I love when season’s change and there is a chill in the air.  I love to pull out my bulky sweaters, and scarves and begin hovering over steaming mugs of tea, coffee, and delicious creamy homemade hot cocoa.  I love the smile that comes across my boys faces as they stir candy canes, marshmallows, and chocolate kisses into their mugs full of cocoa, and the pure contentment that is expressed as they finish and sit back in the chairs bellies full and bodies warm. In our family we call this look the “Fat and Happy”… I think you all know what look I’m talking about!   How can a mother not fall in love with hot chocolate when it provides such joy?  Well,  I love these recipes and I personally guarantee they will bring delight to your home as well.  Have fun trying them all!

Hershey’s “Perfectly Chocolate” Hot Cocoa by Hershey’s Cocoa

Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 to 3 teaspoons Hershey’s Cocoa
• Dash salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
1. Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in large mug.
2. Heat milk in microwave at HIGH (100%) 1-1/2 minutes or until hot.
3. Gradually add hot milk to cocoa mixture in mug, stirring until well blended.
4. Stir in vanilla.
Yields: 1 serving.

Almond Vanilla Hot Cocoa Recipe by Taste of Home

Make a double batch! Vanilla and Almond Extract give this cocoa a festive kick, that will have your friends and family coming back for more!
Ingredients
• 1 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup baking cocoa
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 cups 2% milk
• 2/3 cup water
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• Miniature marshmallows, optional
Directions
1. In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa and salt.
2. Stir in milk and water.
3. Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through.
4. Remove from the heat; stir in extracts.
Yield: 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

Creamy Crock Pot Hot Cocoa by Mrs. Happy Homemaker

Now this girl is speaking my language!  Easy , delicious, creamy, chocolate… and in bulk; Ummm Yes Please!   This is a great recipe for entertaining or to keep warm for Santa!

Ingredients
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 1 can of sweetened condensed milk (14oz)
• 2 cups milk chocolate chips
• 6 cups of milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions
1. Stir all the ingredients together in your crock pot.
2. Cover, & cook on low for 2 hours – coming back to whisk it every so often.
Garnish with marshmallows or whipped cream if desired.
Yields: 6-8 servings

Fresh Mint Hot Chocolate by NotWithoutSalt.com

I love the idea of using Fresh Mint! So delicious and takes me back to my childhood browsing in my grandmother’s herb garden.  Delish!

Ingredients
• 1 cup cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 5 sprigs fresh mint (more or less depending on desired mint flavor – this will give a pronounced flavor but not overpowering)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups (about 9 oz) chopped dark chocolate

Directions
1. Bring the cream and milk to a simmer. Add the mint, turn off the heat then let sit for 30 minutes. With the back of a wooden spoon carefully bruise the mint in the cream mixture to release some of the essential oils.
2. Add the chocolate to a medium bowl.
3. Stir the salt into the cream then bring back up to a simmer over medium-low heat. Remove the mint.
4. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let sit for one minute. Whisk the cream and the chocolate together. If some chocolate remains unmelted, simply place the bowl over a hot water bath or gently microwave at 15-30 second intervals. Stirring after each heating.
5. Add the ganache (chocolate and cream mixture) to a container and refrigerate until ready to use. Will keep in the fridge for at least 2 weeks.
6. When ready for a cup of hot chocolate add a couple of spoonfuls of ganache to a cup of heated milk. The amount is really based on taste. I like mine nice and rich so I add roughly 2 tablespoons to 6 oz of milk.
Serve with a homemade marshmallow if you so desire.