Mmmmm, Hot Cocoa

On cold, rainy mornings like today, we always find ourselves craving a steaming cup of hot cocoa.  And by hot cocoa, we don’t mean the powdery packaged crap – we mean the REAL goods.  Follow our simple recipe below, and you will be pleasantly surprised to discover how

easy it is to make from scratch.  Sorry, Swiss Miss.





Ingredients:



4 cups milk (whichever type you prefer)


1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder


1/2 cup sugar


4 ounces semisweet (or bittersweet) chocolate, chopped


1 pinch salt


Miniature marshmallows


Whipped cream





Directions:

  Bring milk, cocoa powder and sugar to simmer in heavy large

 saucepan over medium-high heat, whisking frequently.

  Add chocolate; whisk until melted and smooth.

  Add salt; bring to simmer, whisking constantly until frothy.

  Ladle into 4 mugs.

  Sprinkle with marshmallows and/or top with whipped cream.

  If you want to get creative, some of our favorite variations 

include sprinkling with cinnamon (and/or nutmeg and ginger), adding an

old-school cinnamon stick or two, topping with mini chocolate chips,

 or drizzling with chocolate sauce (drool).





Prep Time: 1 minute



Total Time: 16 minute



Servings: 4





Notes:  If you want to make it thicker, add 1tbsp of cornstarch.  To make it taste richer, add 2 tsp of vanilla extract.  If you want to down it down and make it less rich (we can’t understand why, but okay), use skim milk, bittersweet chocolate instead of semi-sweet, and reduce the amount of sugar (to taste).