunes while driving around looking at Christmas lights.  There are quite a few extravagant displays in our town.  Now, let me share the sweetest hot cocoa recipe with y’all!

Hot Cocoa Recipe

Hot Cocoa Recipe Ingredients

• 1 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 6 cups  milk
• 1 tsp vanilla or peppermint oil
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips

Hot Cocoa Recipe Directions

1. Pour all ingredients except chocolate in a large pot on the stove top on medium heat.  
2. Keep stirring for 2-3 minutes until mixture is well blended.  Turn heat to low.
3. Add chocolate chips and stir occasionally until melted.

Serve immediately or keep warm in a crock pot on low heat.  Garnish with whipped cream, marshmallows, peppermints, or red hots as you like!  I like to add a red hot to the top of my whip cream swirl when hot cocoa is served in my Santa mugs!

Hot Cocoa Candy Sticks Recipe

Hot Cocoa Candy Sticks Recipe Ingredients

• Candy canes
• Simply Melt chocolate melting chips
• Large marshmallows
• Assortment of sprinkles, small candies like peppermint crunch, red hots, or chopped nuts.

Hot Cocoa Candy Sticks Recipe Directions

1. Insert unwrapped candy canes into marshmallows.
2. Melt Simply Melt chocolate chips in the microwave.  Start with a minute in the microwave, stirring in 30 second increments thereafter until melted.
3. Dip the marshmallow in melted chocolate. using a spreading knife to cover in chocolate if necessary.
4. Dip the chocolate covered marshmallows in sprinkles, nuts or small candies.
5. Place on parchment paper to harden, then immediately place in air tight container.  These can be individually wrapped in plastic treat bags.

Hot cocoa candy sticks are one of my daughter’s favorite things to make at Christmas.  These are great to make when serving hot cocoa to use as stir sticks, or they can be eaten individually.  Certainly, they are easy enough for older kids to make at a holiday party, too!  Just leave melting chocolate in a small crock pot on low.  Then, have a variety of candies and sprinkles available in small bowls.  Kids will love dipping chocolate covered marshmallows in their favorite candies. Therefore, these hot cocoa candy sticks make a great addition to your hot cocoa bar whether you make them ahead of time or set up a station for guests to make their own.  If you missed my holiday tablescape with a hot cocoa bar, read it here.

Favorite Christmas Recipe Blog Hop

The Christmas season is a great time to say ‘thank you’ and give back to our loyal readers.  Not only is Olive and Linen offering you 30% off any purchase using the code MERRY30, but they are giving you a chance to win one of three $100 gift cards to their shop.   All you have to do is comment what you favorite recipe is in this comment section to enter.  The winner will be chosen randomly on Dec 22nd, 2018.  You can follow along at @oliveandlinen on Instagram to see if you win.  Don’t forget to pin this post to your Christmas Recipe board on Pinterest.  Enjoy all of my friends’ delicious recipes below.

Tx Sized Home – Holiday Fudge

Simple Cozy Charm – Christmas Tree Charchuterie

CG Home Interiors – Coconut Lemon Cheesecake Fat Bombs

Turquoise Lifestyle – Homemade Puppy Chow

Designs by Karan – Cherry Almond Thumbprint Cookies

Gathered Grace – Puff Pastries and Cream Tarts

My 100 Year Old Home – Honey Brie with Pomegranates

The Pickled Rose –  Homemade Dog Treats

I hope these recipes sound tasty enough for you to make!  My kids tell me that the hot cocoa recipe is like drinking melted chocolate!  Similarly, I am pretty sure that Santa would approve!  Thank you again to Olive and Linen for sponsoring this post!  However, all opinions are my own. I am really impressed with the quality of these Turkish towels and linens, and think they will make a wonderful gift to friends, family or even yourself.  Most importantly, happy holidays, y’all!

Amy Williams

Related posts:

12 DIYs of Christmas 2019: DIY Snow Globe Container for Treats Vintage Christmas Decor to DIY with Architectural Finds The Best Hot Chocolate Bars Blog Hop 12 DIYs of Christmas: Easy Christmas Candy Tray