Peppermint mocha meltables

There are so many people in our lives that we want to give gifts to this time of year—teachers, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. But buying gifts is expensive, and cookies eventually get stale. That's why peppermint mocha "meltables," as I like to call them, are the perfect solution. 

It's a similar concept to the popular hot cocoa bombs, but they're a lot easier to make. And they contain caffeine—something most all of us could use more of this holiday season.

I have a few helpful notes to share before we dive into the recipe.

• Use chocolate you want to eat. I don't recommend using candy melts or baking bars because they don't taste as good. It doesn't have to be top-of-the-line chocolate, but it should be pretty good quality. I used Trader Joe's dark chocolate for my meltables.
• Technically you should temper the chocolate (read more about why and how to do that here), but in my experience, it turns out just fine if you don't.
• Heat the chocolate in 30-second increments, stirring each time, because if you try to melt it all at once at one time you risk burning it. 
• Use instant dark roast coffee. It must be instant for obvious reasons. And dark roast is better because the chocolate is very sweet and the bitterness of a dark roast balances it out. 
• I recommend using a scale to weigh the amount of chocolate going into each mold so it’s evenly proportioned. 

Peppermint mocha meltables

Yield: 4 servings

Specialty equipment needed

• Snowflake mold (or other festive mold)

Ingredients

• 12 ounces dark chocolate
• 4 Tablespoons instant dark roast coffee
• 1 Tablespoon powdered creamer
• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract

Directions for meltables

1. Add chocolate to microwave-safe bowl. Heat chocolate in 20-second increments, stirring after every increment, until melted.
2. Stir in instant coffee, powdered creamer, and peppermint extract.
3. Divide mixture between four molds.
4. Place mold on baking sheet and tap baking sheet on counter several times to remove air bubbles.
5. Place baking sheet with molds in refrigerator and allow to set up for at least 10 minutes.
6. Remove meltables from molds and package as desired.

Directions for making drinks

1. Add peppermint mocha meltable to mug
2. Pour 12 ounces of very hot milk over meltable
3. Stir to combine

Recipe inspired by One Sweet Mama