There’s nothing quite like a big, steaming mug of hot chocolate to warm up on a cold day. And homemade hot chocolate recipes make things just a bit cozier.
When the nippy winter weather in metro Detroit and Ann Arbor comes knocking, it’s a perfect time for sipping some cocoa. Plus, fun fact: Jan. 31 is National Hot Chocolate day — making it all the more reason to start mixing.
Now, you could keep it simple and pour a store-bought packet of cocoa mixed into hot water. But you could also try one of the many homemade hot chocolate recipes out there.
That way, you can make up your own batch of the best homemade hot chocolate mix.
Or opt to eat your hot chocolate instead by baking up a pan or two of hot chocolate cookies (yes, they’re topped with marshmallows). Keep the oven going by making hot chocolate muffins and cookies.
Here are six of our favorite homemade hot chocolate recipes.
Homemade White Hot Chocolate
For something creamier than regular chocolate, try this homemade white hot chocolate from Gimme Some Oven. In a saucepan, heat up milk, chopped white chocolate and a hint of vanilla extract. Make sure not to let the mixture come to a boil. Pour into mugs and serve topped with a generous helping of whipped cream.
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Sure, peanut butter and chocolate make for great candy bars — but what about pairing them together for a cold-weather treat? That’s right: This recipe from Eat, Live, Run for peanut butter hot chocolate mixes in chunky or creamy peanut butter (your choice) to create an unforgettable treat.
Hot Chocolate Cookies
Capture all the goodness of a cup of hot chocolate complete with a gooey marshmallow on top. These hot chocolate cookies from Averie Cooks are fun to make — and even more fun to eat.
For the cookie batter, melt together butter and chocolate chips before stirring in brown sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add in dry ingredients, including flour, baking powder and salt. Form the dough around a piece of chocolate and bake with half of a marshmallow on top.
Hot Cocoa Chocolate Chip Muffins
What to serve with a big cup of hot chocolate? What about one of these Starbucks hot cocoa chocolate chip muffins from Amanda’s Cookin’?
The muffin batter includes plenty of cocoa powder and then a big scoop of chocolate chips. These muffins freeze well — if, that is, you have any leftovers.
‘Hot’ Chocolate Cake
Use the favorite hot drink as the inspiration for this “hot” chocolate cake from Betty Crocker. The base is a moist, chocolate cake that gets its richness from buttermilk and its “heat” from ground red pepper.
Once baked, top with bittersweet ganache that also includes ground red pepper. For the final step, add white chocolate ganache.
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