Warm up this season with a steaming cup of homemade peppermint hot chocolate affogato, topped with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream for the ultimate comfort drink.

Candy Cane Affogato recipe by top Houston lifesyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar and Cloth #recipes #christmas #holiday #entertaining #idea

No matter what your party style is, these peppermint hot chocolate affogatos are the perfect dessert for ending an elegant meal or a relaxed hangout with friends. Our take on the affogato has peppermint ice cream drowned hot chocolate (or espresso for an adult version)!

What’s your Christmas party style? Are you the games and appetizers kind of hostess who prefers a casual hangout with friends? Or do you go for a more formal affair with a complete dinner with a fancy spread type?

My (Rebecca’s) personal favorites are caroling parties, traipsing around the neighborhood with all of your friends, and singing to the neighbors until their ears hurt. And their toes and nose are frozen. Hoop skirts, bonnets, and top hats are optional, of course.

But let’s be real. No matter how you host, it can be a lot of work! And while feeding people is pretty much my love language, I also want to be able to spend time with my friends and family and actually create memories beyond the kitchen!

That’s why easy but still impressive options are my MO. And these Christmas affogatos definitely deliver. How often do you find a dessert that takes five minutes, Martha Stewart would approve of, and your guests will love? It’s a win-win on every count!

So no matter what your party style is, these peppermint hot chocolate affogatos are the perfect drink desserts for ending an elegant meal, a relaxed hangout with friends, or thawing out noses and voices. And they’re not just seasonal for December but great year-round.

winter Candy Cane Affogato recipe by top Houston lifesyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar and Cloth #recipes #christmas #holiday #entertaining #idea

What is an Affogato?

Affogato means “drowned” in Italian. In food terms, an affogato usually refers to an ice cream or gelato-based dessert or drink that is drowned in hot espresso.

Our take on the affogato recipe has peppermint ice cream drowned in hot chocolate. So this recipe is kid-friendly! But you’re more than welcome to change it up with espresso.

Ingredients Needed

White hot chocolate or espresso— We used a cocoa powder mix to save time, but you can also make your own homemade white hot chocolate from scratch. It’s quite easy!

Vanilla ice cream

Peppermint extract — To get that peppermint flavor

Red food coloring

Candy canes — Optional

How to Make Peppermint Hot Chocolate Affogato

1 — Add 3-4 drops of red food coloring to the prepared hot chocolate.

2 — Flavor with 1 1/2-2 teaspoons of peppermint extract to taste.

3 — Set out 4 clear glasses, and place 2 small scoops of vanilla ice cream in each.

4 — Pour about half a cup of the hot peppermint chocolate over each.

5 — Garnish with a candy cane. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes and Tips

For extra creaminess: Opt for milk instead of water, when prepping your hot chocolate.
Experiment with enhancing the flavors of the hot chocolate with the addition of vanilla extract or vanilla bean powder.
Substitute the white chocolate hot cocoa for an espresso. Though keep in mind that the pink coloring is best achieved with a white drink.
If you prep the hot chocolate ahead of time: All you have to do is reheat it in a saucepan over medium heat. Then, scoop the ice cream to serve a dessert that’s practically bursting with Christmas cheer and has so many options!
For a boozy version: Substitute the peppermint extract for peppermint schnapps.

favorite Candy Cane Affogato recipe by top Houston lifesyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar and Cloth #recipes #christmas #holiday #entertaining #idea

How to Serve Hot Chocolate Affogato

If you prep the hot chocolate ahead of time, all you have to do is reheat it in a saucepan over medium heat. Then, scoop the ice cream to serve a dessert that’s practically bursting with Christmas cheer and has so many options!

You can serve the peppermint hot chocolate affogatos in fancy glasses or a clear plastic party cup. Of course, you want to add the hot chocolate just before serving, or you’ll have melted ice cream.

The perfect time for these to be eaten or drank is just as the steamy, pink goodness begins to soften the ice cream into little creamy white drips around the edges. The unique hot and cold contrast is the hallmark of a good affogato.

Serve this with our peppermint bark cannoli, gluten free donuts, or sugar cookies for a tasty meal!

festive Candy Cane Affogato recipe by top Houston lifesyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar and Cloth #recipes #christmas #holiday #entertaining #idea

How to Customize Your Peppermint Hot Cocoa Drink

If white hot chocolate isn’t your jam, add the peppermint to regular cocoa and skip the red coloring. You could even offer both options!

Though we garnished our drink with a candy cane, whipped cream is another popular topping. A dollop of vanilla or even coffee whipped cream will add some extra cream sweetness.

You can also add crushed peppermint candies or candy cane, chocolate shavings and/or chocolate chips, and what is hot chocolate without marshmallows?!?

Finish it off with a festive DIY Santa hat drink stirrer.

More Holiday Recipes & DIY’s

Throwing a holiday party? Check out our favorite holiday recipes and DIYs from our archives below —