Today was our first good shot of snow, so winter has officially begun. One of my favorite things to do when it snows is to make hot chocolate with my son and look out the window at all of the “sparkles” as he calls it. Here are some great hot chocolate recipes that you can make with your loved ones or drink while curled up reading a book.

Lavender Hot Chocolateimage

4 cups whole milk
1 tbsp dried lavender and extra for garnish
3/4 cup hot chocolate mix
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Toasted marshmallows

Directions
Add milk to a medium saucepan;add in the lavender;set over medium heat and bring to a heavy simmer.
Remove from the heat and steep for 5-8 minutes, longer for a stronger lavender flavor.
Return saucepan to heat; whisk in hot chocolate mix. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract.
Top with toasted marshmallows and a sprinkle of dried lavender.

Spicy Maple Cinnamon Hot Chocolateimage

2 1/2 cups whole milk
6 tbsp Dutch process cocoa
2-3 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp ground cayenne
Pinch sea salt
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Directions
Pour the milk into a medium sized sauce pan and set over medium-low heat. Whisk in the chocolate, maple syrup, and spices. Continue whisking until milk is hot and steamy.
Meanwhile, separately whisk the heavy whipping cream into soft peaks.
Pour steaming hot chocolate into mugs, add some whipped cream and a cinnamon stick for garnish.

White Hot Chocolateimage

2 cups of milk or cream
2-3 ounces of white chocolate or white chocolate chips
1 vanilla bean pod
Whipping cream for topping

Directions
Add all ingredients to a medium sauce pan and warm over medium-low heat, whisking occasionally until the chocolate has completely melted and it has come to a simmer. Remove from heat, pour into mugs and garnish with whipped cream.

Red Velvet Hot Chocolateimage

1/2 cup chopped bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate
1 to 1 1/2 tsp red food coloring
1 tsp vanilla
Whipped cream for garnish

Directions
Heat the milk over medium heat and whisk in the chocolate. Whisk until melted.
Stir in the food coloring and vanilla.
Pour into mugs and serve with whipped cream and chocolate shavings for garnish.

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolateimage

2 1/2 cups milk
1/3 cup hot cocoa mix
1/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt
Whipped cream

Directions
In a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat, mix together milk, hot cocoa mix, vanilla, and pinch of salt.
Add pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice.
Heat thoroughly, whisking until it’s simmering.
When it begins to simmer, take off heat and pour into mugs. Top with whipped cream and marshmallows.

Salted Peanut Butter Hot Chocolateimage

1/4 sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup water
3 cups milk
3-4 tbsp creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
In a saucepan, add the sugar and cocoa and whisk until smooth. Then, whisk in the milk over medium-high heat.
Heat until steaming.
Remove the pan from the heat and add the peanut butter and chocolate chips. Let sit for a few seconds, then whisk until frothy.
Finish with a touch do sea salt and some toasted marshmallows.

Toasted Marshmallow Cream Hot Chocolateimage

1/2 cup marshmallow fluff
2 cans coconut milk (14 oz)
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3/4 cup milk
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
12 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp nutmeg

Directions
Combine the milks, cream,chocolate, vanilla extract, salt and. Mix together in a sauce pan and stir constantly until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is heated through.
Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and top with marshmallow fluff.

I hope that you take some time out of your day to enjoy these recipes. They are great for if you have a chill that you can’t get rid of and are even better to share with friends and family. Enjoy!

xo Stephanie