Did you know that National Hot Chocolate Day falls in January?

If you're a chocolate lover like me, you probably have it circled on your calendar already. Even if you're not, I bet someone in your household is hopelessly devoted to the sweet stuff.

Below, you'll find a basic hot chocolate recipe — plus variations to try. It doesn't have to be National Hot Chocolate Day (or even winter) to enjoy a mug, but a cold Klamath afternoon is hard to beat.

The Hot Chocolate Mix Base

Make this once, store it in a jar, scoop into a mug whenever the craving hits.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch process)
  • 2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 7 oz dark chocolate bar, roughly chopped

Method

Whisk powdered sugar, cocoa powder, dry milk powder, and salt in a large bowl until evenly combined. Stir in the chopped dark chocolate.

Store in an airtight jar at room temperature for up to 2 months.

To make one mug: add ¼–⅓ cup of the mix to a mug, pour in 1 cup of hot milk (or hot water), and stir until the chocolate melts and everything blends. Adjust ratio to taste.

Variation 1 — Cake Batter Hot Chocolate

Per serving:

  • 2–3 Tbsp yellow cake mix added to the base before stirring in hot milk

The dry cake mix dissolves into the hot chocolate and gives it that birthday-cake sweetness and texture. A favorite with kids.

Variation 2 — Mexican Hot Chocolate

Per serving:

  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Add the cinnamon, chili powder, and vanilla to the mug along with the base mix. The chili powder is subtle — it adds warmth, not heat — but it changes the entire flavor profile.

Variation 3 — Orange Hot Chocolate

Per serving:

  • 1 Tbsp Grand Marnier (or substitute orange extract for non-alcoholic version)
  • Pinch of orange zest

Add to the mug. Orange and chocolate is one of those pairings that always works. The Grand Marnier (or orange extract) lifts the chocolate without overpowering it.

Variation 4 — Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Per serving:

  • ¼ tsp peppermint extract
  • Whipped cream
  • Crushed candy cane on top

Classic. The peppermint cuts through the richness and makes it feel festive without being cloying.

Toppings to Have on Hand

  • Whipped cream — fresh, ideally
  • Mini marshmallows — the classic
  • Cinnamon sticks — for stirring and aroma
  • Chocolate shavings — for finishing
  • Crushed candy canes — for peppermint version
  • A drizzle of caramel — for indulgence
  • Sea salt — a tiny pinch on top of whipped cream is unexpectedly good

Why It Matters

Hot chocolate isn't just a beverage. It's a small ritual — the kind of warm-mug-in-hand moment that gets us through long Klamath winters and turns ordinary afternoons into something a little more special.

Make a big batch of the base mix, keep it in the cabinet, and have the variations ready to go. The next time it's snowing, the next time the kids come in cold from outside, the next time you just want something warm to hold while you read a book on the couch — you'll be glad it's there.

Happy National Hot Chocolate Day. And happy any-other-day-you-feel-like-a-mug.