Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Sticks

AHH! Did everybody survive the blizzard?? We got about a foot of snow in my part of Delaware between Friday and Saturday, and I enjoyed every single bit of it! I love love love a good snow storm and I get so disappointed when we go through a whole winter without the grass ever being fully blanketed. It just adds so much excitement to what can sometimes feel like a dreary time of year.

I love when there is an impending storm, and it’s all that anybody can talk about. I totally buy in to all the hype, seriously, I started following our local weather guy on Facebook. I also ran out to the store with the rest of the nut cases and got all my essentials, wine, ice cream, Oreos, and everything we needed to fill a crockpot with chili. I love the idea of getting all warm and cozy and bunkering down with your nearest and dearest, and then getting all bundled up to play out in the snow.  And of course, when it comes to snow, there is one more essential that you can’t forget. The secret weapon of parents everywhere, used to lure the kids back into the house when their fingers are just about frostbit, HOT CHOCOLATE!!! We do nothing special with our hot chocolate over here, usually just some milk with Hershey syrup or some good ole Swiss Miss. I do, however, like a dollop of whipped cream on top, and this year we stepped it up a notch and got fancy with Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Stick Stirrers!

It was really just an excuse for me to use up the open bags of chocolate chips from Christmas, but I seriously made all of these in about 15 minutes before the kids woke up last week! My son forgave me for making them without him, when he found out that he was going to get to eat them during the snowstorm with his hot chocolate! They are so easy! Melt chocolate, swirl the peppermint stick around and sprinkle with your favorite toppings. You can also make these with candy canes, but I love these peppermint sticks because they are soft and creamy, like an after dinner mint.

If you are wanting to make these at a time of year when peppermint sticks aren’t readily available, use spoons! You can use plastic spoons, or ones right out of your silverware drawer! Dip them in chocolate and sprinkle them with anything that would be fun to stir in to your hot cocoa or coffee! I chose some winter toppings with snowflakes and marshmallows, and added some red and pink hearts and sprinkles, since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner.
All that you need to make these are:

1. Melt the chocolate according to the package directions. I heat mine in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute, stir, microwave 30 seconds, stir, and then at 15 second intervals until it is a smooth consistency.
2. I added about 1/2 tsp vegetable oil to my melted chocolate to make it a little smoother and shinier. It is completely optional though.
3. Tilt your bowl of chocolate on an angle and then dip and roll your peppermint stick/spoon into it to coat to your preference. Tap slightly to remove excess chocolate (if there is such a thing).
5. Sprinkle with your favorite toppings.
6. Set on wax paper until firm.
7. Stir into your hot chocolate or coffee and ENJOY!

This is the first time that I have made these, but I really love the way they turned out! They are a great to keep around all winter long and by using the heart sprinkles, they would make an adorable gift for Valentine’s Day! They would really work for any holiday just by altering what topping you use. Add a mug and a few packs of hot cocoa and you are set. I think I know what teacher gifts I am giving next year!!!

I hope everyone enjoyed the blizzard as much as we did over here! And as much fun as it was, I think I am even more excited that my son’s school is re-opening today, am I right parents?!

Stay Warm!
xo
c