There is something warm and inviting about a steamy hot cup of homemade cocoa. Making cocoa from scratch takes about the same amount of time as it does to open a package of instant cocoa mix and heating it in the microwave. But, once you have experienced a steam hot mug of scrumptious full flavored homemade cocoa, the stuff in the envelope will never quite do it for you again!


Hot Cocoa Recipe for 2

1/4 cup good-quality cocoa powder
1/4 cup sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 cup boiling water
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
whipped cream or tiny marshmallows (optional)

Mix the cocoa powder, sugar and salt in a saucepan; slowly blend in the boiling water with a wire whisk. Set the sauce pan on the stove and turn the heat to medium high. Bring the mixture to a gently boil, stirring about 2 minutes until slightly thickened.

Reduce heat to low and stir in the milk; heat slowly over low heat until the cocoa is scalding hot, stirring frequently.

Remove hot cocoa from heat, add vanilla extract and beat with an immersion blender or wire whisk until foamy. Serve hot cocoa topped with whipped cream or marshmallows, if desired.