M&M’s Newest Flavor Is the Perfect Holiday Treat

M&M’s has had quite the year. Between their nationwide vote for the new crunchy M&M’s flavor and launching crazy new varieties (orange vanilla cream, hazelnut spread and yes, even jalapeño), M&M’s doesn’t shy away from creativity. And with the holiday season finally upon us, they are yet again releasing a fun, new flavor for customers to relish in: Hot Cocoa!

That’s right, if you think there’s not enough hot chocolate to go around, then you may as well buy a hot chocolate candy to go with it! M&M’s newest flavor is officially on shelves and it’s full of winter happiness.

What’s on the inside?

We all know that the trick to a delicious hot chocolate is the marshmallow pairing, so M&M’s made that a priority in the candy’s center. M&M’s Hot Cocoa flavor has a milk chocolate and white chocolate marshmallow-flavored center. Looking at the package, the chocolates are streaked through, looking like a steaming mug of hot chocolate and melted marshmallows right in your candy. The outer shell comes in a brown and white candy coating, to symbolize the two prominent flavors.

The flavor is super similar to the new Hot Cocoa Hershey’s Kisses. However, the Kisses are filled with a marshmallow flavored crème instead of a hard chocolate center, so it’s a whole different type of hot chocolate experience. Either way, both candies sound like the perfect pairing to a steamy cup of hot cocoa this holiday season.

Where you can buy them

There’s only one place to grab this delicious new flavor—Target! Target released their 2018 holiday preview, and the Hot Cocoa M&M’s are a part of it. You can also find the Ghirardelli Toffee & Cookie Crunch, Lindt Snickerdoodle, Reese’s Santa’s Helpers and Dove Hot Cocoa there this year. We’ll have a case of each.

20 Ultra-Decadent Hot Chocolate Recipes for the Holidays

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Rich Hot Chocolate

Each winter in early February my friends and I gather for an outdoor show called Mittenfest. We skip the bloody mary's and fill our thermoses with these hot cocoas instead.

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Dulce de Leche Hot Chocolate Pods

Who doesn't love a steamy mug of hot chocolate on a snowy day? Now you can give friends, neighbors, co-workers or anyone who deserves a treat the pleasure of this indulgent drink with these giftable hot chocolate pods. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Nutella Hot Chocolate

Vanilla beans and Frangelico liquor lend to the sophisticated flavor of this hot chocolate. With such rich taste, it could be served as a dessert.—Michael Compean, West Los Angeles, California

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Pumpkin-Spiced Hot Chocolate

As soon as there is a hint of fall in the air, I think of pumpkins and my mother. She served pumpkin pie with real hot chocolate. This recipe brings those two amazing scents, and her, back to life for me. To turn your hot chocolate into creamy pumpkin mocha, stir 2 teaspoons of instant coffee into the hot chocolate before adding whipped cream. It's a great way to warm up after some chilly trick-or-treating! —J. Morand, Maitland, ON

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Crackling Hot Cocoa

This hot chocolate recipe is more than a warm-you-up—it's rich and thick decadence in a mug. —Cyndi Nistico, Palm Island, Florida

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Spiked Hot Chocolate

My husband and I like to enjoy this grown-up version of hot chocolate on a cold winter evening. It's even better made with honey-flavored bourbon if you can find that in your local store. —Andrea Harvath, Duncannon, Pennsylvania

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Cozy Hot Chocolate

Steaming mugs of these smooth beverages are a nice anytime treat with my husband, Ken.—Marie Hattrup, Sonoma, California

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Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

Change up ordinary hot cocoa by stirring some dark baking cocoa into vanilla almond milk. Top it off with berry marshmallow creme or a plain large marshmallow, if you like, and add your favorite pretty sprinkles. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, PA

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Fluffy Hot Chocolate

This is our daughter's favorite hot chocolate recipe. It may look like ordinary cocoa, but a touch of vanilla sets it apart from the rest. And the melted marshmallows give it a frothy body you won't get from a cocoa packet. —Jo Ann Schimcek, Weimar, Texas

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Holiday Peppermint Mocha

Make spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California

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Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Mix

We make batches of this minty, malted milk-flavored hot chocolate to give as gifts. Be prepared—friends will return the jars for refills! —Sara Tatham, Plymouth, New Hampshire

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Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

My soothing white hot chocolate is a great warm-up after a wintry day spent sledding or ice skating. Or include it as a festive addition to brunch or an afternoon tea party. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

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Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

My mom makes this hot chocolate with pumpkin, spices and white chocolate. We usually drink it on Halloween, but it’s delish at Christmas too. —Sasha King, Westlake Village, California

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Kahlua Hot Chocolate

When we want a cup of hot chocolate, we prefer homemade over store mixes. A splash of Kahlúa adds a touch of fabulous. —Chung-Ah Rhee, Hollywood, California

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Favorite Hot Chocolate

You need just a few basic ingredients to stir up this spirit-warming sipper. It's smooth and not too sweet, making it just right for cozy winter days. —Flo Snodderly, North Vernon, IN

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Gingerbread Hot Cocoa

Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? If not, this special cocoa will do the trick. It’s like drinking a chocolate gingerbread cookie! —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, AZ

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Landmark Hot Chocolate

With or without a nip of rum, my hot chocolate recipe has been a Wisconsin winter warmer for years. When the toboggan hills are calling, I skip the whipped cream and take a thermos to go. It’s always a hit and it ensures nobody is left out in the cold! —Mark Phillips, Bayfield, Wisconsin

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Vanilla Almond Hot Cocoa

Treat your family to this comforting, homemade cocoa as you decorate the tree or open holiday gifts. Vanilla and almond extracts make it taste even more special. —Vicki Holloway, Joelton, Tennessee

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Mexican Hot Chocolate

This delicious, not-too-sweet hot chocolate is richly flavored with cocoa and delicately seasoned with spices. The whole-stick cinnamon stirrers come in handy, as the old-fashioned chocolate mixture settles if not stirred before drinking. The blend of cinnamon and chocolate flavors is wonderful! —Kathy Young, Weatherford, Texas

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Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

I gave this away at our neighborhood Christmas party in cutie-patootie gift bags and was thrilled that I was able to give something to everyone. But the next week I started getting calls from the neighbors who'd made it and was blown away at the response. Everyone loves this! The white chocolate is what makes it extra creamy and chocolaty!—Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

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