As we get deeper into fall and the weather gets colder, a cup of sweet and spiced hot chocolate is a great way to warm up. Young chefs can prepare the dry mix ahead of time, store it in an airtight container, and use it to make single servings of Spiced Hot Chocolate in the microwave. This hot chocolate recipe is inspired by Mexican hot chocolate, and includes a bit of spice thanks to cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Mexico celebrates Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on November 1st and 2nd–right after Halloween.
The holiday originated thousands of years ago with the Aztec, Toltec, and Nahua people. Mourning the dead was considered disrespectful, and death was seen as a new phase in life and during Día de los Muertos, the souls of the dead briefly returned to Earth. Today, it’s a celebration meant to honor and show love and respect for deceased family members. Have your young chefs mix up a batch of hot chocolate, and then talk about the holiday while enjoying the beverage. Kids can learn a little more about Día de los Muertos by watching this video from PBS Learning Media, or reading this story from National Geographic Kids. [GET THE RECIPE]