We had our first snow on Sunday so we had to warm up with some hot chocolate! This hot chocolate tastes amazing and allows you to use higher quality ingredients than the cocoa packets. You also avoid unpronounceable ingredients and corn syrup (which is in stinking everything!). I usually just make this when we have a “let’s go play in it” amount of snow because I tend to practice self-control by drinking 3 mugs of it!

Rich and Creamy Hot Chocolate

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1/3 cup unsweetened hot cocoa (Costco has an organic, fair trade one that tastes great and is a great price)
3/4 cup white sugar (I prefer organic cane sugar)
1/8 tsp salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup half and half cream
3/4 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Whisk in the boiling water. Simmer this mixture over low heat for about 2 minutes stirring constantly and being careful not to scorch it. Stir in milk and cream and heat until hot but not boiling. Remove from heat and add vanilla. It’s fun to top with whipped cream or marshmallows!