by S.A. Lake

Created on: June 18, 2008

HOW TO MAKE THE WORLD'S BEST HOT COCOA

THE BASICS

Do you remember hot cocoa like grandma use to make? Thick, rich hot cocoa made from scratch and served with love. Well it's time to pass it on to the new generation! This rich chocolaty recipe will bring back childhood memories with every cup while offering a foundation for future family hot cocoa favorites!

Granny's Hot Cocoa

Yield: 36 oz.
Servings: 6

Ingredients:
1 can evaporated milk
2 cans water
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp. real butter

Directions:
1. In a medium sauce pan, combine milk, water, vanilla, and butter.
2. Heat over medium low heat until hot. In a small dish combine cocoa and and sugar.
3. Slowly add cocoa mixture to milk with wire whisk until it is completely blended.
4. Pour into mugs and serve.

OPTIONAL ADDITIONS & SUBSTITUTIONS

Hot cocoa flavor combinations offer an endless variety of possibilities. The only limit factor to what you can do with your hot cocoa is set by your own taste buds! Try experimenting with different combinations of the following ingredients and you may just find that you've created a new family favorite.

Substitute 1/2 cup of brown sugar for the 1 cup of white sugar
Substitute 4 1/2 cups of whole milk for the evaporated milk and water
Substitute 1/4 cup of finely chopped chocolate for the cocoa powder and sugar
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground red pepper
1 tsp. chipotle powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 Tbsp. instant coffee granules
1 tsp. Maple syrup
1/4 tsp. All-spice
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 pureed banana
1 Tbsp. hazelnut flavoring syrup
1/4 tsp. peppermint oil

GARNISHES

Garnishes can be so much more than just a way to present a pretty drink, they can also add to the flavor of your hot cocoa. The garnish does not necessarily have to be the same flavor as the flavoring in the coffee. This freedom to mix and match can open doors to many new and exciting flavor creations! For instance, try adding a cinnamon stick garnish to a marshmallow crme topped hot cocoa flavored with ground cloves. Or, you could sprinkle your whipped cream topped, banana flavored hot cocoa with finely shredded white chocolate. The possibilities are virtually endless!

Ground or shaved chocolate pieces
Whipped crme
Marshmallow crme
Peppermint stick
Cinnamon stick
Chocolate dipped stirring spoon
Mini marshmallows
Finely ground nuts

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