Let’s face it, winter stinks. It’s no fun being cold and trapped inside for months on end. But, if there’s one bright spot of the season, it’s hot chocolate.
There’s no better way to warm up after being outside in the frigid temperatures than to sit in front on the fireplace with a steaming hot cup of hot chocolate. Everyone knows the basic way to make hot chocolate – with milk and cocoa. But anyone looking for some additional zip to there steamy beverage should try one of these recipes the next time a little extra warmth and comfort are needed.
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
As the saying goes, they’re two great tastes that taste great together. Add a little more flavor to your traditional hot chocolate by adding some peanut butter to it.
Just warm up a combination of ½ cup of skim milk and ½ cup of heavy cream. Just before it gets to the boiling point (don’t let it come to a full boil or it will scorch), add 4 oz of chopped milk chocolate and ¼ cup of creamy peanut butter. Continue to warm the mixture until the chocolate and peanut butter are melted and combined.
Nutella Hot Chocolate
Everyone loves Nutella on toast, waffles, or even just a spoon. Now you can have it in your hot chocolate, too. Warm up 1 cup of whole milk until just before it boils. Add 2 Tbs. of Nutella, 1 Tbs. of cocoa, and just a pinch of salt to cut the sweetness. Simmer on low heat until the Nutella is melted and all the ingredients are combined. It’s sinfully good.
Caramel Hot Chocolate
Caramel is a hot (forgive the pun) flavor right now. You can find myriad incarnations of it just about anywhere. Caramel hot chocolate is a recipe you’ll want to have in your arsenal. It’s rich, decadent, and just too good to be true. Start by warming ½ cup of milk and ¼ cup heavy cream. Just before it boils, add 5 oz. chopped milk chocolate and 3 Tbs. caramel sauce. Simmer on low heat until the chocolate melts and the caramel is combined in.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Nothing can warm you up on a cold Christmas morning like a cup of peppermint hot chocolate. Thankfully it needs just three simple ingredients. Warm up 1 cup of whole milk then add ½ cup of chocolate chips and 1 tsp. of peppermint extract. Continue warming until the chocolate melts. Then sit and enjoy!