Holiday Special: Make Your Own Hot Chocolate!

Ever since the weather has turned cold and dark, I've been craving a silky smooth cup of hot cocoa in the evenings.  I especially love "Mexican" hot chocolate with just a dash of cinnamon and/or chili pepper.  Recently, I bought Ghirardelli's 100% unsweetened cocoa to make some chocolate cake, but found a fabulous hot chocolate recipe on the back of the label.  All it called for was 2 tablespoons cocoa and 1 tablespoon sugar with a cup of hot milk.  I tried it and now both my husband and I are hooked.  This cocoa is very dark, but only slightly bitter, so it makes a very rich, smooth chocolate.  The cinnamon in my recipe also balances out the flavor with a little spice.

I can't take all the credit for this recipe, but I felt it was worth sharing because of all the ways you can customize it to brighten your holidays!  I, for one, add a pinch of cinnamon to each cup, but there are many other flavors you could add to make it unique.  

Also, this would be a fantastic gift for Thanksgiving or Christmas.  I have started making large batches of hot chocolate mix so that it is always on hand for us in the evenings.  Or a batch of hot chocolate mix in a cute bottle with a bow would be perfect for friends and family.  Instead of buying expensive hot chocolate mixes, save some money and have fun by making them yourself!

Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe 
1 cup serving
(Inspired by the recipe from Ghirardelli)

2 TB 100% unsweetened cocoa
1 TB brown sugar
1 pinch cinnamon (about 1/8 tsp)
8 oz or 1 cup hot almond milk  (or whatever milk you like!)

1. Mix cocoa, sugar, and cinnamon in the bottom of a tea cup.
2. Heat milk on the stove or microwave until steaming.  If you heat it on the stove, stir it constantly so it doesn't burn on the bottom.
3.  Fill your tea cup 1/2 way with hot milk.  Use a whisk to blend cocoa mixure, making sure it dissolved completely.  Fill the rest of the cup with hot milk.  Whisk lightly to blend and create a soft foam on top.  
4. Enjoy!

NOTE: I've been making large batches of the hot chocolate mix by multiplying the recipe by 6.  That makes about 2 cups or more.  It turns out to be 12 TB cocoa, 6 TB sugar, 1 TB cinnamon.  Then, add 1 to 2 TB of chocolate mix per cup!

There are also many other flavors you could use to make a 'fancier' hot chocolate.  Or you can always keep it plain which is delicious, too!  Here are a few of my ideas:

Chai or Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

2 TB cocoa
1 TB sugar
1 pinch of each: cinnamon, clove, allspice OR garam malasa OR pre-made pumpkin spice blend

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

2 TB cocoa
1 TB sugar
1 pinch finely ground peppermint candy or candy canes

Spicy Hot Chocolate

2 TB cocoa 
1 TB sugar
1 pinch cayenne or chili pepper

Hot Chocolate Mocha

2 TB cocoa
1 TB sugar
1 tsp instant coffee OR 1/2 hot chocolate and 1/2 coffee like my husband does!

ENJOY!