Hot Cocoa

(Photo by Kitchen Therapy)

Hot Cocoa is one of my top 3 favorite drinks.  I absolutely love it!  Coffee and Sara's tea would be in that top three as well.  But today I want to talk about hot cocoa.  Cocoa beans have been very popular for many many years.  They were so valuable that they were used as currency and for trading.  Cocoa beans were so special that they were even given as gifts and used for ceremonies as well.  The Aztecs used Cocoa beans mostly  for medicinal purposes.  The drink they made was nothing like it is today.  Cocoa beans were roasted and then combined with wine and chili beans and drank cold. If you want to read more about cocoa bean check this out. 

(Photo from Gourmet To Go)

Lets see what different kind of recipes I can find that will tickle our fancy today...

For a homemade hot cocoa mix try this.  This is our family favorite found at All Recipes on the web.

10 cups dry milk powder
4 3/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 3/4 cups powdered non-dairy creamer

Directions

1.In a large mixing bowl, combine milk powder, confectioner's sugar, cocoa powder, and creamer. Stir till thoroughly combined. Store cocoa mixture in an airtight container. Makes about 15 cups mix, or enough for about 45 servings.

2.For 1 serving, place 1/3 cup cocoa mixture in a coffee cup or mug, and add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir to dissolve. Top with dollop of whipped cream or a few marshmallows, if desired.

(Photo from Wasabimon)

Here is another recipe from All Recipes sure to please:

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup half-and-half cream

Directions

1.Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.

I am all about making presents as gifts at Christmas time.  Look at how beautiful this is.

(Photo from My Recipes)

Here are the directions for this yummy goody sure to make someones eyes pop out.

1 cup powdered milk

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy

Directions

Layer powdered milk, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, chocolate chips, and peppermint candy.

(Photo from My Vegan Cook Book)

Since it is soooo hot outside, lets check out a CoLd Cocoa drink. 

Ingredients

1 1/2 scoops vanilla ice cream
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup whipped cream
2 tablespoons instant hot chocolate mix
5 chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed

Directions

1.In a blender, combine ice cream, milk, whipped cream, hot chocolate mix and crushed cookies. Blend until smooth. Pour into a large chilled glass.
Doesn't that sound fantastic??!!

(Photo from health.com)

I will be filing that little homemade peppermint hot cocoa gift idea for later...