Hot cocoa add-ins-Birdy

[wilderness]

Hot cocoa add-ins-Birdy

you never would have thought to try

By Rachel Taylor
Southern Kitchen

Nothing is more delicious than a warm mug full of hot cocoa. We found some delicious ways to update the winter drink beyond marshmallows.

• Peppermint: Good Housekeeping suggests “spread marshmallow fluff on the rim of a mug and then dip the mug in crushed candy canes. Pour instant hot chocolate mix into the prepared mug, add water as directed and stir in ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract.”

• Black Bottom: Add a layer of chocolate fudge before pouring the warm chocolate drink. You can either let the layer of fudge melt as you sip or mix it in for a thicker cocoa.

• Red Velvet: Whip up some cream cheese, heavy cream and sugar to create a decadent topping.
• Nutella: Simply melt in warm milk to get a nuttier version of the sweet winter treat.

• Raspberry: Good Housekeeping recommends using raspberry jam to mix in the hot cocoa and then fresh raspberries to make a pretty garnish.

• Coconut Tres Leches: Combine coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk and regular milk to form a base for the hot cocoa. Before serving, garnish with chocolate shavings.

• Bourbon Pecan: According to Good Housekeeping, the way to make the perfect bourbon pecan hot cocoa is as follows: “Soak pecan halves in bourbon for 15 minutes. Drain, reserving bourbon and pecans separately. Spike 1 mug of prepared instant hot chocolate with the bourbon, then thread pecan halves on a skewer and use as garnish.”