‘Chocolatey Holiday Fix’—Just 3 ingredients. I keep these stocked because they disappear instantly.

Because this recipe is so streamlined, small changes can make a noticeable difference in flavor and texture. If you like deeper chocolate notes, choose a dark or premium hot cocoa mix; if you prefer a more nostalgic, sweet profile, stick with a classic milk chocolate mix. You can also swap half of the butter for neutral oil for a slightly softer, more tender bite that stays moist longer. For a marshmallow-inspired variation, press a mini marshmallow into the center of each brownie bite halfway through baking; it will melt and create a gooey pocket. If you enjoy texture, gently fold in 1/4 cup finely chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips—this technically adds ingredients, but it’s an easy way to customize a second batch. To balance sweetness, finish the cooled bites with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Finally, if your hot cocoa mix is very sweet, you can reduce the quantity slightly (to about 1 cup) and add 2–3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, which will intensify the chocolate flavor while keeping the recipe simple.