Hot chocolate toppings and mix-ins you need to try
 

A mug of hot chocolate is a great way to warm you up or wind you down at the end of the day. From white to dark hot chocolate, and everything in between, it's so versatile, comforting and fun. Here are a few different toppings or mix-ins to try the next time you're making a cup. Please note that a few of these come from Swiss Miss, a hot chocolate company.

Marshmallows are a typical topping, but they are sort of limitless. Use a big marshmallow, a few small ones, or get creative: try flavored marshmallows, chocolate filled ones, or chocolate covered marshmallows, like in those candies you can purchase. Use Peeps in your hot chocolate and see how it turns out.

Cool whip or whipped cream are also common toppings, but they are a favorite as well. They add a nice creamy taste to the hot chocolate once melted. Try adding chocolate or sprinkles over the top of your whipped cream

Mint hot chocolate is a tasty flavor that can sometimes be purchased, but you can also make your own. Dissolve a mint or two into your mug, or use a candy cane as a stirrer. Sometimes, candy cane spoons are available for purchase but those tend to be out around Christmas.

Add some other forms of chocolate! Some candy companies make "hot chocolate melt-a-ways" which are small pieces of chocolate that melt into your mug. Try some small pieces and see what happens. Don't know what to try? Look into Hershey Kisses: there are many flavors available, so give those a go. Malted milk balls might be another cool one to try. Experiment with different chocolate as well such as white, milk or dark.

If you have the opportunity to, try to heat up some milk and use that to make your hot chocolate instead of water, especially when using the packets. Milk gives it a creamier taste. Some flavors, such as dark chocolate, taste a lot better with milk than water. If you don't have the time to heat milk or don't want to, try to get some powdered malted milk and mix a bit of that in there instead; some people love it.

While you can buy various flavors of hot chocolate, you can also use several additional ingredients to make additional flavors. For instance, try a tablespoon or two of caramel syrup and a bit of salt for a caramel flavor. Peanut butter and chocolate are a classic mixture: add a tablespoon of your favorite creamy peanut butter.

Do you have any instant coffee around? Use a teaspoon or two of the powder and see what you think. Maybe even try it one morning when you aren't up for regular coffee. Want a bit of a kick? A very small pinch of cinnamon and a dash of ground red pepper for a Mexican spin on the drink.

While you may enjoy plain hot chocolate, trying various toppings and mix-ins might help you find your new favorite drink! You won't know unless you try.

Re: Hot chocolate toppings and mix-ins you need to try
 

awesome! thanks