One of my favorite winter treats is a warm mug of hot chocolate with a few homemade marshmallows melting on top. But, this holiday season, I wanted to spice things up a bit. So, in the recent months, I took it upon myself to experiment with new hot cocoa recipes. The two that I believe compliment homemade marshmallows and chilly snow days are Bittersweet Hot Chocolate and Spicy Hot Chocolate. These recipes are quick and easy and will make for a lovely snowy memory with the family. 
Spicy Hot Chocolate
Description
Adding some spice to hot chocolate is a great way to up your hot cocoa game. That’s why I love this warm holiday favorite has an extra special kick.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups of milk (you can use any percent of fat you prefer)
1 1/2 tablespoons of UNSWEETENED cocoa powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
Throw all the ingredients in a small pot at the same time (I love recipes with those instructions). Turn the heat to medium-low and stir with a wire wisk until all the ingredients are incorporated into the milk.
Let the mixture heat up – but don’t let it boil.
Pour into mugs and serve immediately topped with the marshmallows.
Bittersweet Hot Chocolate
Description
This is a lovely winter recipe, perfect for chilly snow days with the kids home. It pairs nicely with some homemade fluffy marshmallows.
Ingredients
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
water
glass bowl
small pot
Instructions
Pour some water into the small pot and set it to simmer on your stove top. Not boil – just simmer.
Place the glass bowl on top of the simmer pot of water so that the bottom of the bowl sits in the pot but DOES NOT touch the water. That part is important because you don’t want to boil or burn the chocolate. You want to steam it, or ….wait for the big fancy cooking term…TEMPER it.
Cut the chocolate into coarse chunks and throw it into the glass bowl. It will begin melting.
You can use a spatula to stir it a bit.
Once the chocolate is melted, go ahead and dip the marshmallows in there. Just one side is fine. You’ll get the black and white cookie effect. Then lay them on some parchment paper to dry.
