Hot Chocolate for Two

Here is a recipe entirely borrowed from the side of the Hershey’s Cocoa container. Never underestimate the recipes given on the side of the package…they’re probably there because they have enough credibility to be printed on there, haha!

So they also have their nutrition info provided (per serving) although I’m not sure what type of milk they used:

Calories: 180, Total Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2.5g, Cholesterol: 15 mg, Sodium: 100mg,

Total Carbohydrate: 32g, Dietary Fiber: 2g, Sugars: 29g, Protein: 7g, Vitamin A: 8%,

Vitamin C: 0%, Calcium: 25%, Iron: 0%

Definitely not the healthiest, but sometimes on those colder days it’s the best way to wind down and okay to Treat Yo Self.  ;)

It’s going to take you just a few minutes to throw this hot cocoa together: slightly longer than “pouched” HC, but worth the few extra steps. I suggest even getting a few small zip-lock bags to prep your own “pouches” of the dry ingredients for later use!

What you’ll need:

-1/4 cup sugar (I use white, but I’m sure it would be fun to try brown)

-2 tablespoons Hershey’s Cocoa (natural, unsweetened) – you can also use Dark if that’s your style! You may want to add another tablespoon if this doesn’t taste rich enough for you

-Dash of salt (pretty much, just do two or three quick shakes of your salt shaker. That’s a dash)

-1/4 cup hot water (I just turn my faucet on hot and wait for it to be its warmest)

-2 cups milk (any kind, I use 1%)

-1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1.      1. Mix sugar, cocoa, and salt in a saucepan, stir in water.

2.      2. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils; boil and stir for 2 minutes.

3.      3. Stir in milk and heat; DO NOT BOIL.

4.      4. Remove from heat, add vanilla and stir.

5.      5. Serve with whatever toppings or flavors you desire!

And that’s it. J 

Some topping suggestions to spice up your cocoa:

-sprinkle of cinnamon and/or nutmeg

-cinnamon stick

-wafer sticks

-whipped cream

-stick a candy cane in there for the peppermint flavor

-chocolate shavings

-caramel syrup

-mini marshmallows

-get creative! – what toppings do you like to add to your cocoa?

This is what our final product looked like, with my choice of additional goodness: