Hot Chocolate Stir Sticks

Okay, now y'all are really going to fall over.  TWO recipes in one day?  I know, I've outdone myself :).  Actually, I saw these on Pinterest (sigh), so I made my own slightly different version.  I took them to a fun Welcome Winter party last night, and they were a total hit, so I had to share!  Here's the pin I saw from Good Housekeeping.  Cute, huh?  I know, and SOOO easy!

But I like a little peppermint in my hot chocolate, and the straws seemed a little useless, so I did candy canes instead.  Here's what you need:  Candy canes (two dozen or so), large marshmallows (I used the regular large ones, not the ginormous ones, they don't look like they would even fit in a cup, but you could try them!), round nonpereil colored sprinkles, milk chocolate chips.

This photo uploaded sideways and I am too lazy to fix it, but unwrap your candy canes and shove them into a marshmallow as shown below

 melt your chocolate chips in the microwave in a small bowl according to the package directions (I only did about 1 1/2 cups of chips at a time to keep it from hardening before I had used it all). Pour your sprinkles into a small shallow dish.

Dip your marshmallow into the chocolate and spin until sides are covered

 then dip directly (lightly) into the sprinkles

 and place on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper to cool ( you can put them in the fridge for 10 - 15 minutes to help them set faster)

Arrange on a cute tray (they won't stand up because the candy canes are too heavy, unlike the straws, but they look cute laying down :)

 And serve with Stephen's Gourmet Milk Chocolate hot chocolate.  Yes, if you love yourself or your friends, you HAVE to use Stephen's. Trust me, it's worth it.  You can get it at some Costco and Wal-Mart locations, or on the Stephen's Gourmet website). No, they didn't pay me to say that :), it's just that good. Mix it up in your Cocoa Latte (also a must, it keeps it mixing and warm all day, LOVE that thing :), and serve at your Christmas/winter themed party.

 So cute, and SOOO delicious!  The marshmallow and chocolate melts into the hot chocolate, making it extra rich and creamy, and the candy canes start to dissolve into it, giving it a peppermint kick.  LOVE these, my kids are begging me to make more!

 ENJOY!