Get your hands ready, because you are going to want to wrap them around a cup of this gloriousness, post haste! Get out a pair of matching flannel pyjamas, or a onesie. Turn on the heating, or if you’re with me in Australia, the air conditioner.
Set out a platter of cookies (and get psyched for COOKIE WEEK…coming soon!), and snuggle in for a stupid, cheesy Christmas movie, whether that be Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, or my personal favourite, Die Hard.
What I’m saying is you need to get all of that stuff ready, because as soon as this Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate is done, you’re not going to be able to do anything other than sip it and savour it and wallow in it’s deliciousness.
I worked long and hard (oh so hard) on getting the formula for this baby just right. It’s perfectly balanced – nutty, salty, rich, creamy – everything I want my hot chocolate to be and more. It’s got a beautifully lush, creamy texture, because it’s slightly thickened with cornstarch, and the beauty of that is that you can easily swap out the whole milk I’ve used for skim, or almond or soy milk and still have a gorgeous drink.
To take the sweet-salty combo to the next level, I really can’t recommend enough that you eat this with a big bowl o’ pretzels. In between sips of decadent, dreamy, oh so chocolaty chocolate, crunch on a salty-bitter pretzel, dip it into the top of your cup and keep going.
And then sit back and watch Bruce Willis slowly take down a bunch of terrorists/master criminals at Nakatomi Towers. Will he make it? Will they find out about his relationship with Holly Gennero? Is Alan Rickman/Hans Gruber/Severus Snape the greatest bad-guy actor of all time?
SPOILER ALERT: the answer to all of the above questions is yes. And yes is also the answer to the question of whether or not you should make this hot chocolate. An unequivocal, joyous yes.
In case you were wondering my other favourite Christmas movies are You’ve Got Mail, because it’s just a great movie and anyone who disagrees is a grinch, and The Santa Clause, same reason. I also watch Wayne’s World every year, but that’s a personal tradition that I understand most people don’t share. What’s your goofy Christmas movie of choice?
xx Sarah.
- 2 cups (500ml) milk
- 2 tsp cornstarch (cornflour)
- 2 tsp cocoa powder
- 2 oz (50g) milk chocolate
- 1 oz (25g) dark chocolate
- ¼ cup smooth peanut butter (I used Kraft brand)
- sweetened whipped cream & pretzels, to serve
- Take a tablespoon of the milk, and mix it together with the cornstarch in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Place the remaining ingredients into a medium saucepan over a low heat.
- Heat the mixture slowly, whisking gently, but constantly until the chocolate and peanut butter are melted and the mixture is steaming - don't let it boil.
- Whisk in the cornstarch and continue to heat until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Pour the hot chocolate into two glasses and top with sweetened whipped cream and a crunchy pretzel. Serve!
This is insane. If I had peanut butter in my cupboard (gahhhh why don’t I?!?) I would make it right now.
That’s a tragedy Jenna!
Oh you clever thing- cornstarch to make it thick! Why is peanut butter hot chocolate not already a thing. I’m so glad you made it a thing :)
Let’s ALL make it a thing!
No convincing needed here! I want this make this right this second..and it’s 8am.
Dive right in, why not?
Gorgeous! I like that you thickened it slightly.
Best Christmas movie has to go to Love Actually – I think I’ve watched it like 20 times, but it gets better every time! :)
Yes Sune! How did I forget Love Actually – such a classic!
I DO need this, post haste! I love that there’s a snack recommendation built in.
I always watch Love Actually, a couple of times, during the holidays. Also, Home Alone and The Nightmare Before Christmas. This years I have also watched the Muppets Christmas Carol. And, gulp, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” a made for tv movie featuring Jonathan Taylor Thomas and a super young Jessica Biel. I blame Netflix.
I LOVE THAT MOVIE – “I’ll be home for Christmas”. I first watched that when Jonathan Taylor Thomas hysteria as at it’s height! And Home Alone! So good.
This looks like the perfect way to wash down all the cookies I’ve been eating. Love it, Sarah!
HOLY YUM!! I can’t wait to give this a try! PB Hot Chocolate and Christmas movies sounds like the perfect Saturday night in to me!
Miracle on 34th street! And it’s a Wonderful Life. Both classics that we watched every year with my grandparents. This year’s showings may include some super-decadent hot chocolate…
I look at the photos first and wondered how you got it so gorgeously thick. You clever person.
Sarah, this looks absolutely delicious! Two of my favorite things, chocolate and peanut butter, in one! Thank you for this recipe.
Everything about this is amazing. You rule.
Haha, thanks Kylie! You rule.
yes, this is impressive… but is it weird that I’m also impressed by your star pretzels? Yum!
This looks wicked good! : ) the pretzel is the perfect topping!
Oh yes please!
Ugh Sarah!! Why did I have to see this post so late at night?! I tried to resist the temptation to make it, but it looked so darn good and little voices in my head kept telling me to do it. I finally gave in and made at 1am!!! You know what?! Totally worth it. I savoured every sip. Freakin’ amazing! But I hated my self in the morning;)
YOU ARE AN EVIL GENIUS (I can feel my waistband expanding just looking at these [gorgeous!] photos). But I love you for it.
This looks crazy good! Salty, sweet heaven! And I’m glad someone finally said Die Hard at Christmas, because that has to be hands down one of my all time faves.. Christmas is just not Christmas without a little “Christmas in Hollis” , Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman!
Haha! Yes Die Hard is THE BEST Christmas movie! It has to be done every year!
UM this actually could not look better. And I love the pretzel idea!! Sweet + Savory = LIFE.
Thanks Megan! Sweet & Savoury 4 eva!
“Trapped in Paradise” is an oddball Christmas favourite if you are looking for a family friendly Christmas comedy.
If you love “You’ve Got Mail” you should try to get your hands on the original James Stewart version “The Shop Around The Corner”. It’s very touching.
The Disney version of “A Christmas Carol” is also a winner.
Definitely, the top Christmas film ever (as in, it’s not Christmas if I don’t see this) is Love Actually. Paired with this hot choc would be the dream…might just do this tonight! x
Haha, yes! Love Actually is brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! I seriously hope you do that, and please can I come over?
Totally smitten! I want to drink this while watching A Christmas Story under a warm afghan!
Muppets Family Christmas and Muppet Christmas Carol :D (I love The Santa Clause also, though!)
This PB Hot Chocolate is getting made. SOON. because omgeeeee
There are not nearly enough Muppets in my life right now – I’ll have to get on that!
Chocolate and peanut butter is the best combo of all time. kudos.
I assume it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if some whiskey found its way into the glass…?
I think we both know that that would be an amazing thing.
Just finished making this for my sister and i. I’m not a fan of hot chocolate but something compelled me to try this recipe and i am so glad. yummmmmm
That’s awesome! :)) This hot chocolate is the bomb!