Winter Hot Chocolate...

Last week I mentioned that I would share my homemade hot chocolate recipe when we had another snow day.  Well, we aren't having any snow but it has been pretty darn cold....a very welcome change considering it was sweltering while we were in Tampa ...YUCK!!

Since I love you all, I decided to go ahead and share that hot chocolate recipe.


I shared it last year, but it is so good AND I have some new peeps following along, so I think it is definitely worth another share! Don't you?

WINTER HOT CHOCOLATE (serves 4) 
1/2 cup sugar 
1/4 cup cocoa 
a dash of salt 
1/3 cut hot water 
4 cups milk 
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional) 

Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in a saucepan.  Stir in hot water until dry ingredients are dissolved.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture boils.  Boil and stir for 2 minutes.  Add milk.  Stir and heat through.  Do not boil.  Remove from heat and add vanilla.  Mix well.


Now, if you want to make a cup just for yourself, here's the condensed version for one...

WINTER HOT CHOCOLATE....for one...
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
a dash of salt
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspon vanilla extract (optional)

Mix first 3 ingredients in mug.  Heat milk.  Gradually add milk to cocoa mixture.  Stir well.  Add vanilla, stir well.



I promise...this hot chocolate will warm you through and through!


36 comments

  1. Replies
    1. Me too Brenda!! I usually add a little whipped cream also…I could drink it all day long!!

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  2. The recipe looks good and love the way you staged it. Will be trying this recipe soon as it's cold here too.

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    1. It's a great recipe. A friend of mine shared it with me many years ago and it is one of my staples! Y'all have had a mild winter so far.

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  3. Oh my, that looks delicious. Hot chocolate is our go to for dessert here pretty often. I confess to making packets but I bet this is so much better. Hard to beat a little Hershey's Cocoa. :)

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    1. It is definitely hard to beat the Hershey’s Cocoa, but I will tell you a secret. Swiss Miss has a boxed Dark Chocolate Hot Chocolate that is delicious when you are in a pinch. I use two packets to make it super rich….yep, those are two words that can always go together in regard to anything chocolate! :-)

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  4. thank you so much for the "for one!" one. :)

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    1. You are so very welcome! I like hot chocolate more than the hubster, so it is usually "for one" for me! :-)

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  5. How delicious this looks! We had a hot chocolate bar at the shower we hosted for my niece--it was a big hit. Sometimes we forget how much we loved it as kids.

    You mentioned that our family rooms were similar, let that be a sign that we need to see more of your home. I've loved every room you've shared. You have a great sense of style and take gorgeous pics!

    Happy Weekend, my friend!

    Jane

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet words...I appreciate it greatly! I do need to show more...I've got some more decorating to do. :-)

      I bet the hot chocolate bar was delicious...there are so many things you can add to make it more special! YUM...I would have had to be dragged away from it! :-) Hope you had a most wonderful weekend and that your week is off to a great start! Hugs!!

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  6. Replies
    1. You are so welcome! That’s how I usually have to make it…for one! :-)

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  7. Yum! I am also guilty of using the pre-mixed hot cocoa. This looks really easy and delicious, so I will definitely be trying it! I just discovered that the addition of some half and half makes hot chocolate very rich, although I don't generally keep that in the frig....

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    1. Oh YUM!!!! I bet it does make it so wonderful. Lately, I've tried to be good and use 1% or 2% milk, but it just isn't the same....you are such a bad influence...LOL!!! Hugs!!

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  8. My mom was a natural for making homemade cocoa growing up, so perfect on those snow days in the Rockies.
    I can see these are wonderful recipes!
    Your blog update is beautiful!
    Warm hugs sweet friend!
    Xo
    Jemma

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    1. Jemma, thank you so much! My mother never made hot chocolate from scratch, so I try to do a few things from scratch just to get that homemade flavor! Thank you again and I hope your week is off to a wonderful start! Hugs!!

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  9. Hi Benita,
    This hot cocoa recipe looks so good...and your photos are so pretty...I could almost taste it looking at the photos! ;)
    I love the monogram mugs and the heart marshmallows...everything looks so welcoming...you know, for someone like me to come over and be served hot cocoa on such a pretty tray! Now, we just need to find me a 'K' mug! ;)
    Wishing you the Happiest of Weekends my friend! Big Hugs! Kimberley

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    1. Hey girl! Thank you so much, you are so sweet! I found those monogram mugs at Kirkland's one year and just fell in love with them. So I will definitely be on the lookout for a "K" for you for the next time you visit the Nashville area! :-) Hope your week is off to a great start....ours is...we have more SNOW! :-) Hugs sweet friend!!

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  10. Mmmmmmm !! Sounds amazing. Will have to give it a try.
    Thanks for sharing. ((HUGS))

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    1. Thank you so much and thank you for visiting! Hugs!!

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  11. Oh I love that you share the recipe for just one cup! That's always so hard to figure out and get it right. Thanks!!!

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    1. You are so welcome! The hubster prefers coffee, so on those days when I want hot chocolate and he doesn't, the "one cup" is perfect for me! Hugs!!

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  12. Yummmmmmm....

    And I love that last picture...

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    1. Thank you so much! It is a great recipe! Love and hugs to you sweet friend!!

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  13. Hot chocolate, a fire, and a great book. YUM!

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    1. Perfect combination! And perfect for this snow we are having! :-)

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  14. Hot chocolate warms the soul. Thanks for your recipe sweet Benita.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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    1. Yes, it does…something so relaxing about hot chocolate! You are so welcome! Hope you are having a great week! Hugs!!

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  15. This reminds me of my mother's hot chocolate. Yum.

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    1. It is a wonderful recipe and tastes delicious!!

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  16. Benita,
    Adding vanilla is the secret ingredient! My mom's recipe for French toast included vanilla, and I could always tell when I forgot to add it. I'm sure this recipe is delicious. When I was younger I drank lots of hot chocolate, but not much any more. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
    Judith

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    1. You are so right…the vanilla is key…too much and it ruins it…too little and it has a lackluster flavor! Thank you so much!

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  17. Hi,
    This is my recipe as well. FUN!! My boys love, love, love this hot chocolate. We have it every Wednesday night when they come home from Youth Group and we chat while we have our hot chocolate.
    Have a great week,
    Carla

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    Replies
    1. Isn’t it a wonderful recipe??!! So perfect and easy to make. And yes, perfect for conversations!! Hope your week is off to a great start! Hugs!!

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  18. I haven't had hot chocolate in a coons age! I think a cup later tonight might be in order. Now where's that bottle of Bailey's I put in it.... ;)

    love to you,
    rue

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    1. YUM on the Bailey's!! Hmmmm, I'm also thinking some Kahlúa might be good in this recipe also! ;-) Love and hugs to you sweet friend!!

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