by Marisa Seager
Last year I wrote an article titled “Chai You’ve Gotta Try”, but this year I’m switching it up to yet another favorite that is always in season – chocolate.
Here are some of the coziest hot chocolate recipes to try this season:
- Vanilla Almond Hot Chocolate
- Ingredients: 1 cup sugar, 2/3 cup baking soda, ¼ teaspoon salt, 8 cups 2% milk, 2/3 cup water, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon almond extract, and miniature marshmallows (optional)
- In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa, and salt. Stir in the milk and water. Cook and stir the mixture over medium heat until it is heated all the way through. Now is the time to turn off the heat and stir in the extracts. Serve with marshmallows.
- Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
- Ingredients: 5-1/2 cups 2% milk, 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream, 4 teaspoons crushed peppermint candies, 12 ounces white baking chocolate, ¾ teaspoon peppermint extract, and miniature marshmallows (optional)
- In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until bubbles start to form around the sides of the pan. In the meantime, beat cream in a bowl until still peaks form. Fold in 1 teaspoon of crushed candies. Whisk the chocolate into the milk until smooth. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the extract. Serve with leftover sprinkled candies and marshmallows.
- Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
- Ingredients: ¼ cup packed brown sugar, ¼ cup baking cocoa, 1 tablespoon molasses, 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger, ½ teaspoon ground allspice, dash of salt, 3 cups whole milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and whipped cream
- In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, baking cocoa, molasses, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground allspice, and salt. As you combine these ingredients, gradually add in milk. Cook and stir the mixture over medium heat until it is heated all the way through. Remove it from the heat, stir in the vanilla, and serve with whipped cream topping.
Of course, all of these recipes are written to make hot chocolate the old-fashioned way but feel free to add in some of these extra ingredients to your standard hot chocolate mix. Don’t worry, I won’t judge!
Original recipes from: https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/hot-chocolate-for-the-holidays/
