Hot Cocoa To Die For Food

PERFECT HOT COCOA

Steps:

• Bring 4 cups whole or low-fat milk to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Mix 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder and 3 to 4 ounces finely chopped bittersweet chocolate in a bowl, then whisk into the milk. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring, until the chocolate melts and the cocoa is thick, about 2 minutes. Divide among 4 mugs and garnish each with homemade marshmallows (see below) or whipped cream.

CLASSIC HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Combine the milk, heavy cream, sugar, cocoa powder and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until the sugar and cocoa powder dissolve and the milk is steaming; do not boil.
• Whisk in half of the chopped chocolate until melted, then whisk in the remaining chocolate until smooth. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla. Pour into mugs and top with marshmallows or whipped cream.

TO DIE FOR HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• 1. Stir together all ingredients in a a LARGE bowl (preferably one with a lid for freshness). I use a tupperware layer cake saver as my bowl and the bottom as my lid. It takes some time to really get all this incorporated well, but make sure you do!
• 2. For each individual serving put 1/3 cup mix in a large (minimum 8 oz, but more along a 10 oz) coffee cup, add mix before adding either water or milk, heat to desired temperature and stir until chips melt, add extra marshmallows on top or whipped cream. We prefer to use milk because it is richer and creamer.
• 3. This is great as a gift for friends or neighbors in decorative tins or glass jars for Christmas. Be sure to include on your gift tag how much is needed per serving. ENJOY! If you put this in an airtight container it will last approximately 1 yr.

HOT COCOA TO DIE FOR

Steps:

• In desired drinking mug, combine all ingredients and stir until smooth. Should have consistency slightly runnier than cake frosting.
• Add hot water...whisk until frothy. I know adding the peppers sounds weird...but you can't tell it's specifically in there. It just adds depth and a little "bite".
• Can top it off with mini marshies or whipped cream...but seriously, it doesn't need it.

HEALTHY HOT COCOA

Steps:

• Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Add cacao powder, stevia powder, and vanilla extract; stir until hot, 2 to 3 minutes.

HOT CHOCOLATE TO DIE FOR

Steps:

• These amounts are for 1 cup.
• Combine in double boiler the milk chocolate, butter, and vanilla.
• Stir till melted and smooth.
• Add the half-and-half. Add this very slowly and do not boil.
• Serve over a handful of mini marshmallows and garnish with a bit of nutmeg.
• Variations: substitute dark semisweet chocolate or white chocolate.
• Try adding some liqueurs--Kahlua to go with the milk chocolate; Cointreau (goes with the dark chocolate); or peppermint Schnapps with the white chocolate.

TO-DIE-FOR HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Heat milk on the stove at the lowest level until small bubbles appear.
• While the milk is heating, add approximately 1/8 cup of boiling water to the chocolate; stir so that the chocolate becomes thick like a fudge sauce.
• Once the milk is hot enough, add the chocolate to the milk and stir constantly for 5-10 minutes until it changes from a lighter brown to a dark brown colour.
• Remove from heat.
• To serve, place one spoonful of instant coffee in the cup.
• Add one shot of rum and stir to dissolve coffee granules.
• Add the hot chocolate and top with whipped cream (homemade vanilla cream is best!) and chocolate shavings.

SIMPLE HOT COCOA FOR ONE

Steps:

• Whisk together the cocoa, sugar, salt, and about 2 tablespoons milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until cocoa and sugar are dissolved. Whisk in the rest of the milk and heat it over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until it is hot. Stir in the vanilla and serve.
• If you like it frothy, blend it in the blender.
• This recipe multiplies easily. When you get up to a quart of milk, use 1/4 teaspoon salt.

EASY DIET HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

Steps:

• Blend ingredients.
• Store in an airtight container.
• Use 3 tablespoons per cup of hot water.
• Total recipe makes about 21 cups of cocoa.

CREAMY HOT COCOA

Steps:

• 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.