The Best Cocoa Recipes to Try This Winter!

Edited By: Simone N.

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When the temperature drops, and the outdoors become uninviting, there's nothing better than curling up on your couch with a homely drink, such as a heavenly cup of hot chocolate. To me, this is one of the best things about winter, and recently, I've found out this drink doesn't have to be just plain milk and cocoa. And forget about expensive café specialties - this winter, tempt yourself with some home-made hot chocolate variation delights for you and your guests to huddle over. Here are 6 delicious recipes you won't be able to resist!


1. Pumpkin Spice White Hot Chocolate

Image & recipe source: tatertotsandjello.com
A smooth alternative to the regular hot chocolate you know, using white chocolate and some pumpkin spice to make it all the more inviting.
SHOW RECIPE ↓ Yield: 2 cups Ingredients: 1 cup of heavy cream (heated) 2 cups of milk 1 cup of good quality white chocolate chips (or chopped white chocolate) 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice Whipped cream and additional pumpkin spice to sprinkle on top Instructions: Pour milk in a pan and warm on medium heat, until hot but not boiling. Stir occasionally. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the heated cream, milk, and white chocolate chips. Stir until the chips are melted. Add vanilla extract and pumpkin spice. Top with optional whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice.

2. Coconut Tres Leches Hot Chocolate

Image & recipe source: melskitchencafe.com
If you rarely find time for hot chocolate in the morning, believe me - you will now!
SHOW RECIPE ↓ Yield: 4 cups Ingredients: 2 cups milk (anything from fat-free to whole milk) 1 (14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk, light or regular 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk (about 1/2 of a 14-ounce can) 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Sweetened whipped cream (optional) Chocolate shavings (optional) Instructions: Pour milk, coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk in a medium saucepan, and whisk well to combine. Place mixture on medium-low heat and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally so that it doesn't scorch at the bottom of the pan. Once it simmers, add the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Serve the hot chocolate topped with some optional sweetened whipped cream, chocolate shavings, marshmallows, or any other topping of your choice.

3. Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

Image & recipe source: sugarhero .com
Topped with dripping caramel sauce over whipped cream, this hot chocolate will be the ultimate treat for your taste buds.
SHOW RECIPE ↓ Yield: 8 cups Ingredients: 1½ cups granulated sugar ¼ tsp fresh lemon juice 4½ cups room temperature milk 8 oz milk chocolate, finely chopped 2 oz dark chocolate, finely chopped Big pinch salt Whipped cream and caramel sauce, to garnish (optional) Instructions: Place the sugar in a small bowl and add the lemon juice, rubbing until the sugar is damp and fragrant. Place a medium saucepan over medium heat and let it preheat for some minutes, until hot. Add the sugar and start stirring immediately. Continue stirring until it liquefies and changes into an amber color. Pour in the milk and keep stirring in order to achieve a smooth liquid. Once the milk starts to simmer, remove the pan from the heat. It is important to make sure it doesn't boil. Add the chocolates to the pan and whisk until the mixture is smooth and the chocolate melts. Add a pinch of salt, or as much as desired. Serve with some optional whipped cream and caramel sauce if desired. It may be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

4. Salted Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Image & recipe source: oneordinaryday .wordpress.com
Fan of peanut butter? Add it to your hot chocolate for one tasty drinking delight!
SHOW RECIPE ↓ Ingredients: 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup cocoa 1/4 cup water 3 cups milk 3-4 tablespoon creamy peanut butter 1/2 c. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips or 3 oz. finely chopped chocolate Instructions: In a saucepan, combine the sugar and cocoa. Whisk in the water until smooth, followed by the milk, over medium-high heat. Heat until steaming. Remove the pan from the heat and add the peanut butter and chocolate chips. Let sit for a short while. Using a hand-held immersion blender, blend the mixture or whisk it until frothy. Serve your hot chocolate with a pinch of sea salt on top and some toasted marshmallows.

5. Nutella Hot Chocolate

Image & recipe source: nalleshouse.com
For all Nutella lovers out there - if you thought hot chocolate was tempting, this variation will take it to the next level!
SHOW RECIPE ↓ Yield: 2 cups Ingredients: 2 cups milk 2-3 tablespoons Nutella Cinnamon Pinch of salt Marshmallows and whipped cream (for topping) Instructions: In a small saucepan, pour the milk and place it over medium-low heat to warm it up. Once it starts to warm up, whisk in 2-3 heaping tablespoons of Nutella. Heat as much as needed. Whisk in some cinnamon and a pinch of salt for an added salty/spicy touch. Garnish the hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream before serving.

6. Broiled Bailey's Hot Chocolate

Image & recipe source: amandakbythebay .com
For the perfect evening drink, add a touch of Bailey's to your hot cocoa, complete with some baked, melted marshmallows to make it even more tempting.
SHOW RECIPE ↓ Yield: 3 cups Ingredients: 3 cups milk 1/3 cup Half-and-Half 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup Bailey's Irish Cream Marshmallows Instructions: In a small saucepan, add milk and Half-and-Half. Place on medium heat to warm up. Add chocolate chips to the saucepan and let them melt into the mixture, whisking frequently. Once the mixture is well combined, stir in the Bailey's. Transfer the mixture to oven-safe mugs. Set your broiler to low. Top the hot chocolates with marshmallows and place them under the broiler, leaving the oven door open. Once the marshmallows have toasted nicely, remove the mugs from the oven and enjoy!