Warm up with homemade recipes for National Hot Chocolate Day

Nothing beats a warm cup of hot chocolate when the cold weather strikes. Just grab your favorite mug and a thing of marshmallows (or whipped cream) and you’re all set!

If you can’t resist a yummy cup of hot chocolate - today’s your special day. It’s National Hot Chocolate Day, and we’re taking a look at some popular recipes that might just satisfy your sweet tooth and also help you save a buck or two.

CREAMY HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE

This recipe was created by Allison Mattina, who has been creating and sharing recipes since 2013. She’s been featured on a variety of platforms, including CNN, HuffPost, Country Living and more.

If you’re bored of store-bought cocoa and want to step outside the box, here’s a recipe that might be right up your alley.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 4 cups milk (preferably whole or 2%)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Place milk, cocoa powder and sugar in a small saucepan
2. Heat over medium/medium-low heat. Keep whisking frequently until it’s warm but not boiling
3. Add chocolate chips and continue whisking until the chocolate chips melt and distribute evenly into the milk
4. Whisk in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt

CREAMY WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE

This recipe was created by Jessica Anne Formicola, the author of Beef It Up! Cookbook and food judge on Hearst Media’s Emmy-nominated Plate It! Baltimore.

Everyone loves chocolate, but we can’t forget our vanilla lovers! If you’re looking to switch things up and try something new, then Jessica has a yummy White Hot Chocolate recipe that might suit your fancy.

Here’s what you’ll need (the specific cooking measurements were not specified):

• Milk (whole milk is preferred for this recipe)
• White chocolate
• Vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Heat the milk in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat
2. Turn the milk down to low heat and add the white chocolate and vanilla extract, stirring until it’s completely melted.
3. Remove from the heat and pour yourself a mug
4. Add toppings of your choice, such as peppermint whipped cream, peppermint sticks or homemade hot chocolate sticks

PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE

This recipe was created by Amanda Biddle, who founded Striped Spatula, a blog with easy-to-follow steps for other home cooks.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup of milk
• 1/4 cup of heavy cream
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
• A pinch of kosher salt
• 3 ounces of finely chopped semisweet chocolate or chocolate chips (about 1/2 of a cup)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
• Whipped cream, marshmallows and crushed candy canes

Instructions:

1. Whisk together the milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla and peppermint extracts and salt in a pot. Heat it on the stove on medium-low until bubbles start to form around the side of the pan
2. Turn the heat to low, add chocolate and extracts and whisk until melted, glossy and thickened slightly for 1 to 2 minutes
3. Pour it into a mug and top with lightly-sweetened whipped cream or marshmallows and add a sprinkling of crushed candy canes.