Nothing “hits the spot” more than coming home after a winter day in RI than a steaming cup of heavenly hot chocolate, and of course, topped off with marshmallows, and maybe some chocolate chips added in.
If you’re looking to entertain the kids on a snowy day, they will also love sipping on this delicious treat, while enjoying watching movies and chomping on popcorn.
There are so many unique and creative hot chocolate recipes, aside from the traditional one, that I have found to be delightful, each for their own reason.
A cup of hot chocolate can be just the thing you need on a chilly afternoon or cold winter night. There’s no need to reach for that store-bought instant cocoa mix next time you get the craving, especially when you have a rich and comforting hot chocolate recipe at your disposal.
As you explore and taste these recipes from https://www.thespruceeats.com/homemade-hot-chocolate-recipes (the ones below are three that I have made for my family, and each was a huge hit), you will discover the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate. Also called “drinking chocolate,” many of the most luscious recipes melt real chocolate into warm milk, creating the ultimate comfort drink. Hot cocoa is typically a dry mix that just needs hot water or milk. It’s simple to make your own cocoa mix, and there are several ways to improve and customize it.
Old Fashioned Hot Chocolate
One of the first recipes that you will want to try is one that we all know and love… old-fashioned hot chocolate. It is simple, takes just a few more minutes than a packet of cocoa, and is so much more creamy.
Old-fashioned hot chocolate is a delicious drink for the chilly days of fall and winter. This homemade version is creamy, delicious, and surprisingly easy to make. All you need is unsweetened chocolate, milk, sugar, and vanilla.
A steaming cup of old fashioned hot chocolate is not complete without an indulgent finishing touch. Classic toppings include regular or mini marshmallows, or a big spoonful of marshmallow creme or fluff. You can also top it off with freshly whipped cream or whipped topping.
Ingredients
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/3 cup white granulated sugar
4 cups whole milk
1 pinch salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Marshmallow creme or fluff, or whipped cream, for garnish
Steps to Make It
- In a 2-quart saucepan, place the chocolate, sugar, milk, and salt. Over medium-low heat, stir gently with whisk until the chocolate melts and the mixture is well blended.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and top with a spoonful of marshmallow creme or whipped cream, if desired.
Tips: Keep your hot chocolate warm longer by serving it in preheated mugs. Either fill each cup with hot water while you’re making the drink or heat water-filled cups in the microwave for 10 seconds. Dump out the water before pouring the hot chocolate.
For this recipe, you will melt unsweetened chocolate into the milk as it warms—do this gently to avoid curdling—and add a little sugar and vanilla. The method is used to make almost every other hot chocolate, so it’s excellent practice for your sweet adventures.
Unicorn Hot Chocolate l by Leah Maroney
Utterly adorable, unicorn hot chocolate is sure to grab anyone’s attention. A yummy made-from-scratch hot white chocolate lies under the colorful array of frosting, sprinkles, marshmallows, and whipped cream. Food coloring turns it a delightful pink and makes it a charming addition to unicorn-themed parties.
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 8 ounces white chocolate, chopped
- Red or pink food coloring
- Blue frosting, sprinkles, marshmallows, and whipped cream, for garnish
Steps to Make It
- Place the whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan. Cook on low heat until it is just simmering, not boiling.
- Add in the chopped white chocolate to the warm milk mixture, whisking frequently, until the white chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.
- The amount of food coloring you need depends on what brand and type you use. If you are using red food coloring, add just one or two drops at a time and whisk until it reaches a nice light pink color. If you are using pink food coloring, you may need to add a few more drops to get the color you want.
- Dip the rim of your mugs in the blue frosting and then dip it into your pastel sprinkles.
- Pour the hot chocolate into the mugs and top with whipped cream, marshmallows, and sprinkles.
- Serve immediately with a cute straw.
Red Velvet Hot Chocolate l by Elizabeth Labau
For all of the red velvet flavor lovers, you can enjoy the taste of your favorite cake in hot chocolate form. This rich, creamy red velvet hot chocolate drink has all the flavors of the classic cake, including a cream cheese whipped cream topping that tastes just like frosting.
The recipe calls for cream cheese in the hot cocoa base. This is optional, and it does add an extra step, so feel free to skip it if you’re in a rush. However, it adds a nice subtle tang that real red velvet cake gets from buttermilk. It also makes the hot chocolate even thicker and richer.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cream cheese, optional, at room temperature
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup cream
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 8 ounces coarsely chopped white chocolate, or white chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 4 to 6 drops red food coloring, preferably gel
For the Cream Cheese Whipped Cream:
- 2 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, chilled
Steps to Make It
Note: While there are multiple steps to this recipe, this drink is broken down into workable categories to help you better plan for preparation and cooking.
Make the Hot Cocoa
- If you are using the cream cheese, combine it with a cup of milk in a blender and blend until smooth. (If you have a stick blender, you can just combine them in a medium saucepan and blend until no lumps of cream cheese remain.)
- Add the remaining hot chocolate ingredients, except for the food coloring, and combine everything in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Warm up the drink, whisking occasionally, until the white chocolate melts, the cocoa powder blends into the liquid, and the drink is creamy and smooth.
Add a few drops of red food coloring and whisk them in. Continue to add coloring until you get a deep, rich red that you like.
Make the Cream Cheese Whipped Cream
- Combine the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (a hand mixer with a whisk attachment can also be used).
- Whip the cream cheese on medium speed until it is smooth and free of lumps.
- With the mixer running, slowly stream in the cream and continue to whip until the cream cheese forms firm peaks. (The cream cheese stabilizes and thickens the whipped cream, so it’s great for scooping and piping on your hot chocolate.)
- Add a scoop to your hot chocolate mug and top with a few red sprinkles, if desired.
- Serve and enjoy.
Tip: Use gel food coloring instead of liquid food coloring. You’ll get a strong red color, without using as much food coloring as liquid would require.
