Life
9 Hot Chocolate Toppings That Go Way Beyond Whipped Cream and Marshmallows
When I dream of parties, they usually involve hot chocolate. I imagine the most adorable set of mugs, cocoa by the keg, and decorative gourds for days. Taylor Swift may or may not be the guest of honor. But most importantly, in this dream hot chocolate party of mine, there are all manner of toppings — and not just your average, ho-hum marshmallows, either. I’m talking about the most mind-blowing concoctions that take your cocoa from Swiss Miss to master chocolatier, because there’s only one thing I know for sure: Hot chocolate deserves nothing but the best.
So for dessert’s sake, ditch the Cool Whip. This fall, we’re going all out and crowning our cocoa with everything under the sun, from truffles to salted caramel. Maybe that party won’t even pan out. Maybe you’ll be parked on the couch instead, watching Netflix, with no pants on. But at least you’ll be drinking hot chocolate — and it will be the best hot chocolate you’ve ever had.
Image: A Pastry Affair
Coconut Whipped Cream
Whipped cream is nothing new — except when you make it with coconut milk. How Sweet Eats breaks it down.
Image: How Sweet Eats
Marshmallow Fluff
Marshmallows, we love you — but when it comes to hot chocolate, fluff is where it’s at. Honestly Yum takes theirs to the next level with the help of a handy kitchen torch.
Image: Honestly Yum
Peppermint
Crush it, use it as a stirrer, or turn it into simple syrup. I don’t care what you do with your peppermint, as long as it’s where it belongs: In your hot chocolate. Thanks, Pastry Affair!
Image: A Pastry Affair
Caramel
Hot chocolate. Creamy salted caramel. How could this possibly go wrong? A Pastry Affair shows us how to DIY your own caramel sauce.
Image: A Pastry Affair
Caramelized White Chocolate
Who says cocoa’s for dark chocolate only? Will Cook for Friends shows us how to turn white chocolate into a gorgeous, smoky sauce for drizzling over whipped cream…or for eating out of the jar, with a spoon.
Image: Will Cook for Friends
Churros
Okay, okay. Churros aren’t exactly a topping — but they’re dunkable and play nicely with even the most decadent of hot chocolates. Half Baked Harvest spikes her churro dough with beer because duh.
Image: Half Baked Harvest
Coffee Ice Cream
Yes, I’m asking you to put ice cream into your hot chocolate — but you won’t mind when it’s a scoop of Savory Simple’s. Think of it as a seriously mixed-up, topsy-turvy affogato. Brilliant, I know.
Image: Savory Simple
Truffles
Where are my chocoholics? This one’s for you. Drop a truffle into your mug, pour cocoa over it, and savor all that mind-blowing, chocolaty goodness. Half Baked Harvest has just the recipe for the occasion.
Image: Half Baked Harvest
Whiskey
When all else fails, throw in some booze. Family Fresh Cooking adds about two ounces of Jameson to her coffee — but we think it’d be just as good stirred into some devilish hot chocolate.
Image: Family Fresh Cooking
