When it comes to winter beverages, no drink has as much nostalgic power as steaming hot chocolate, made with real chocolate and poured over a handful of mini-marshmallows. The comforting power of this beverage can be augmented by this drink’s near limitless versatility. Have a craving for some Reese’s peanut butter cups? Melt some into your drink. Like peppermint? Add some peppermint oil or candy cane into the mix. You can add coffee, chili powder, caramel sauce or whatever else suits your fancy. Hot chocolate has infinite customizations according to your personal preferences, and it is almost impossible to screw up. Even an eccentric home cook like me—with next to no actual culinary skills—can make a great hot chocolate. This recipe is my personal favorite, opting for melted dark chocolate as a base and brown sugar, instead of regular sugar, for a rich and creamy final product that is guaranteed to hit the spot this holiday season (unless your heart is two sizes too small). 

Serves two.

Ingredients:

• 75 grams (or about a half cup) of dark chocolate, roughly chopped (I use about 70% cocoa dark chocolate, but use your favorite kind) 
• 3 tbsp hot cocoa mix
• 3 tbsp light brown sugar 
• ½ tsp vanilla extract 
• ½ cup half & half 
• 1 ½ cups of milk 
• Mini marshmallows, to taste (optional) 

Directions:

• In a small saucepan, melt dark chocolate on medium low heat until melted.
• Then add hot cocoa mix, brown sugar, vanilla and half & half into the saucepan and whisk until all the powder is dissolved and a glossy chocolate sauce is formed.
• Finally, add milk into the chocolate sauce, whisking until the mixture is a consistent color.
• Serve in two mugs and pour mixture over marshmallows. 
• Allow hot chocolate to cool  and marshmallows to melt, then enjoy. 

Will you be trying out this recipe? Let us know in the comments below.

Gallery • 6 Photos

Bailey Blackburn

Staff writer Natalya Horstmeier scoops a cup of warm hot cocoa.