12 Days of Hot Chocolate

I love hot chocolate all year round, but at Christmas time it is fun to experiment with different recipes. Let me know if you find one that it is a family favorite!

Skinny Santa Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
• 1 cup lowfat milk
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons water
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions
Heat the milk and the cinnamon stick until just simmering. In a mug, stir together the cocoa powder, sugar and water until a paste forms. Pour the milk into the mug and stir to mix well (remove the cinnamon stick if desired). Stir in the vanilla. Top with shaved dark chocolate if desired.

Plump and Jolly Elf Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
• 6 cups whole milk (or use half and half for an even jollier elf!)
• Chocolate Sauce, (recipe below)
• Whipped cream, optional
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate shavings or small pieces

Directions
Bring the milk to a simmer and whisk it into the chocolate sauce. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream.

Chocolate Sauce:
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 1/8 teaspoon grated orange zest

Over low heat, bring the cream, sugar, cinnamon and butter to a rolling boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate until it melts. Add the orange zest before serving.

White Christmas Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 cups half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
In a medium saucepan, combine the white chocolate chips and heavy cream over medium heat. Stir continuously until the chocolate is completely melted, then add the half-and-half, and vanilla extract. When it is heated through, it is ready to serve.

Jingle All The Way Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon instant espresso or coffee powder (leave this out if kids are sharing!)

Directions
Heat the milk and half-and-half over medium heat to just below the simmering point. Remove from the heat and add both chocolates. When the chocolates are melted, add the sugar, vanilla extract, and espresso and whisk vigorously. Reheat gently and serve immediately.

I Caught Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
• 4 cups whole milk
• 4 cups half and half
• 1 pound white chocolate, chopped
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Seeds scraped from 2 vanilla beans
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup orange flavored liqueur (such as Grand Marnier) but this is for Mommy only!

Directions
Over medium heat, bring the milk and half-and-half to just below simmering. Remove the pan from the heat and add the white chocolate. Add the vanilla to the melted chocolate, along with the vanilla bean seeds, and 1/4 to 1/3 cup orange liqueur, according to taste, and whisk vigorously. Gently reheat, then serve.

Sleigh Ride Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
• 4 cups whole milk
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup sugar
• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 ounces butterscotch chips
• Whipped cream for garnish
• 1 toffee bar (such as a Heath bar) crushed for garnish

Directions
Bring the milk, water and sugar to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate and butterscotch chips until they melted. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and crushed toffee.

Feliz Navidad Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 4 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• cayenne pepper

Directions
Bring the milk and sugar to a simmer. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, and a small pinch of cayenne pepper with a wooden spoon and let steep for 3 minutes. Reheat over low heat until it simmers.
Strain the chocolate before serving.

Winter Wonderland Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6 1/2 cups hot water
• Mini Marshmallows

Directions
In a large saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, vanilla and salt; mix well. Over medium heat, slowly stir in hot water; Heat thoroughly, but do not boil. Top with marshmallows.

Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
• 3/4 cup milk
• 3/4 cup half-and-half
• 2 strips orange peel
• 2 strips lemon peel
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, very finely chopped
• whipped cream, for garnish

Directions
Heat the milk, half-and-half, orange peel and lemon peel to simmering, and simmer for about 2 minutes. Do not let it boil.
Remove the peels and add chocolate, whisking until melted.
Serve topped with whipped cream.

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
• 2 cups hot milk
• 1 serving cocoa mix
• 1 tablespoon crushed peppermint stick
• 1 whole peppermint stick

Directions
Stir together milk, cocoa mix and crushed peppermint stick in a large mug. Garnish with a whole peppermint stick.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
• 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
Combine chocolate chips, half-and-half, and cinnamon over medium heat. Stir frequently with wooden spoon until the chocolate chips are meted; about 5 minutes. Do not let it boil.
Serve and enjoy!

Deck The Halls Hot Chocolate Tea

Ingredients
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon loose-leaf Earl Grey tea
• 1 teaspoon loose-leaf Darjeeling tea
• 1 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Pinch ground ginger
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 6 ounces chopped dark chocolate
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
Heat water to a boil in a saucepan. Add the tea leaves, turn off the heat, and steep for 5 minutes. Strain the tea, then return in to the pan and add the star anise, cinnamon stick, ginger, and heavy cream. Heat over medium heat until cream scalds, but do not let it boil over.

Put the chocolate in a medium bowl and strain the cream mixture into the chocolate. Add the vanilla and whisk until the chocolate is melted. This can be served hot or chilled.