Hot Chocolate Happiness

Warm up with friends, family and hot cocoa drinks that are made even sweeter with a full spread of creative treats.

Recipes and Styling by Sarah Godwin  |  Photographed by Joe Worthem

Whether you’re entertaining neighborhood kids on a cold winter day or hosting a brunch for adults, a hot chocolate bar makes everyone feel welcome, cozy and a bit festive. Here’s how to create a fun spread for people of all ages, complete with a simple homemade hot chocolate recipe.

Sarah’s Super Simple Hot Chocolate

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½ cup granulated sugar

8 cups milk, divided

In a medium saucepan, add cocoa and sugar, and whisk to combine. Add 1-2 cups of milk, and whisk until there are no lumps, creating a thick chocolate syrup. Place over medium heat, add remaining milk, and cook whisking constantly until combined. Bring to a light simmer, whisking occasionally. Remove from heat, and serve immediately.

Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Cookies

1 cup butter, at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

Milk, if needed

Icing

1 cup powdered sugar

½ teaspoon almond extract

1-2 tablespoons water

Sprinkles

Prepare the cookies: Combine butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer, and beat with the paddle attachment on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Add egg and vanilla and almond extracts. Beat at medium speed until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture, beating until just combined after each addition and scraping the bowl as needed. If dough seems dry, beat in milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until mixture becomes a thick dough.

Divide dough in half, and wrap each half with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 1 hour to prevent dough from spreading when baked.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness on a floured surface. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake until cookie edges are just beginning to brown, about 8-12 minutes (do not overbake).

Remove cookies from oven, and let cool on baking sheet 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

Prepare the icing: Whisk together powdered sugar, almond extract and 1 tablespoon water until smooth, adding in additional 1 tablespoon water as needed to thin icing to desired consistency. Spread icing on cookies, top with sprinkles, and allow icing to harden before serving.

Credit: Thanks to Ashley Freeman, owner of Velvet Ditch Villas (@velvet_ditch_villas) for providing the location for this photo shoot.

The Hot Chocolate Bar: Tips and Twists

• Hot chocolate is a delicious base, but you could also use freshly brewed coffee or an espresso machine to make lattes instead. Or, consider adding an espresso shot to your hot chocolate.

• Make the hot chocolate right before you plan to serve it. Transfer to a carafe or a coffee dispenser, or serve it with a ladle from the pot on the stove.

• The spread of toppings and mix-ins offered is important and makes any event fun, festive and personalized. Use Mason jars or decorative bowls to serve chocolate chips (milk, white or dark), toffee bits, marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, hot fudge, caramel syrup and more.

• Depending on your guest list, offer the option to spike the hot chocolate with Irish cream, vodka, bourbon or whatever liquor you prefer.

• A variety of coffee syrups is a great addition, too, making it easy for guests to stir in their favorite flavors.

• Chocolate-dipped spoons are a fun feature, and they’re easy to make! Simply dip a spoon in melted chocolate and sprinkle with your favorite toppings. Use the spoons to stir hot chocolate for an even more decadent drink.

• Complete your hot chocolate bar with sweet snacks like seasonal, homemade Cut-Out Sugar Cookies (see recipe).