The Best Hot Cocoa Recipe

I'd like to introduce you to my favorite Hot Cocoa recipe which has been very well-received by everyone who has tasted it. I have found many other hot cocoa recipes on the Internet, however, many of them use too much sugar which detracts from the delicious taste of the cocoa. Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients (serves four in small mugs):

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 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
• Whipped cream
• Dash of ground cinnamon
• Cinnamon stick

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.
2. Divide between 4 mugs and add a cinnamon stick to each
3. Add the ½ & ½ cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature
4. Add whipped cream on top of hot cocoa
5. Sprinkle ground cinnamon to taste
6. Enjoy!

Great addition ideas:

• Peppermint sticks
• 1 tablespoon caramel sauce
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee or espresso
• Strips of orange rind placed in chocolate for 1 to 2 minutes
• Peanut butter