Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe with Toss-Ins

During the winter season I like to drink hot chocolate morning, noon and night. I don’t know why I crave it during the cold season, but I do. It’s a great way to warm up after being outside in the cold and a great way to relax & unwind after a long day. I find it soothing to the soul.

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To keep things interesting I’m always tossing things inside my hot cocoa to add additional flavor. I’ll toss in 2-3 Hershey’s Kisses, 1-2 peppermint hard candies, 1-2 butterscotch hard candies, a 1 1/2″ piece of homemade fudge, giant marshmallows, marshmallow creme, 1-2 miniature peanut butter cups, chocolate shavings, etc. You can use all kinds of different things to add flavor to your classic hot chocolate.

I’m a big fan of making my own hot cocoa at home and rarely buy the stuff you find at the store. I just find that a lot of those package mixes contain preservatives and other things that I don’t need. Making it at home and from scratch is a really easy process. Here’s the recipe that I like to use.

Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe

2 cups milk
2 tsp. cocoa powder
1-2 tsp. granulated sugar
1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Combine all four ingredients in a saucepan. Start the temperature on low and increase it to medium after a minute. You need to stir often to keep the milk from scorching. Simmer over medium heat 3-4 minutes or until hot. Don’t boil. Remove from heat.

Pour your hot cocoa into a large mug. You can drink it the classic way all on its own or add-in some of your favorite toss-ins.

If you’re a fan of “iced coffees” you should try an “iced hot cocoa”. Let your beverage cool for 15 minutes. Toss in some ice cubes. Stir. Enjoy cold.

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