AN EVENING BY THE FIRE... S'MORES, HOT CHOCOLATE AND DREAMY OUTDOOR FIREPLACES!

The coldest part of winter is here and I thought it would be a good time to do a round up of some of my favorite outdoor fireplaces along with recipes for hot chocolate and everyone's favorite...S'mores.  Grab some warm blankets, relax and watch the flames dance.

Invite some friends and have a S'mores Bar if you want to turn a quite afternoon into a great party!  All you need are great chocolate bars, such as these from Lake Champlain or Reeces Cups, marshmallows, and Graham Crackers.

Nutella and peanut butter make S'mores even more decadent!

You can even make S'mores Hot Chocolate

Crazy Blonde S'Mores Hot Chocolate

3 cups whole milk

1/4 cup cocoa

2 tablespoons chocolate syrup

4 tablespoons sugar

crushed graham crackers for ling cup rim

mini marshmallows

Heat milk over medium heat until warm, about 5 minutes.  Add cocoa powder, chocolate syrup, and sugar and whisk until thoroughly combined.

Moisten mug rims with a small amount of chocolate syrup and dip rims in crushed graham crackers.  Pour in hot chocolate and top with mini marshmallows.  Toast marshmallows with a hand held kitchen propane torch or set mugs on a baking sheet in the oven on the top rack and broil until the marshmallows are browned.  Watch carefully!  Top with a drizzle of chocolate syrup.  Serve with a small towel if the broiler was used to brown.

Or keep it simple with cinnamon sticks and whipped cream!

Enjoy the tour of fabulous outdoor fireplaces!

The glow of the votive candles here is mesmerizing!  Such a simple but effective way to create ambiance.

Love the contemporary look of this fireplace!

Here are a few more items to help create a perfect evening!

Mugs from Anthropologie

Impossibly soft cashmere blankets from Restoration Hardware!

Did you know that you can buy marshmallow forks for roasting marshmallows?

This kitchen torch from Williams Sonoma is great for toasting marshmallows or browning creme brulee!

Get inspired and turn an ordinary evening into something extraordinary!  Let me know what you think! Leave your comments in the box below and don't forget to sign up to get Crazy Blonde Life in your inbox!

Images from Pinterest