Delightful homemade hot chocolate recipes abound for frigid winter days

½ cup white chocolate chips

2 cups whole milk

½ cup heavy cream

½ to 1 teaspoon real vanilla

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat the heavy cream and white chocolate chips. Stir until the white chocolate chips are melted. Stir in milk and vanilla extract. Peppermint flakes can be added for variety.

— Cook’n blog

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PUMPKIN SPICE HOT CHOCOLATE

Serves: 6

1½ cups dark chocolate hot cocoa water or milk

6 cups milk

6 tablespoons canned pumpkins

6 tablespoons sugar

6 tablespoons vanilla extract

1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice whipped cream (optional)

Make 1½ cups dark chocolate hot cocoa as directed on package with water or milk and set aside. In a saucepan, combine milk, pumpkin, and sugar; cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spice, transfer to a blender, and process for 15 seconds until foamy. Pour into mugs and pour some of the dark chocolate hot cocoa into each mug. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice.

— Cook'n blog