8 Varieties of Hot Chocolate That Will Warm Your Bones This Winter

By Melody Chi on January 27, 2015

Image via John Loo on Flickr.com

Now, these hot chocolate variations are ranked in no particular order, so the only order I’ll give you is to try them all out as soon as possible!

After all, there’s nothing better than drinking a cup of liquid goodness to warm your bones on a cold and rainy winter day.

1.) Mexican Hot Chocolate with Spicy Dulce de Leche Whipped Cream:

Image via elana’s pantry on Flickr.com

Okay, so that title sure is a (delicious) mouthful, but so is this Mexican hot chocolate once you give in and make it, like you know you want to!

This recipe combines the best of both worlds: cinnamon and vanilla-y Mexican hot chocolate AND cayenne and brown sugar-flavored dulce de leche whipped cream.

I know, that’s enough to send you into the best sugar coma you’ve ever experienced.

2.) Nutella Hot Chocolate:

Have you ever thought that adding Nutella to anything automatically makes it better? Because I definitely have, and in this case, it’s completely true.

This recipe substitutes chocolate pieces or cocoa mix with half a cup of Nutella spread. Just add hot milk, and bam! Can you say instant party favorite?

3.) S’mores Hot Chocolate:

Image via Pete on Flicker.com

Yeah, that’s what I said. Why didn’t you thought of this yourself? I don’t know, but I definitely hadn’t either. But that’s okay, because there’s now a recipe for this that you can follow and pretend you invented.

The recipe is simple enough: you broil marshmallows (large or mini … or both, let’s be honest here) in the oven and layer them on top of whatever hot cocoa strikes your fancy.

And if you’re feeling particularly fancy, you can top off your s’mores hot chocolate with some crushed graham cracker crumbs fixed onto the rim of your mug, like the recipe suggests.

See? The campfire is completely optional, but you can still have your cocoa and drink it too.

4.) Vegan Dark Chocolate Maple Hot Chocolate:

Image via John Lillis on Flickr.com

You didn’t think I’d leave out an option for my friends with more strict dietary needs, did you? Well, shame on you if you did, because this is one recipe specifically for all of them.

Instead of regular dairy milk, this recipe calls for soy milk, almond milk, or any other non-dairy milk. Then, you mix in milk-and-sweetener-free dark chocolate cocao powder, maple syrup, cinnamon and ground cayenne pepper for the ultimate vegan luxury.

Of course, this is also for any non-vegans who just want to enjoy a spectacular maple-y masterpiece, and I assume you can also make it with dairy milk if that’s what you prefer.

So basically, no matter what, this flexible recipe will leave you feeling pampered, and perhaps a little bit of Canadian pride as well.

5.) White Hot Chocolate:

Are you tired of the same old milk or dark chocolate cocoa? Then this recipe is perfect for you!

Paula Deen’s white hot chocolate is a luscious, indulgent treat. Made with goodness like heavy cream, half-and-half, vanilla extract, and white chocolate chips, this easy-to-follow recipe will knock your socks off.

But you’ll still be warm from the inside out, because this beverage will stay with you for a while—as in, I don’t think I’d be able to pry it from your fingers with a crowbar.

However, if you’re wary of making this drink too rich, the comments on Deen’s page supply endless alternatives to her recipe. Using 2% milk instead of heavy cream or substituting low fat half-and-half for regular are just two such suggestions that will cut down on the potential heaviness of this delicacy.

So experiment away! I’m positive you won’t be disappointed with any of your results.

6.) Cookies and Cream White Hot Chocolate:

Okay, so I have a confession to make: I can be kind of an indecisive person. If there’s any room for me to be wishy-washy about a decision, it’ll happen.

So I looked at the previous recipe and thought, “What if I wanted white hot chocolate, but with a little regular chocolate in it?” And this recipe answered my prayers.

This hot chocolate uses white chocolate chips as the scrumptious base for the whole “white” part, but then adds crushed cookie crumbs (from cookies like Oreos) into the mix.

Now, I hate to repeat myself, but I kinda sorta think this’ll make your day, just maybe.

7.) Marshmallow Fluff Hot Chocolate:

Image via Addapinch.com

This is another simple yet magnificent recipe that uses ingredients you thought couldn’t get any better than they are on their own. BUT THEY CAN. I know, my mind is being blown as I write this too.

Even better, the process is entirely straightforward: mix up your favorite hot chocolate, then top it with a generous dollop of marshmallow fluff, which is basically a spreadable marshmallow crème. (And if you didn’t know what that was, I’d have to declare that you’ve never actually lived.)

The recipe suggests roasting the marshmallow fluff topping with a handheld kitchen torch, but gives you the easier alternative of toasting the topping in the oven if you don’t have one of those, which is honestly probably most of us.

In my opinion, blending the hot chocolate with marshmallow fluff AND topping the cocoa with it would create the best drink you’ve ever had, but don’t take my word for it—try it now!

8.) Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate:

Image via Reddiwip.com

Are you sensing a theme? That’s right, simple recipes with big results! And this is yet another that falls into that category.

Now, I won’t go on a long tangent about it, but Reese’s are my favorite candy. Oh, they’re yours too? That’s what I thought. Well, this drink is like a melted Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in a mug, so I don’t think I’ll be hearing any complaints from the peanut gallery (get it?).

All you have to do to obtain this amazing delight is to mix your preferred hot chocolate with creamy peanut butter (or crunchy if you’re feeling particularly adventurous), and viola! You have a peanut buttery concoction just for you.

This recipe suggests topping it with whipped cream and sprinkles, and I have to say that I really can’t see anybody going wrong with that.

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