Hot chocolate is a popular winter beverage. While most of us tend to buy our hot chocolate mix in the store, it’s actually pretty easy to make your own hot chocolate from scratch at home. Here are a few easy methods that will produce a delicious cup of hot cocoa every time.
Hot Chocolate Mix
You don’t need to buy hot chocolate mix from a store in order to make a quick cup of cocoa! You can whip a simple mix up from scratch and keep it on hand. All you need to do is boil some water and then stir in 1-2 tablespoons of the mix, depending on how thick you like it. To make the mix, whisk 3 cups dry milk powder, ¾ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt together in a medium bowl. Store in an airtight container.
Italian Style Hot Chocolate
Italian style hot chocolate is a lot thicker than what we normally drink. In fact, for chocolate lovers, it’s an absolute treat! The texture is creamy and rich – many people describe it as similar to chocolate pudding, only it is a little thinner. To make a single cup, mix 2 teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of corn starch in a small dish. Add 1¼ cups of milk to a small saucepan and heat gently over low heat. As the milk starts to get warm, whisk in the dry ingredients. Keep whisking until the mixture thickens and the milk is heated through.
Mayan Hot Chocolate
According to legend, the ancient Mayans are the first people who drank hot chocolate. Their brew wasn’t sweet, it was bitter, much like coffee, and it was heavily spiced. It wasn’t looked at as a pleasure drink, either. It was a health brew designed to give energy and encourage athletic endurance. Today’s versions of Mayan hot chocolate are slightly improvised from the original because they appeal to our desire for a sweeter flavor. Simply prepare a cup of your favorite hot chocolate and add ½ teaspoon each of cayenne pepper and cinnamon.
White Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate doesn’t need to be made with milk or dark chocolate – white chocolate is just as delicious. To make a single cup, add 1½ cups of milk to a saucepan with 2 ounces of white chocolate chips and ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the milk is warm and the chocolate is completely melted. This beverage tastes especially delicious when garnished with mini marshmallows!
There’s nothing like drinking a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day! Instead of making yours from a store bought mix, try making a cup from scratch. It makes such a difference in flavor, you’ll have a hard time making it from a mix again!