Looking for a fancy way to use up those candy canes during the holidays?
Here’s a simple beverage recipe featuring peanut butter and candy canes that will keep you warm and cozy this winter. It’s a Spicy Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate. It uses Peanut Butter & Co “The Heat is On!” peanut butter, which is a mix of peanut butter, chili powder, paprika, and crushed peppers. On top of that, a candy cane is used as a garnish and stirrer for this beverage.
Ingredients (2 servings):
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp the Heat is On! peanut butter*
- sugar or sweetener, to taste
- candy canes
- marshmallows (optional)
*For a non-spicy version, simply substitute with another peanut butter. May I suggest Old Fashioned Crunchy? Oh, and maybe sprinkle some cinnamon and nutmeg too.
Directions:
- Heat the milk in a small pot over the stove.
- Add cocoa powder and vanilla extract and whisk until well combined.
- Bring mixture to a simmer.
- Add the peanut butter and stir well.
- Add sugar or sweetener if desired.
- Remove from heat.
- Pour into mugs. Garnish with a candy cane! Add a couple of marshmallows if you like. Enjoy!
Giveaway
One lucky reader will receive TWO jars of Peanut Butter and Company peanut butter! Enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends on December 16th, 2014 12:00 PM ET.
Do you have any candy cane hacks? What do you do with all those candy canes? Share your hacks with the hashtag #CandyCaneHacks.
Discount Code
Peanut Butter & Co is offering 25% off your online store purchase for the month of December. Simply use coupon code YUMSQUADLOVE (case sensitive).
Disclaimer: As a member of Peanut Butter & Co.’s Yum Squad food blogger club, I received product in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.
Christine
December 8, 2014 at 12:28 am
I like to hang them all over the Christmas tree. The kids in my family like candy canes so they go fast and I just replace them as necessary. I go through so many candy canes it’s embarrassing.
Elizabeth
December 8, 2014 at 6:09 pm
Baking
Vera wilson
December 9, 2014 at 5:15 am
I use the candy canes as a decorations in a centerpiece. Also on a kids present with attach one to the package. Break into small pieces to decorate the top of a holiday cake.
Francesca Schofield
December 9, 2014 at 5:31 am
melt them down to a candy syrup, drizzle over homemade cookies and cake
Johannah
December 9, 2014 at 11:04 am
Crush them up for toppings and baking.
Jake B
December 10, 2014 at 1:23 am
I like to make candy cane bark ( I think it’s called ) that stuff is delicious.
amy deeter
December 10, 2014 at 1:24 am
i would hang them on my tree and give some to my kids friends at school
Skye
December 10, 2014 at 4:03 am
When I have extra candy canes on hand, I enjoy grinding them up in a food processor until they are fine like sugar, then mix them right into sugar cookie dough. 🙂
Alexa Cohen
December 10, 2014 at 7:55 am
we donate them to my mom’s classroom!
ellen beck
December 10, 2014 at 2:47 pm
I use the candy canes b crushing them up super fine and adding them to hot cocoa or adding them to half and half and use them in my coffee.
Dandi D
December 10, 2014 at 3:27 pm
I would like to put them on top of presents for my nieces and nephews.
David
December 10, 2014 at 3:44 pm
I break them up and snack on them throughout the day.
Heather
December 10, 2014 at 9:55 pm
I would love to put all those candy canes in my whoopie pies!
Manda
December 11, 2014 at 11:39 am
Decorate a tree.
Joan Kubes
December 11, 2014 at 7:20 pm
I like to hang all the candy canes on my tree.
Joann S
December 14, 2014 at 3:07 pm
I always hand the candy canes on my christmas tree , then visitor take them as they leave after our visit to remember the day of giving .
after the season it’s amazing to see how many candy canes are left on the tree
Sandy Headtke
December 14, 2014 at 3:59 pm
I crush them and use in Peppermint Bark
Trisha B.
December 14, 2014 at 4:14 pm
I like to crush candy canes and use them on top of frosted sugar cookies.
Sarah
December 14, 2014 at 4:23 pm
I would grind some up and top everything with it!!
Amy C.
December 14, 2014 at 4:45 pm
I like to add them to hot cocoa!
Mike D
December 14, 2014 at 5:15 pm
Ooooh I can’t wait to try the recipe!!!
Amanda
December 14, 2014 at 5:28 pm
I only like the gobstopper candy canes. The peppermint ones I would use to crush up and put them in desserts, but not eat alone 🙂
Allison (Spontaneous Tomato)
December 14, 2014 at 5:28 pm
I’ve never done much with candy canes other than eating them plain, but I’d like to try this! 🙂
David Becker
December 14, 2014 at 6:35 pm
Crushed and used for topping cookies, brownies, and cakes
Annette
December 15, 2014 at 8:25 pm
I like to melt white chocolate candy melts and add crushed peppermints to it. I lay out out on a piece of parchment and let it cool. Peppermint bark candy.