We-Need-to-Talk Spiced Hot Chocolate

Amber and Nicole had to talk. Like, really talk. There had always been a hint of competition between the next-door neighbors — who sold more Girl Scout cookies, who got to be Mary in the church Christmas pageant (and who had to be the donkey), whose science experiments didn't burn down the family garage. But this latest event was beyond. (We're not entirely sure what happened between them — something involving a debate tournament, a paper shredder, and a frozen bra — but we know it was ugly.) Amber, always the peacemaker of the two, left a voice mail for Nicole. "Come over — we've gotta talk." No response. She wrote on Nicole's wall: "No, really, we've gotta talk." Nada. Pennies thrown at Nicole's bedroom window, pithy texts, a note tucked under the collar of Nicole's family's dog — nothing. If Amber ever wanted to have a real talk with Nicole, she was going to have to pull out the big guns: hot chocolate. Spiced.

The spicy-cocoa scent wafted through Amber's kitchen, and she carefully carried the mug of steaming cocoa outside onto the porch. She stood there for a few minutes, sipping and hoping. And sure enough, who came creeping out of her house wearing her old PowerPuff Girls pj's? Nicole. "Um...I couldn't help but smell your hot chocolate...." Nicole mumbled, looking down at her puffy slippers. Amber had the power here. "Come inside and have some," she said. "After we talk."*

Ingredients
3 packets instant hot chocolate mix
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
1 large pinch chili powder
½ cup whole milk
1 ½ cups water

Directions
1) Put hot chocolate mix, ground cinnamon, and chili powder in a heat-safe bowl. Stir to combine.
2) Put milk and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
3) When liquid is boiling, pour into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir to combine and break up any clumps of spices.
4) Divide between two mugs — and drink up!

*Results may vary.