We all know that hot chocolate is one of the few saving graces of winter. Along with fireplaces, sweaters and long-simmering stews, a piping hot mug of cocoa is one of the things that gets us through the coldest, darkest months of the year. December 12 is National Hot Cocoa Day, and in light of that fact, we want to kick your hot cocoa up a few notches.
We all have a basic hot chocolate recipe that we love. That is a perfect foundation to build upon. What makes good hot chocolate great? Upgrades, dudes. Below, you'll find a few of our favorites.
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1
Homemade Marshmallows

Brown Eyed Baker
2
Toasted Marshmallow Cream

How Sweet It Is
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4
Booze

Pass The Sushi
Whiskey, peppermint schnapps, Cointreau -- your imagination is your only limit... as long as you're an adult.
Get the Rich n’ Thick Adult Hot Chocolate recipe from Pass The Sushi
Get the Rich n’ Thick Adult Hot Chocolate recipe from Pass The Sushi
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6
Mini Gingerbread Houses

Megan Reardon
You can go ahead and pretend you've ever seen anything as cute as this, but we're pretty sure you haven't.
Get the Mini Gingerbread Houses recipe from Not Martha
Get the Mini Gingerbread Houses recipe from Not Martha
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7
Nutella

Gimme Some Oven
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9
Coconut

How Sweet It Is
This recipe features both coconut milk in the hot chocolate itself and a toasted coconut rim on the mug. COCONUT MANIA.
Get the Crockpot Coconut Hot Chocolate recipe from How Sweet It Is
Get the Crockpot Coconut Hot Chocolate recipe from How Sweet It Is
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12
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13
Salted Caramel

A Beautiful Mess
Salted caramel is already in everything else. Might as well add it to your hot chocolate!
Get the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate recipe from A Beautiful Mess
Get the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate recipe from A Beautiful Mess
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Giving It Away As A Gift

Cook The Story
They say it's better to give than receive, so once you've perfected your hot chocolate recipe, jar it up and send it on its way!
Get the Mexican Hot Chocolate Powder Mix recipe from Cook The Story
Get the Mexican Hot Chocolate Powder Mix recipe from Cook The Story
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If we missed your favorite way to spike, dip, dunk or otherwise adorn your hot chocolate, let us know what it is in the comments!
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Before You Go
Vanilla Hot Chocolate

This Week For Dinner
Get the Vanilla Hot Chocolate recipe from This Week For Dinner
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Triple Hot Chocolate

Souvlaki For The Soul
Get the Triple Hot Chocolate recipe from Souvlaki For The Soul
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Vegan Coconut Almond Hot Chocolate With Vegan Whipped Cream

Apron Strings
Get the Vegan Coconut Almond Hot Chocolate with Vegan Whipped Cream recipe from Apron Strings
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Nutella Hot Chocolate

The Hungry Housewife
Get the Nutella Hot Chocolate recipe from The Hungry Housewife
Baked Hot Chocolate

Kate Morgan Jackson
Get the Baked Hot Chocolate recipe from Framed CooksOkay, okay. It's more of a brownie than hot chocolate... but we couldn't resist.