Arts, Crafts, Music, & Events of Breckinridge County Issue 8, January 2016 | Page 59

The easiest way to make hot chocolate is to tear open a package and
add it to microwaved water, but that is not necessarily the best or
tastiest way. The recipe that I am adding next can use cow milk,
almond milk, soy milk, or even rice milk. Sweeteners other than sugar
may also be substituted, such as honey, agave nectar, or even maple
syrup or brown sugar.
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 to 2 tablespoons sugar (depending on desired sweetness)
Pinch of salt
1 cup of milk or combo of milk, half and half or cream
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Whisk together the cocoa, sugar, salt and about 2 tablespoons of milk
in 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 mixture is hot. Stir in vanilla and serve. If
you like it frothy, throw it in the blender for a few seconds. Other
things can be added to slightly alter the lovely chocolate taste. Instead
of the vanilla, try a smidgen of peppermint extract or a peppermint
stick or peppermint marshmallows. French vanilla marshmallows are
also excellent in this cup of joy. Experiment with the favorite flavors
that you like with chocolate and see what masterpiece you come up
with.

I hope you all enjoy these warming recipes and that they do indeed
warm you after a good romp in the snow.