Guys, I’m going hard core simple today and I have a hot cocoa confession to make… I prefer the powdered hot cocoa mix over any homemade recipe.
I’ve tried many homemade variations and they are either not as tasty as the store bought stuff or they were too much of a hassle to make. I’ve made probably 6 or 7 different kinds, and fed them to my husband, and gotten the universal response of “just use the big can of powdered stuff.”
I had almost given up on my search of a good homemade hot cocoa recipe when I stumbled onto this recipe. I’m so glad that I gave it a try (after nearly giving up all hope of being able to make a decent hot cocoa by hand) because it’s awesome! It pretty much tastes exactly like my favorite store bought variety.
I don’t know about you, but when I want a cup of hot chocolaty goodness I pretty much want it instantly. Plus, I’m usually in a full on lazy mood and not willing to spend time agonizing over the stove. This one is super duper simple to make. It’s not going to be as fast as the powder, but you’ll be able to say you made it yourself.
I’ve learned a few things in my quest for a good hot cocoa recipe… I prefer using cocoa powder instead of a chocolate bar because I think the end result tastes better. It gives you more control over the amount of sugar you use since most powders don’t have any sugar.
Hot cocoa is definitely the way to warm my heart on these cold winter days (and holy cow was it cold here today).
All of these marshmallows may or may not have ended up in my hot cocoa. I’m from the camp that believes that cocoa is only being done properly if it’s more like a cup of marshmallows with a splash of hot cocoa. 😉 I’ve even been known to bring the bag of marshmallows to the couch to replenish the stash in my cup as they melt in or I eat them off the top with a spoon!
How do you take your hot cocoa?
Simple Hot Cocoa For One Recipe
(1 serving)
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 and 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup milk (I used skim milk), divided per the directions
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
- In a saucepan over Low heat, whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons of milk until the cocoa and sugar are dissolved.
- Add the rest of the milk and heat it over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until it is hot.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and serve.
Slightly adapted from: Epicurious
Here are some other of my favorite chocolate treats.
Deconstructed Chocolate Mousse Pie With Eggnog Whipped Cream
Yum! love the addition of vanilla extract… it’s been freezing here, too! 🙂
Stay warm!
This looks like a great hot cocoa recipe. I can’t wait to try this new technique 🙂
Awesome! I hope you love it as much as I do.
So sweet with the heart marshmallows. I find it hard to find the good ole powder hot cocoa here in HK so this recipe is perfect for me. There is nothing like a cup of hot cocoa to bring the planets back into sync.
LOVE being all cuddly with blankets and hot cocoa! My husband and I have some of the best talks that way. 🙂
Delicious! 🙂 One of the weddings I event managed last year gave mason jars filled with a homemade chocolate powder as favours, like you, I preferred the powdered choccy mix, that is until I tasted this. Its wonderful, so wonderful I got the ingredients and will be blogging about it soon. Your tasty recipe may have some stiff competition. LOL! 🙂 Hope you are enjoying your weekend lovely.
What a great idea! I can’t wait to see what you post. 🙂
I can’t think of anything better, than a cup of cocoa! There’s just something so warm and comforting about it!
I totally agree!
Now you have me wanting to go run to the kitchen to make hot cooca! Love that photo with the marshmallow heart!
Hehe. Thanks Ashley. 🙂
Love hot cocoa, and you pics making me crave for some right now! love the photo with marshmallow heart! good one, @Tina
Thank you so much! 🙂
I’m going to have to give this a try! Good hot chocolate is hard to find. And I LOVE those pictures with the marshmallows in a heart! Perfect for Valentine’s Day 🙂