It’s festive; it’s fun, and it screams it’s the holidays!!  Who doesn’t love hot cocoa on a cold Winter’s night?!  When the temperature drops and the first snowflakes fall, this is a great way to get into the spirit!  I take a classic mug of hot cocoa, use a store-bought mix (simple), and sprinkle a little Christmas magic on it.  This is a festive beverage for the whole family to enjoy.  Let the kids decorate their own mugs (and skip the Bailey’s, of course).  And mom and dad should take full advantage of adding the Baileys Irish Cream into theirs.  As wonderful as the holidays are, let’s face it, they’re stressful.  Why not indulge in a mug of chocolatey, creamy, sprinkled happiness?!  Chocolate, and Bailey’s, and sprinkles, oh my!!!  Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night!  

Recipe for Holiday Hot Cocoa

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Ghirardelli baking chips, classic white

• ¾ cup holiday sprinkles, the fancier, the better

• 1 cup prepared hot cocoa, milk, dark, or white chocolate work well

• Dairy whipped topping, extra creamy

• 2 ounces Bailey’s Irish Cream, optional for adults only 

Directions:

Pour the sprinkles into a small bowl.  Set aside.  Using a microwave-safe bowl just large enough to fit the circumference of your mug, melt the baking chips in the microwave accordingly to the instructions on the back of the bag.  Dip the mug in the chocolate so that it creates a nice rim.  Dip that into the sprinkles until it’s nicely coated.  Pour the hot cocoa into the mug.  Top with a swirl of whipped topping.  Finish with another dash of sprinkles.  If using Bailey Irish Cream, mix that into the hot cocoa before you add the whipped topping.  Enjoy the magic of Christmas in a mug!