Recalling memories of snow days, holidays, or even special and slow mornings, hot cocoa is both nostalgic and current. We remember drinking it as kids, and we still want to drink it now. The creamy, chocolately, warmth of a cup of hot chocolate brings a delighted smile to everyone, young and old. While you can make hot chocolate from a powder mixed with water, there are other, more luscious ways to make hot cocoa that are easy and would please any epicurean.
Basic Hot Cocoa
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons powdered baking cocoa
Dash of salt
1/2 cup water
3 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Marshmallows or whipped cream
Method:
Whisk together sugar, cocoa, and salt in a medium to large saucepan. After the dry ingredients are well mixed, whisk in the water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once boiling, keep stirring and boiling for two minutes. After the two minutes are up, add cold milk, and heat to serving temperature. Do not let it boil again. Add vanilla and whisk fervently until hot cocoa is foamy. Ladle cocoa into mugs and top with marshmallows or whipped cream. Serve immediately. This recipe yields about six 6 oz servings.
Basic Vegan Hot Cocoa
Ingredients:
6 tablespoons of sugar
4 tablespoons powdered baking cocoa (such as dutch process)
Dash of salt
½ cup water
3 cups almond milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Marshmallows or coconut cream
Method:
Making this cocoa is about the same as the cocoa above.
Whisk together sugar, cocoa, and salt in a medium to large saucepan. After the dry ingredients are well mixed, whisk in the water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once boiling, keep stirring and boiling for two minutes. After the two minutes are up, add almond milk, and heat to serving temperature. Do not let it boil again. Add vanilla and whisk fervently for a bit. Ladle cocoa into mugs and top with marshmallows or coconut cream. Serve immediately. This recipe yields about six 6 oz servings.
Ways to Spice Up Hot Cocoa
Basic hot cocoa is delicious, but there are several ways to add a little flourish to liven it up a bit.
Add a dash of cinnamon after the cocoa is prepared for an earthy chocolatey treat.
Want a little more spice? Add a tiny dash of chili powder with the cocoa powder for a Mexican inspired twist. The chili powder helps to bring out more of the chocolate’s depth.
For an Aztec inspired cocoa add a dash of both cinnamon and chili powder to your mug.
Do you like minty chocolate? After the cocoa is prepared, stir in your marshmallows with a peppermint candy cane for a refreshingly zingy hot chocolate.
If you prefer an especially chocolatey hot cocoa, add around 4(+) oz of dark chocolate chunks with the milk. Bringing the cocoa back up to a warm serving temperature will melt the chocolate and create a richer flavor.