yummy hot cocoa variations

It is that time of year again; hot cocoa weather! I found some yummy hot cocoa recipes and thought I would share. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

4 squares baker’s chocolate
2 cups milk
2 tbsp peanut butter
marshmallows
Break chocolate squares and melt in a saucepan with milk. Do not boil. Stir in peanut butter until mixture is smooth. Pour into mugs and garnish with marshmallows.

Milk Chocolate and Orange Cocoa

1/3 cup whipping cream, chilled
1 tsp brown sugar
4½ cups milk
zest from 4 large oranges
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
9 oz. milk chocolate, finely chopped
Whip cream with brown sugar until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate. Mix milk with zest from oranges in a saucepan, heating to a simmer. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes. Strain zest from the mixture and bring liquid to a simmer. Stir in cocoa powder and chocolate, whisking until smooth. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream mixture.

White Peppermint Hot Chocolate

6 hard peppermint candies, finely crushed
2/3 cup whipping cream
3½ cups milk
8 oz. white chocolate, chopped
½ tsp peppermint extract
Beat whipping cream with crushed candies until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate for at least one hour. In the meantime, heat milk on medium-low heat. Mix in chocolate and whisk until smooth. Add peppermint extract and stir thoroughly. Pour into cups and top with peppermint whipped cream mixture.

Raspberry Hot Chocolate

2 cups cream
1 cup milk
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
2 tbsp sugar
½ tsp salt
1 tbsp butter
1 cup raspberries
whipped cream
In saucepan combine cream, milk, and sugar until hot, but do not boil. Add chocolate and butter and reduce heat to simmer. Stir until chocolate is melted. Puree 1 cup raspberries and pour into the mixture, stirring until smooth. Pour into mugs and garnish with whipped cream and fresh raspberries.

Luscious Hot Chocolate

1 cup milk
1 cup half and half
1 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
8 tsp sugar
½ tsp vanilla
Heat milk, half and half, both chocolates, and sugar in a saucepan on medium-low heat until chocolates melt and sugar dissolves. Pour half of the mixture into a blender and mix until frothy. Return to the saucepan and add vanilla. Stir briefly and serve.

Aztec Hot Chocolate

2 cups milk
4 squares baker’s chocolate
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp cardamom
½ tsp ginger
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp nutmeg
Break chocolate squares and melt in a saucepan with the milk. Do not boil. Whisk until foamy. Pour into mugs. In a separate bowl, combine all spices. Mix ½ tsp of blended spices in each mug, adding more as desired.