1.Caramel Hot Cocoa
Ever wonder why almost every candy bar contains caramel? Chocolate and caramel just go together. This recipe makes a caramel-infused drink that will electrify your taste buds.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups milk, preferably whole
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- Sweetened whipped cream
- Grated chocolate for garnish, optional
- Caramel Sauce
DIRECTIONS:
Heat milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once milk is warm, stir in chocolate chips and caramel, and cook whisking constantly until chocolate has melted. Allow to cool slightly and serve warm topped, topped with sweetened whipped cream or miniature marshmallows, drizzle each serving with 1 Tbsp caramel sauce and garnish with grated chocolate if desired.
2. Cookies and Cream Hot Cocoa
We don’t know what we love more than hot chocolate, but Oreos come pretty close. That’s why we are so excited to try this recipe! The cookie crumble garnish makes this drink irresistible.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup hot chocolate mix (homemade or store-bought)
- 6 Oreo cookies
- Whipped cream for garnish, optional
- Additional crushed oreos for garnish, optional
DIRECTIONS:
In a small saucepan, heat milk until very hot but not boiling. Alternately, you can heat the milk in the microwave. In the pitcher of your blender, add hot milk, oreos and hot chocolate mix. Pulse until cookies are completely ground and there are no large pieces. Pour into two mugs and garnish with whipped cream and crushed cookies, if desired.
3. Peppermint White Hot Cocoa
This peppermint white hot chocolate puts a different twist on a classic drink but tastes just as good.
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 cup Milk
- 1/2 cup White Chocolate Chips
- 1 Peppermint Candy Cane
- 1 tsp Peppermint Extract
- Whipped Cream and crushed Peppermint Candy (for garnish)
DIRECTIONS:
Heat milk and peppermint cane over low heat in a saucepan until peppermint is melted. Add white chocolate, stirring continuously until melted. Remove from heat and stir in peppermint extract. Transfer to cups and garnish.
4. French Hot Cocoa
Warning: This hot chocolate is for the chocolate-obsessed. Inspired by the thick drink found in Parisian cafes, this recipe takes hot chocolate to the next level. Once you try this super-rich drink, you’ll never be able to go back to regular cocoa.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder (optional, but delicious.)
- 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, at least 70%, chopped
- Giant bowl of whipped cream, for serving
DIRECTIONS:
In a medium sauce pan over medium heat, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and espresso powder until small bubbles appear around edges. Do not allow the mixture to boil. Remove from saucepan from heat and stir in the chopped chocolate until melted, returning the sauce to low heat if needed for the chocolate to melt completely. Serve warm, topped with lots of whipped cream
5. S’mores Hot Cocoa
Just one look at this toasted marshmallow concoction is enough to get your mouth watering. Everything from the graham cracker rim to the chocolatey drizzle is perfection. But don’t fret; it tastes just as good as it looks.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup water (or use 3 cups milk)
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp chocolate syrup
- 2 Tbsp sugar (or add 1-2 Tbsp more sugar to taste)
- pinch salt
- graham crackers, crushed (for lining rim)
- ½ cup marshmallows
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to low broil and move oven rack to the second from the top (high enough up to broil your marshmallows). Place baking sheet on rack. Heat milk and water in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through – about 5 minutes. Be careful not to overheat or scald. Add cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, sugar, and salt and whisk vigorously until thoroughly combined.
Meanwhile, take a few marshmallows and rub them around the top of your mugs so the graham crackers will stick. Then, dip mug in graham cracker crumbs until well lined. You could also add some graham cracker crumbs to the bottom of your mug for extra graham flavor. Pour in hot chocolate and top with ¼ cup marshmallows each. Carefully set mugs on the baking sheet in the oven and broil marshmallows until browned, watching carefully as to not let them burn.
Carefully remove from the oven with a towel and serve with holders or a small towel to protect hand from heat (they should cool quickly for handling). Top with a drizzle of chocolate syrup and extra graham cracker crumbs for serving (optional).
6. Nutella Hot Cocoa
If there is anything better than eating Nutella by the spoonful, it’s this. Nutella hot chocolate takes the hazelnut spread we all love and pushes it to the next level by infusing it in a creamy, hot drink. We can’t wait to make this tonight!
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 cups low fat/skim milk
- 2 tablespoons Nutella, a chocolate hazelnut spread (or any hazelnut cacao spread)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons natural sweetener of choice/raw sugar
- Optional Toppings: Marshmallows, Crushed hazelnuts, Chocolate chips, Extra Nutella
DIRECTIONS:
Heat milk in a medium sized saucepan on medium – high heat until beginning to warm and steam. Add the spread, cocoa powder and sugar, and whisk until dissolved and combined. Bring to a gentle simmer while stirring, and take off heat.
7. Red Velvet Hot Cocoa
Just when we thought hot chocolate couldn’t get any richer, this blogger added red velvet flavor to the drink. The deep red color looks just as fabulous as it tastes, and the cream cheese whipped cream tops off a perfect cup of cocoa.
INGREDIENTS:
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 10 ounces semi-sweet baking chocolate, coarsely chopped (I used mini chocolate chips)
- 2 teaspoons McCormick® Red Food Color
- 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
For Cream Cheese Whipped Cream:
- 1/4 cup heavy cream, cold
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS:
For Red Velvet Hot Chocolate:
Place milk and granulated sugar in medium saucepan. Bring to simmer on medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate with wire whisk until melted. Stir in food color and vanilla. Pour into serving cups.
For Cream Cheese Whipped Cream
In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip cold cream until soft peaks form (this may take 5-10 minutes) Start on low and gradually increase speed to high. Place whipped cream in a medium bowl and set aside. Place cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla in bowl of stand mixer and beat until well combined and creamy. Fold in whipped cream by hand until fully combined and fluffy. Refrigerate until ready to use. Pipe onto red velvet hot chocolate.
8. Cheesecake Hot Cocoa
Who said you can’t have your cake and drink it, too? This cheesecake hot chocolate is for dessert lovers with a big appetite and an even bigger sweet tooth. Creamy and decadent, this drink is everything hot chocolate is supposed to be.