Alpine Mint Hot Chocolate

From betty crocker. I have a serious love of mint and chocolate together! This is is so good!

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 6-8
• Yields: 10 cups

Ingredients

• 1  cup  whipping cream
• 2  tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1  tablespoon  unsweetened baking cocoa
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  peppermint extract
• 6  cups milk
• 3  cups  white  vanilla baking chips
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  peppermint extract
•  candy canes or   crushed hard  peppermint candy, if desired

Directions

1. In chilled small bowl, mix whipping cream, powdered sugar, cocoa and 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.
2. In 2-quart saucepan, heat milk just to simmering over medium-low heat - do not boil. Reduce heat to low. Add baking chips; stir constantly with wire whisk until melted and smooth. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract.
3. Pour hot chocolate into cups or mugs. Top each serving with whipped cream. Garnish with candy cane for stirring, or sprinkle with crushed candies
4. TIP:.
5. Melt white vanilla baking chips carefully. They burn easily, so be sure to cook over low heat, and stir constantly.
6. VARIATION:.
7. Use 1/3 cup peppermint schnapps for the 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract in the hot chocolate to make a delicious adult drink.