Home Recipes Beverages Hot Chocolate
ByAmy Glander and Lisa Kaminski
Updated: Nov. 16, 2023
Baby, it's sure cold outside and just the time for hot cocoa. But don't be basic! Try a few new things to put in hot chocolate that you might not have tried before!
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Start with this delicious homemade hot chocolate recipe, and then pick your favorite sweet treat from the list below to make it even tastier.
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Nutella
We know Nutella fans can’t get enough of the spread. Add a touch of Nutella to your hot cocoa as it heats. If you want to go a little further, add a splash of Frangelico to your cup!
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Pumpkin Spice
No reason to limit pumpkin spice to just your latte. Stir a bit of leftover canned pumpkin into your mug along with pumpkin pie spice.
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Vanilla or Almond Extract
Your favorite extracts for baked goods also add sweet magic to homey drinks. Try vanilla almond hot chocolate for a taste that’s out-of-this-world good!
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Spice
An easy way to add extra flavor to any cup of cocoa—be it out of the box or homemade—is to add a touch of your favorite spices. A sprinkle of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg or even cayenne can all be welcome warming additions.
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Chai
Combine one favorite cozy drink with another. Steep a bag of chai tea in your hot chocolate for added spice and flavor. Top with a little extra cinnamon for more of a kick! Here’s how you can make this chai-chocolate recipe from scratch.
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A Splash of Your Favorite Tipple
Hot chocolate is a guilty pleasure on its own, but spiked hot chocolate takes the treat to a whole new level. Just add a splash of Kahlua, bourbon, whiskey, amaretto or Irish cream.
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Chili and Orange Zest
Wake up your senses with a chili-orange hot cocoa. Add a pinch of chili powder, cayenne and orange zest to your favorite packaged hot cocoa.
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Flavored Marshmallows
We know you keep a bag of the basic mallows on hand, but hot chocoalate is an excellent excusse to snatch a few bags of the flavored ones. Our editors love Smash Mallow flavored marshmallows. Try the mint, cookie dough or cinnamon churro flavors—all are great matches for cocoa.
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White Chocolate
If you’re a white chocolate fan, skip the cocoa in your go-to hot chocoalte recipe. Instead use white baking chips and a splash of vanilla extract. Bonus points if you coat the rim in more chocolate and pretty sprinkles!
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Coffee
Turn your hot chocolate into a mocha-like drink by adding coffee or espresso. Want an easy way to get that cocoa-coffee fix? Sub coffee for the hot water or milk with your powdered cocoa mix. That’s a hack directly from theTaste of Home break room!
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Caramel, Butterscotch or Dulce de Leche
We love these sticky sweet toppings. You can add their sweetness and flavor to your favorite cocoa. Just stir in a spoonful into your favorite mix or homemade cocoa recipe.
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Peppermint
No matter how frigid the temperature, the refreshing, delicious icy taste of peppermint is a hallmark of the season. Stir in crushed candy canes or peppermint candies, mint chocolate chips, a drop of mint or peppermint extract, or fresh mint leaves.
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Biscoff Cookie Spread
Get your hot cocoa and cookie fix all in one cup. Whisk in Biscoff creamy cookie spread until smooth. Pour into mugs; top with sweetened whipped cream and a Biscoff cookie.
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Maple
Warm and cozy just met its match. Try maple hot chocolate alongside your favorite Saturday morning pancakes and syrup.
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MoreChocolate
Is your packaged hot cocoa mix leaving a little to be desired? Add more flavor by stirring in a teaspoon or two of baking cocoa or even stirring in a little chocolate syrup. This will amp up the chocolatiness and make it the perfect vehicle for all those marshmallows.
Originally Published: January 04, 2021
