It’s almost time for Christmas! From putting up your Christmas tree, to singing iconic Christmas Carols, writing your Wishlist for Santa Clause, and, of course, drinking mugs and mugs of some deliciously sweet and warm hot chocolate! For today’s foodie feature, we, at The Modern East have listed some mouth-watering hot chocolate recipes that you absolutely have to try this winter. Grab your favorite book, your coziest blanket and your mug, and spice up your hot chocolate now! Check out the recipes below. 

KitKat Hot Chocolate

There are finely ground Kit Kats melted into and sprinkled on top of this rich hot chocolate. Bonus points if you use a whole one as a stirring stick.

Ingredients

• 2 (45 g each) Kit Kat chocolate bars
• 1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp. sugar (more or less depending on your sweetness level!)
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tbsp. boiling water
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• Pinch of salt
• Homemade whipped cream, store-bought, or whipped coconut cream for topping

Instructions

• Snap Kit Kat into 8 sticks. Reserve 2 sticks for garnish. Place the rest in a food processor and process until a fine crumb form.
• In a small saucepan, add 3 tbsp. ground Kit Kat, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Pour in boiling water and heat over medium, allowing the mixture to come together into a smooth paste, stirring frequently. Add milk and cream. Stir and raise heat, bringing it to just before a boil.
• When hot, remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide into two cups and top with whipped cream.
• Sprinkle with additional Kit Kat crumbs and sticks.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

There’s no better way to add a refreshing zing to hot chocolate than with peppermint patties. A candy cane stirrer makes it fit for a Christmas queen.

Ingredients 

• 1/4 cup cream
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp cocoa
• 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chip morsels
• 1 Tbsp Andes Peppermint Baking Chips
• Toppings: marshmallows, candy cane

Instructions

•  Add cream, sugar, milk, and vanilla to a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil.
• Remove from the heat and add cocoa, morsels, and peppermint to the saucepan.
• Whisk until everything is melted and smooth.
• Pour into mugs and top with marshmallows and a candy cane.

Salted Vanilla Hot Chocolate

Sweet vanilla powder and an unexpected touch of salt unite for a hot chocolate that stands out.

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup good quality cocoa powder, sifted
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 tablespoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Vanilla Powder
• marshmallows or freshly whipped cream (optional, for serving)

Instructions

• Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to bubble around the edges (do not let it fully boil or it will form a skin).
• Whisk together cocoa powder, sugar, sea salt, and vanilla powder.
• Pour about 1/2 cup of warm milk into cocoa powder mixture and whisk until smooth and no stray lumps of cocoa powder remain. Whisk in remaining milk until smooth. Pour into mugs and serve warm, topped with marshmallows or freshly whipped cream (if desired).