Hot Cocoa on the Stove

Do you remember snowy days as a kid?

The first snow, it was absolutely necessary to run outside and play in the falling snow, even if it didn't stick. You bundle up, with scarf and hat and gloves. Then, running around outside, it's like you're in a magical land.

At least it was for me.

I remember one year it was at night and we had our outdoor lights on, so that the lights caught the snowflakes and lit them up. It was beautiful and majestic. We laughed and ran around. I think my sister and I were both in high school.

Then when we got inside, totally frozen, and peeled our wet coverings off, my mom made us hot cocoa.

I enjoy hot cocoa mix, but on the stove? Fuhgetaboutit.

I made some last night.

You start with 2 oz of unsweetened baking chocolate squares and 1 cup water. Heat this in a heavy bottomed pan on medium. Be careful that it doesn't burn.

Stir until smooth, stir in 1/4 cup of sugar and a dash of salt. You can taste and add additional sugar if you want to.

Heat this to boiling, reduce to low and simmer for a few minutes (3-4), stirring constantly.

Then add 3 cups of milk. You can add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla at this point if you like that. Heat only until it's hot.

Once it's warm enough, you can beat with a whisk or blender to make it foamy, or just give it a good stir and ladle it out.

I found these peppermint marshmallows, by Jet-Puffed. They tasted awesome in it. You could also spike it with a shot of Kahlua or butterschotch schnapps.

The fireman put a spoonful of instant coffe at the bottom of his cup before adding the hot cocoa. And then added a spoonful of Cool Whip.

We lit candles on our candle-crazy piano.

Admired our lit Christmas tree (with no ornaments yet).

And watched our DVR'd copy of Walking Dead. Christmassy, right?

Then this morning on the way to work, you'll never guess what happened.

It started snowing. I had to take a picture and update my blog to share. It's heavier now, as I look through my window. I tried, but couldn't take a good picture of it. It's starting to really come down!

First snow, what a beautiful thing.

The Recipe:
2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate (2 squares)
1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
3 cups milk (lowfat is fine)
dash salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Heat chocolate and water in saucepan over medium until smooth. Stir in sugar and salt. Heat until boiling, reduce to low and simmer 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in milk, heat just until hot. Beat until foamy or stir until smooth.

Serve immediately.

Additions:
Shot of Butterscotch Schnapps
Shot of Kahlua
1 teaspoon instant coffee
dash of cinnamon (Mexican coffee)
whipped cream
marshmallows
peppermint stick
chocolate chips/shavings
anything else that you like with cocoa!