Posted by Nydia Streets of Streets Law in South Florida Family Events and Recipes

National Cocoa Day is December 13, and what better time to cozy up with a cup of hot chocolate than the holiday season? Check out our recipe picks!

Hawaiian Hot Chocolate (found on Allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:

• 3 cups half-and-half

• 1 cup 2% milk

• ½ cup white sugar

• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 1 tablespoon coconut extract

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• ½ cup whipped cream, or more to taste 

• ¼ cup toasted, shredded coconut

Preparation

• Whisk half-and-half, milk, sugar, and cocoa powder in a saucepan over medium-high heat until cocoa and sugar dissolve. Remove from heat when mixture begins to steam, 5 to 10 minutes.

• Whisk vanilla extract, coconut extract, and salt into cocoa mixture. Pour into glasses and top each with whipped cream and toasted coconut.

Snow Flake Cocoa (found on Allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 2 cups whipping cream

• 6 cups milk

1. 1 teaspoon vanilla

2. 1 (12 ounce) package white chocolate chips

• Garnish:

• Whipped cream

• Candy canes

Preparation

• Stir together the whipping cream, milk, vanilla, and white chocolate chips in a slow cooker.

• Cover and cook on low for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted. Stir again before serving. Garnish with whipped cream and candy canes, as desired.

Homemade White Hot Chocolate (found on Allrecipes.com)

Ingredients

• 6 ounces white chocolate chips

• 1 cup half-and-half

• 3 cups 1% milk

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

• Combine white chocolate chips and half-and-half in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until chocolate has completely melted, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in milk and vanilla extract until heated through, 3 to 4 minutes more. Pour into mugs and serve.

Enjoy your weekend!