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As the temperature drops outside, it’s the perfect excuse to curl up with a warm blanket, a good book, and a cup of hot cocoa. The perfect hot cocoa, however, is more than just powdered mix–though that will do in a pinch. Instead, check out these 5 hot cocoa recipes to try this holiday season. Your taste buds will thank you, and you’ll find yourself looking for more excuses to come in out of the cold and warm up again. All recipes can be substituted with nut milks and dark chocolate too

SEE ALSO: 5 Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipes You Need To Try Right Now

1. Creamy Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Have you ever been outside playing with the kids for a long time and want an easy way to warm up? Try using a slow cooker and prepare your hot cocoa before you head outside. You’ll come back to a wonderful chocolaty smell filling your house and a treat that will have the kids clamoring for a second cup.

Ingredients:

  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk (use chocolate flavored sweetened condensed milk if you want to make your hot chocolate even more rich)

  • 8 cups milk

  • 2 cups chocolate chips

Heat all ingredients on low for two hours. Stir well before serving.

2. Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

There’s nothing quite like the mixture of peanut butter and chocolate, so why not consider combining these two favorites for your family? You can always melt down a peanut butter cup, but mixing peanut butter into your hot chocolate is a little more practical. This particular recipe only makes one serving, so if you’re intending to share, you’ll need to multiply it.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder

  • 1 1/2 cups milk

  • 1 Tablespoon peanut butter

Combine the milk and cocoa powder in a pot over low heat. Stir until it’s completely combined and the mixture gets warm. Then, add the peanut butter and stir until it’s completely combined. Top with whipped cream for maximum effect.

3. White Hot Chocolate5_Festive_Hot_Cocoa-388515-edited

While many people prefer the classic dark chocolate flavor, others love the taste of white chocolate. If you’re in that number, try out this amazing white hot chocolate recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of milk

  • 4 oz white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate–high quality chocolate makes a difference!

  • 1/2 tsp vanilla

  • sprinkle of nutmeg

Combine milk and chocolate over low heat, stirring until it’s warm. Remove from heat, then add vanilla. Transfer to your mug, then add a sprinkle of nutmeg on top. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream according to your preference.

SEE ALSO: 3 Ingredient Irresitable Fudge Recipe

4. Caramel Hot Chocolate

Caramel and chocolate are more flavors that blend together beautifully, and adding caramel to your hot chocolate is the perfect way to bring a little something special to your hot chocolate.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups milk

  • 4 oz chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate

  • 1 tablespoon caramel syrup

Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan. Heat over low heat until it’s at the perfect temperature.

Top with whipped cream or marshmallows, then add a drizzle of caramel over the top.

5. Peppermint Hot Chocolate5_Hot_Cocoa_Recipes-644830-edited

No hot cocoa roundup would be complete without a peppermint hot cocoa recipe. Peppermint adds a sweet, refreshing touch to your hot cocoa treat.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups milk

  • 4 oz chopped dark chocolate (or chocolate chips)

  • 1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Heat milk and chocolate in a saucepan over low heat. Once the chocolate is melted and your hot cocoa has reached its ideal temperature, remove from heat and stir in peppermint extract. Top with marshmallows or whipped topping, then sprinkle with crushed peppermint.

Heat up your preferred cup of cocoa, and enjoy! But we highly recommend trying all 5 throughout the season. For the best hot cocoa in town, head over to the Co-op CafŽ to warm up on a cold winter day. You can find all the ingredients and more at Tidal Creek.

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