Spiced Hot Chocolate Made in a Blender: Quick Creamy Recipe

Disclosure: I was sponsored by Horizon Organic to develop the recipe for this warming, winter-perfect Blender Made Spiced Hot Chocolate, but all photography, recipes, and opinions remain my own.

With the Christmas tree up and snow drifting outside, hot chocolate season has begun in our home. We’ll be sipping this through sledding, snowball fights, and the long stretch of winter that seems to last forever. Fortunately, this Blender Made Spiced Hot Chocolate is easy to keep on hand and makes the cold days feel cozier.

I used to assume I didn’t like hot chocolate, because the powdered packets tasted thin and overly sweet when mixed with water. Once I started making it in the blender with real chocolate and whole milk, I changed my mind. This blender method is just as quick as the instant packets but far richer: good chocolate, whole milk, a splash of vanilla, and a gentle warming mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cayenne.

If that doesn’t warm your toes after time in the cold, I don’t know what will.

Cook’s Notes

• I make this recipe start to finish in a high-powered blender such as a Blendtec or Vitamix. Just add the ingredients, secure the lid, and use the soup or high setting until steam vents from the top.
• If you don’t have a powerful blender, blend until smooth in whatever blender you own, then transfer to a saucepan over medium-low heat until it steams. Without a blender, melt and whisk the ingredients together in a saucepan over low heat, increasing whisking as the milk begins to steam to add a little lift.
• Use this Spiced Hot Chocolate as a base for variations: omit the spices for a classic version, add frozen raspberries or raspberry preserves for a fruity twist, or experiment with different chocolates and extracts.
• Because the recipe relies mainly on milk and chocolate, choose high-quality versions of both. I prefer Horizon Organic milk; with so few ingredients, better basics make a notable difference.
• Pick chocolate you enjoy eating on its own — it’s the star flavor here.
• A pinch of kosher salt might seem odd, but it subtly elevates the chocolate flavor.
• Top with softly whipped cream if you like. I prefer it whipped just enough to melt gently into the drink rather than sit stiffly on top, but either style works.

Prep Tips {use these to make Blender Made Spiced Hot Chocolate more easily}

• A high-powered blender such as a Blendtec or Vitamix will give the creamiest, smoothest results.

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Love this Blender Made Spiced Hot Chocolate? You might enjoy these other hot drinks, too!

• Peppermint Mocha or Hot Chocolate
• Pumpkin Spice Chai Lattes
• Tummy Detox Tea
• Dirty, Dirty Chai Latte
• London Fog
• Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
• Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy
• Orange Clove Hot Toddy
• Hot Rum and Ginger Toddy

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon. The opinions and text are mine.