Tasty Twists on Hot Cocoa

Photo: Media Bakery 

White Hot: When making cocoa from scratch, replace classic chocolate chips with white chocolate chips for a lighter but just-as-delicious drink. Add a drop of vanilla extract and plunk in a couple of mini marshmallows.

Marvelously Minty: Stir a bit of crushed peppermint candy cane or diced fresh mint leaves into each cup. Top with whipped cream and red or green sprinkles, a mint leaf, or a mini candy cane.

Muy Caliente: Combine a mix of spices like paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper in a bowl. When well blended, add 1/4 teaspoon of the mixture to each hot cocoa drink and stir. What a kick!

Gingerbread: Add a few thin slices of ginger root and a bit of cinnamon powder and ground nutmeg to your pot of cocoa as you heat it. Top with whipped cream and a mini gingerbread man.

Stephanie Cajigal is a health, fitness and beauty writer who lives in New York City. 

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