Christmas

Peppermint Truffles in a Mug

November  8, 2011
4
2 Ratings
  • Serves 10-12
Author Notes

Each winter since I moved here (this is the fourth), I've had a Winter Solstice Party for my very closest friends. The circle widens a bit each year, and this year it's actually going to be my Food52 celebration party. At any rate, the shortest night of the year has proved to be a good one to spend with those who have played such a part in helping me build a good, new life. I light a fire in the living room fireplace, and another in the fire pit outback. I light enough candles that we could practically heat the house with them. And after we've all eaten enormously well, these serve as our dessert.

I use thermal carafes that hold about 40 ounces each. Be sure to warm them with hot water while the milk & cream are heating. Also be sure to add the soft ganache to them last. I learned the hard way that it's much easier to incorporate from the top than attempting to scrape it up from the bottom. Quantities given will fill 2 carafes and serve 10-12 people. Adjust upwards or downwards as need be. —boulangere

Test Kitchen Notes

In a word: DELIGHTFUL. This comforting drink epitomizes happiness, invoking the warm creamy texture and flavors of the holiday season. It could be described as a luxurious--and boozy--version of hot chocolate. The rich chocolate is contrasted with the vibrant zing of the peppermint schnapps. The recipe allows for adjusting to individual tastes without compromising on taste and textures. Although it calls for an abundance of heavy cream and whole milk, the final product in no way tastes or feels heavy. I opted to crush a peppermint candy cane for a garnish. Whether served as a boozy drink for the adults, or without the peppermint schnapps to the kiddie crowd, this drink is a surefire hit.

Panfusine

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • FOR THE GANACHE
  • 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • 8 ounces heavy cream
  • FOR THE WARM "PUNCH"
  • 32 ounces whole milk
  • 16 ounces heavy cream
  • Half the soft ganache for each carafe
  • Peppermint Schnapps
  • Whipped cream for topping
  • Sweetened chocolate powder for dusting
  • Candy cane to stir
Directions
  1. First, make your ganache. Begin heating 8 ounces of cream in a non-reactive pot over medium heat. Chop the chocolate into relatively uniform pieces and place in a stainless steel bowl. Have nearby a plate with which to cover the bowl. When the cream JUST comes to a boil, immediately pour over the chopped chocolate, cover the bowl with the plate, and let sit for a minute. After the minute is up, stir slowly with a rubber spatula to completely blend and melt all of the chocolate.
  2. Whip the cream to soft peaks. Store in the refrigerator in a well-chilled bowl until you’re ready to serve.
  3. Heat the milk and cream to a scald in a non-reactive pot (tiny, uniform bubbles will appear all around the perimeter of the pot). While they are heating, fill the carafe(s) with hot water and screw on the cap. When milk mixture is hot, empty the carafe, pour in the half the milk and cream into each, then add the ganache. Use the handle of a wooden spoon or spatula to stir well to incorporate all the ganache.
  4. I let my guests fill their mugs, add the Peppermint Schnapps and whipped cream in quantities they choose. Finally, a dusting of sweetened ground chocolate finish off the "truffle effect," and a candy cane goes in as a pretty stir-stick. Cheers to the shortest night of the year!
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  • boulangere
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    lapadia

37 Reviews

boulangere November 25, 2011
Panfusine, thank you for your beautiful, warm review. I am very glad you enjoyed it so much.
 
Panfusine November 25, 2011
I absolutely LOVED it boulangere, kept on going with the ganache (which I had halved the recipe for) long after I had exhausted my miniature bottle of schnappes! virgin versions flavored with my blend of Chai spice, the spice blend that went into wanderash's Ancho chile cinnamon chocolate bark ...
 
boulangere November 25, 2011
Oh, my, I can only imagine how wonderful the Chai spice version is! Thank you so much.
 
Waverly November 21, 2011
How absolutely divine!
 
boulangere November 21, 2011
; )
 
ashleychasesdinner November 16, 2011
I can't wait to try this! This is my kind of punch! Thanks for sharing
 
boulangere November 16, 2011
Thank you kindly, a_s_p, I hope you enjoy it.
 
TheWimpyVegetarian November 10, 2011
Oh, and I love the idea of having a party to celebrate the Solstice. It feels like that's just imprinted on our genes. And it's a perfect way to celebrate a new, good life.
 
boulangere November 10, 2011
It's one of my favorite "new life" traditions.
 
TheWimpyVegetarian November 10, 2011
OMG - this looks absolutely fabulous, b!!!! I love it love it love it. I'm not a big punch person - I've never made it in my entire life, I'm embarrassed to admit, but this one I've got to make!! This would be perfect this winter to take along for snowshoeing too - including with the schnapps!
 
boulangere November 10, 2011
You, Bevi and I need to organize a snowshoeing date! I'll bring the full thermos.
 
Bevi November 10, 2011
I have a nice little apartment above the "barn" and plenty of room in the main house. But if we have to meet halfway in your great state, B, I am game. Never been to Montana before!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian November 11, 2011
That would be so fun! I just love snowshoeing through the woods when it's snowing. There's just nothing quite like it. There's a place we particularly like to go to off Mt. Rose Meadow when we're up in Tahoe. You might be familiar with it?
 
TheWimpyVegetarian November 11, 2011
Oh - and I'll bring the schnapps!
 
boulangere November 11, 2011
Bevi, next summer in Montana, the following one in Provence!
 
Bevi November 11, 2011
I hear you loud and clear. I have friends in Meeker who have been asking me to come to their place for 20 some odd years. I'll make it a twofer.
 
boulangere November 11, 2011
CS, I'm so with you on snowshoeing when it's snowing. I did most of mine in NorCal, but I imagine my son knows your area around Mount Rose. He hikes up there a few times a week. I'm coming to Reno in January (don't know exactly when yet) to see my son and his lovely girlfriend and my sister, who will drive over from NorCal. Is there a chance we could get together?
 
boulangere November 11, 2011
Bevi, what a lovely trip you'll have. Seriously, I've started looking into options in Provence for summer of '13.
 
Bevi November 11, 2011
Please reserve 2 spots.
 
boulangere November 11, 2011
You've got it. For summer '12 for cooking and baking in Montana, I'll be posting possible date in January.
 
TheWimpyVegetarian November 11, 2011
Would love to, b, but January might be tough. I was thinking for some reason that you were heading to Reno in March. We'll be in Tahoe through New Years, and I know we're heading to Yosemite for our annual winter trip to Yosemite mid month. Then there's the Fancy Food show in SF after that. And I have an event I'm managing for 100+ folks on the 23rd. Other than that, I'm wide open :-). February is much better. Let me know when you have your dates set up and I'll do the best I can - I would love so much for us to meet!!!
 
boulangere November 11, 2011
Some commitments in my life are about to take a great change (film at 11, so to speak) and March has some definite possibilities. I envy you the mid-January trip to Yosemite. And I so remember the food show in SF. I'll definitely be going to Reno on January, but will let you know what dates in March-April will work out. Would so much love to meet up!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian November 12, 2011
Sounds great! So would I! And I'll stay up late for the film :-) so to speak.
 
lapadia November 10, 2011
OMG....chocolate, truffles, a little peppermint, this is great,! Happy Solstice...
 
boulangere November 10, 2011
Thanks, lapadia, and to you as well!
 
Panfusine November 9, 2011
BLISS!! SHEER BLISS!!
 
boulangere November 10, 2011
LOL!
 
wssmom November 9, 2011
Winter Solstice! Yay! Days get longer! Wish i could be there for the gathering but will be making these for the Floral Park Stupid Klub's annual Christmas Caroling Party!
 
boulangere November 9, 2011
The best Christmas party we ever had was a caroling party! SO envy you! Sing one out for us. The days only get longer from there.
 
inpatskitchen November 8, 2011
Oh I'm salivating already!!
 
boulangere November 8, 2011
Light a fire!
 
hardlikearmour November 8, 2011
Whoa! This sounds perfectly decadent for a celebration.
 
boulangere November 8, 2011
That's the general idea.
 
boulangere November 8, 2011
I want to go trekking with you!
 
Bevi November 8, 2011
I am here - let me know when!
 
boulangere November 8, 2011
Owls are among my favorite birds.
 
Bevi November 8, 2011
Oh my goodness! Solstice Succor. Or a treat after a snowshoe trek in the woods with the owls and the stars!