Saturday, October 6, 2012

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Homemade Hot Chocolate
Makes: 4 servings

I have to honestly say that I have never in my life thought about making my own hot chocolate, but when the weather began to dip this week I felt a craving for some hot chocolate, having none, I began researching recipes to see if I had the necessary ingredients on hand.

I was lucky, finding that I did indeed have everything I would need, and you probably do too. I only use regular 1/2&1/2 in my coffee each morning so I always have that on hand, it helps cool the hot chocolate and provides a rich creamy texture that is unlike any packet hot chocolate you have ever drank, but if you don't have any around just substitute with cold milk.


Ingredients:

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup cold half-and-half cream, or more to cool hot chocolate to drinking temp.













Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir.

 Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! 

Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.

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