Chai-Spiced Hot Cocoa + The Warmest Spot in My Bellville Home

When I moved into my house in Bellville, I promised myself I’d be practical. The first piece I bought was a small marble-topped bistro table for the breakfast nook. It felt like a splurge—a cast-iron base with a smooth marble top, something straight out of a French patisserie (though I’ve never actually been to a French café). I justified it as an investment: strong, grounded, sturdy enough to hold the weight of all the life I hoped to live around it.

What I didn’t know then was just how much life would actually happen at this table.

In the short time I’ve lived here, this little corner of the kitchen has become the center of everything. No matter how I try to lure guests into the living room’s cozy chairs or the dining room’s proper seats, everyone gravitates here. The table is magnetic. It’s where tea is spilled (of course the gossip variety), where Will and I gather for lunch together on the weekend, where life slows down just enough for us to notice it.

On quiet mornings, I scootch Tron from the middle of the bench to make a little space for myself and sit here with the perfect slice of winter sunshine just barely warming my shoulders, sipping a coffee and letting the draft from the window remind me that even the imperfections of this house make it mine. It’s where I write grocery lists and scribble recipes on the backs of envelopes, and stack whatever odds and ends (usually keys and sunglasses) life brings in—a catchall for the chaos of living. But it’s also where I feel most at home.

It’s funny how the things we buy often carry more meaning than we anticipate. I wanted a table with a strong foundation, and now it’s become the foundation of this home. It’s the place where people gather and linger – where time stretches. Somehow, this marble-top table has become a sanctuary, a little haven for all these messy, mundane moments of life.

We’re settling into a cold and icy week here in Bellville, the kind of chill that calls for layers of warmth and something steaming in hand because these wooden walls do not have insulation. While Will tends to the fire in the living room, I’ll be in the kitchen whisking up two mugs of this rich Chai-Spiced Hot Cocoa. The chai spices bring a deep, soothing warmth that feels like it reaches all the way to your bones, perfectly wrapped in the familiar comfort of chocolate. I’m sure we can all use this kind of warmth so – let’s make!

Here are my five tips for making the best hot chocolate at home:

1. Preheat Your Mugs: Before pouring in your hot chocolate, fill your mugs with hot water and let them sit for a minute or two. Empty the water just before serving. This keeps your hot cocoa warmer for longer, so you can savor every sip. I use these bubbly double-walled coffee cups for special drinks like this cocoa and also small portions of soup. the double-walled insulation really does keep the insides warmer longer.
2. Double Up on Chocolate: Use a combination of cocoa powder for a deep, rich base and chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate) for a silky, decadent finish. The blend of the two creates a luscious texture and flavor you just can’t get with one alone. I tend to lean to the sweet side and reach for milk chocolate chips, but if you prefer dark chocolate, it’s just as wonderful.
3. Heat the Milk Gently: Warm your milk over medium-low heat and whisk constantly to avoid scorching. Slowly heating the milk ensures a smooth and creamy hot chocolate without any burnt undertones. Patience is key.
4. Add a Pinch of Salt: Just a small pinch of sea salt enhances the chocolate flavor, bringing out its richness and balancing the sweetness. Salt is always the secret ingredient.
5. Finish with a Flavor Boost: Stir in a heaping half teaspoon of chai spice while the milk heats and chocolate melts.  The blend of warm slices really deepens the chocolate flavor – it’s so cozy!  I use this blend of chai spice from Burlap & Barrel though I’ve also made my own blend using this recipe.

Here’s to the magic of small joys and the quiet spaces that shape our lives, friends! I know you have your own well-worn cozy nook just as I have mine.  I’m raising my cup of cocoa from my kitchen table here in Texas to you and yours. Gosh it’s cold.  xo

Chai-Spiced Hot Cocoa

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews

• Author: Joy the Baker
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: about 15 minutes
• Yield: 2 cups 1x
• Category: drinks, winter, chocolate
• Method: baking

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

---

Description

The ultimate cozy indulgence, blending creamy milk, rich chocolate, and warming chai spices into a mug of pure comfort. Perfect for chilly days, it’s a hug in a cup that’s as easy to make as it is to enjoy.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups 2% milk or any milk you prefer
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 ounces milk chocolate chips
• pinch of sea salt
• heaping 1/2 teaspoon chai spice, plus more to taste
• soft whipped cream or marshmallows for serving

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, sugar, cocoa powder, milk chocolate chips, chai spice, and sea salt.
2. Warm the mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the chocolate is melted and the hot chocolate is smooth and steamy.
3. Taste and adjust the chai spice or sweetness if needed.
4. Pour into preheated mugs and top with whipped cream, marshmallows, or a sprinkle of chai spice, if desired.

---