Minty or nutty, spicy or spiked, extra-creamy or dairy-free—no matter how you like your hot chocolate, we've got a version to please your palate and chase away every chill.
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After a day of fun in the snow—when it's so cold that it seems like your fingers are made from frost themselves—there's nothing better than wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of hot chocolate. We know that homemade hot chocolate provides so much more flavor than boxed varieties, and it's surprisingly easy (and well worth the effort) to whip up this comforting wintertime treat from scratch, especially with our tried-and-true recipes.
We've rounded up a dozen recipes that strike a perfect balance between the warm, rich notes of chocolate and the creamy smoothness of milk. And if you don't drink milk, don't worry! We've also included recipes that use alternative milks. No matter which liquid you use as a base, one thing's guaranteed: All of these hot chocolate recipes are decadent in the best way possible. There's also something for every type of hot chocolate drinker. Those who adore dark chocolate will want to make our Spiced Hot Dark Chocolate, pictured here; if you prefer a sweeter cup of cocoa, try one of our recipes with milk chocolate base instead.
Part of what makes a mug of hot chocolate so appealing is what goes on top. In fact, some might say a cup of hot chocolate is as much about the fun toppings as it is about the actual cocoa itself. A touch of whipped cream and a few marshmallows are much needed (like the snowflake ones shown here!), but the ideas don't stop there; we've thought of other fun ways to customize marshmallows and hot chocolate, and ingenious ways to incorporate seasonal flavors like cinnamon and peppermint, too. Our favorite hot chocolate recipes prove just how easy creating a perfect cup of cocoa is.
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Champurrado
Just when we thought hot chocolate couldn't get any better, Martha StewartLiving photo editor Joanna García introduced us to champurrado, a Mexican treat that ups the sweetness with granular Mexican chocolate and piloncillo (a raw form of sugar), and the richness with masa harina (dried corn flour). Served on the holiday of Epiphany (January 6) and enjoyed all winter, it's traditionally prepared with a wooden whisk, or molinillo, but wire works, too.
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Test Kitchen's Favorite Hot Chocolate
The intense chocolate flavor of cocoa plus the richness of melted chocolate combine with whole milk and a touch of heavy cream in this decadent recipe. Our food editors say this warming drink is divine made with bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, depending on your preference.
It's like a certain kind of chocolate candy in liquid form, this drink is altogether decadent and just our kind of peanut butter cup. Should you prefer your hot chocolate in solid form, this recipe can also be made into Hot-Cocoa Ice Pops.
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Nutella Hot Chocolate
If you've ever longed to attack the Nutella jar with a spoon, try this two-ingredient hot chocolate instead. It'll go down smoother and stretch your jar of chocolate-hazelnut sweetness further.
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Candy Cane Hot Cocoa
Chocolate and peppermint are the holidays' hottest couple, but we think they're a perfect match year-round. What were you going to do with those leftover candy canes, anyway? (Our Candy Cane Hot Cocoa shares the silver tray in the photo with our Honey Buttered Hot Toddy.)
Made with almond or soy milk and dark chocolate plus cinnamon, cardamom, and a touch of cayenne, this dairy-free chocolate is warming inside and out.
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White Hot Chocolate
White chocolate is simply mixed with milk and vanilla for a creamy take on everyone's favorite wintertime treat.
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Rich Frozen Hot Chocolate
All the wonderful flavor and creamy texture of our ultimate chocolate drink, but it's served chilled instead of hot! Some of the mixture is frozen, some is refrigerated, then the two are combined with whipped heavy cream.
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Hot Chocolate with Marshmallow Hearts
Unlike our marshmallow snowflakes, these hearts aren't made from scratch. Instead, they're cut from supersize store-bought puffs. The chocolaty base, though, is all homemade—and the message says "made with love."
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Homemade Hot Chocolate
We sometimes wax nostalgic for the days when those packets of powder made our favorite drink, so we came up with our own take on a powdered mix. It won't make you choose between taste and convenience (and makes great gifts when portioned into decorative jars).
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Golden Hot Chocolate
White chocolate fans will love this warming, spicy take on hot chocolate made with whole milk, chopped white chocolate, cinnamon, and turmeric. Those anti-inflammatory spices make this hot chocolate a veritable health drink.
If you are near an electrical outlet, a coffee pot warmer makes it easy to transfer the delicious beverage from your stove-top to the outdoors. Keep it low, and the temperature will be just right! However, a large thermos container is super handy if you're in a setting with no electricity!
Cocoa - If your cocoa is pre-made, serve it in either an insulated carafe or a thermos with a spout. This will keep the hot chocolate warm and make it easy for guests to pour.
To ensure the best taste and consistency, it is recommended to consume the hot chocolate within 2-3 hours. However, if you are looking for a longer storage option, using a vacuum-insulated flask can help keep the hot chocolate fresh for up to 6 hours.
It not only warms you up but its velvety taste makes for a decadent sipping experience. This is a result of the several chemical compounds present in chocolate that trigger the brain to release endorphins.
After the hot chocolate is heated above 140 degrees F and everything is melted, you can hold it in your slow cooker on the “warm” setting for 2 hours. After that, store it in the refrigerator and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
A: This cooler is insulated meaning it can keep things hot or cold. Ice is needed to keep things cold so you would need a heat source to keep the hot chocolate warm.
If you are feeling the chill, then sipping on a hot cup of hot chocolate will not only taste great, but it will help your body to warm up and get you back to a temperature that is comfy and cosier.
As with any cooked food, the shelf life of hot chocolate should be about 3 to 5 days in the fridge, with a cumulative stay in the danger zone of no longer than 2 hours.
But as with any pantry item, it's natural to wonder: Does hot chocolate powder go bad? The short answer is yes, it can. While the powder typically has a long shelf life, it's not immune to spoilage. Typically, it lasts for around two years if you take care to store it properly.
Enjoying a mug of hot chocolate daily is typically considered safe, provided it's consumed as part of a balanced, varied diet and lifestyle. However, the safety of drinking hot chocolate every day largely depends on the composition of the hot chocolate and one's individual health circumstances and dietary restrictions.
Warm beverages like herbal teas, hot water with lemon, or ginger tea can temporarily raise our body temperature due to their warmth and specific properties. Read on as we list beverages you can add to your winter diet to keep your body warm.
7‑Eleven's Winter Wonderland Cocoa is a hot, rich cocoa blended with a cool candy cane flavor that will have customers dusting off their snow boots and getting cozy by the fire! Pair the winter classic with chocolate sauce and creamer and you've got the quintessential wintery treat.
Tips & Tricks. How to keep the water warm or milk for the hot cocoa bar? Simply place the water or milk in a crockpot and turn it on warm or low. If you don't have a crockpot you can also add the water to a large pot and simmer on the stove.
Place the hot cocoa on one side of the table next to a selection of mugs. Turn the slow cooker (if using) to "keep warm" and set a ladle nearby. If using an urn, set a dish under the spout to collect any drips. Adjacent to the hot cocoa, arrange the toppings in bottles or bowls with spoons and tongs for serving.
If you're serving warm beverages, you can use a slow cooker or insulated urn to keep them hot. If you have to use the stove top, keep the heat very low or consider just warming small batches as you need them because the alcohol can easily cook off.
Whether you're serving hot chocolate, tea, ginseng, barely, matcha, cappuccino, or other soluble products, our machines are designed to make dispensing a breeze. Browse our selection and discover the perfect hot beverage dispenser for you.
Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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