[Recipe] Hot Chocolate (with variations)

Hot chocolate is a winter staple, isn’t it? It just doesn’t seem right to go out skating or to a hockey game without a hot cup of chocolate.

I’m not much of a fan of pre-packaged hot chocolate. I just don’t find they have enough flavour. So I set out to make my own hot chocolate, and this is the one I’ve settled on.

If you have a frother, use it now.

[Recipe] Hot Cocoa

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 1/2 cups milk (I used 2%)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup cream

Combine the cocoa, sugar and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.

Blend in the boiling water.

Bring this mixture to an easy boil while stirring continuously. Simmer the mixture for about 90 seconds, being sure that it doesn’t scorch.

Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot. Do NOT let this mixture boil once the milk has been added.

Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs.

Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.

Top with whipped cream or marshmallows, if desired. Sadly, I had none of either for my pictures. 🙁

Some hot chocolate variations you may want to try:

Chocolate Orange: Add 1/2 tsp orange extract to your mug of cocoa. For an adult version, try adding grand marnier. A liberal amount, of course.

Mexican Hot Chocolate: Add 1/2 tsp cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne to each mug.

Chocolate Mint: Add 1/2 tsp peppermint extract or a candy cane to your mug of cocoa. For an adult version, try adding peppermint schnapps.

Peanut Butter Cup: Add 1-2 tsp of peanut butter to your mug of cocoa. Mix well.

Macaroon: Add 1/2 tsp coconut extract to your mug. For an adult version, try adding some coconut rum.

Let’s be honest, there are so many adult versions, you can’t list them all: Irish cream, frangelico, kirsch, butterscotch schnapps, chambord, goldschlager, kahlua…

What are your favourite hot chocolate flavour combinations?