What do you do when it’s freezing cold outside, and the roads are too icy to go anywhere?? Have a Hot Cocoa cook-off!! It’s fun and it keeps you warm! Win-Win!
OK… so selfishly I needed to find a Hot Cocoa recipe. I’ve never made homemade Hot Cocoa before, and I am putting together a Hot Cocoa Bar in a couple of weeks… I wanted to find the perfect cocoa recipe to serve to my guests!
After being snowed in for the past few days, I was eager to get out for some fresh, but insanely cold air… so I snuck out while everyone was asleep to gather up some Hot Cocoa supplies. Luckily, grocery stores were still open!! And yes, I actually drove 5 miles an hour and braved the icy roads for some cocoa! That’s determination!!
For each round of the cook-off, I made several Hot Cocoa samples…. using different milks, creams, brands of cocoa, toppings, etc. and in different quantities. My taste testers and I discussed what we liked and didn’t like about each… the thickness, the sweetness, the creaminess, the taste… you get the idea! Then I’d go back for more experimenting until we found the one that embodied it all! After much tasty deliberation, a winner was crowned. This Hot Cocoa had a unique flavor, a smooth texture, a rich chocolaty taste, and was not as sweet as some of the others. This cocoa was also thought to pair well with toppings and work perfectly as a spiked option! 🙂
Hope you enjoy the “Snowed In Homemade Hot Cocoa Cook-Off Champion”!
- 5 cups 2% Milk
- ½ cup Hershey's Natural Unsweetened Cocoa
- 14 oz can Sweetened Condensed Milk
- ½ tsp Vanilla Extract
- Heat Milk in a saucepan over medium heat
- Bring to a simmer, but do not boil
- Slowly add Cocoa to saucepan, whisking vigorously until combined
- Add Condensed Milk and Vanilla Extract
- Whisk until combined
- Simmer for 5 minutes
- Serve hot with any desired toppings
Leave a Reply