Few things are as good on a cold winter's day, than a big mug of hot cocoa. The smell alone is enough to take me back to my childhood and the cocoa my Mom use to make. Drinking it at the kitchen table, looking out the window at a glittering snow covered landscape. It was magical.
Mom never used hot chocolate mix, she made it from scratch, by the cup. In each mug, she would put powdered milk, cocoa and of sugar. Then she would boil water on the stove and pour one cup each in our mugs with the homemade mix. Then all you had to do was stir. Delicious!
The recipe is simple and easy to make....
- 1/2 cup powdered milk
- 1 teaspoon cocoa
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup boiling water
Making your own hot cocoa from scratch is so much better than buying mixes. Store bought mixes have all kinds of preservatives and additives that you really don't need to put in your body. Making your own cocoa lets you control what you put in your body. Another great thing is that you can adjust it to the flavor you like. More or less sugar, more or less cocoa, however you prefer it.
If you want to be adventurous, you can flavor your hot chocolate. Just add the following to the original recipe. Remember, one addition per cup.
Cinnamon hot chocolate - add 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon
Peppermint hot chocolate - add 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint extract and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla
Coffee flavored hot chocolate - add 1 or 2 teaspoons of black coffee, to taste.
Orange hot chocolate - Replace half the water with orange juice and add a pinch of cinnamon
Three Adult Beverage Hot Chocolate Recipes
1. add 1 ounce of warm Kahlua
2. 1/4 ounce Peppermint Schnapps and 1/2 ounce chocolate liqueur
3. 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, pinch of ground cloves, 1/8 tsp. nutmeg, 1 and 1/2 ounces of spiced rum.
I keep these ingredients in my cupboard all the time, that way I can have hot chocolate any time I want, or make it for guests. Some times I also make it for a hostess gift, especially during the holidays. Just bag the ingredients separately and put them in a decorative tin or box for perfect gift giving!
I do love hot cocoa! Of course, I love anything that is chocolate. I don't believe we ever had powdered milk in my childhood home. Mom made our hot chocolate with milk, heated on the stove top. Wow! That certainly brings back memories, constantly stirring the milk to keep it from scorching. Powdered milk would certainly be a lot more convenient and easier. I will have to give your mom's recipe a try this week (as soon as I get some powdered milk). It is always exciting to try new and delicious recipes!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great way to make hot cocoa, which I love. Especially on cold winter mornings. I used to use powdered milk in several ways, but never knew about using it to make homemade cocoa. Thanks for the recipe, Tracey.
ReplyDeleteI love making hot cocoa from scratch. It’s so quick and easy, and I agree that it tastes much better and gives you quality control over the ingredients. Like you, I also love changing it up with different flavoring additions. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
ReplyDeleteMany times I have put Splenda in place of real sugar. This is the beauty of making anything from scratch, you can change it how you like!
DeleteI’ve never thought to make homemade hot chocolate with powered milk, that’s a great idea, and adding all the flavors you suggest as well, yum! That adult version is calling my name!
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