How to Make Real Hot Cocoa

American Hot Chocolate is very different from the original hot coca developed by Mayan culture about 2000 years ago. It originally was a very bitter drink and even contact peppers. Today, Many European countries have modified the original recipe for hot cocoa to keep it thick and rich, however, mildly sweet at the same time. Rich hot cocoa is much healthier as it contains higher concentrations of pure cocoa and less sugar. Cocoa is very healthy due to it's high amount of anti-oxidants and also triggers the release of endorphins... making you happy!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 100% Cocoa Powder
• Cane Sugar
• Milk
• Pot
• Stove
• Vanilla Extract
• Powdered Cinamon

1. You can make as much or as little as you want, and I never make it the same everytime, so I will not specify volumes or amounts of any of the ingredients. Just have fun experimenting!
   First you want to warm up a pot of milk slowly without burning it. Bring it up to about 140 to 150 degrees F. You can just guess by sticking your finger in it if you like.

2. Begin by adding several heaping table spoons of pure cocoa powder and stirring. Keep adding cocoa until the milk is a rich brown, and then begin adding a few table spoons of cane sugar. I continue this process while periodically tasting this until it is just to my liking. I typically enjoy mine so as to taste more like dark chocolate. This is how it is typically served in europe. However, if you do not like dark chocolate, feel free to add less cocoa and more sugar.

3. Once the taste is just right, I add a few small cap-fulls of vanilla extract and a little bit of cinnamon. Again, this can be done to your tasting. After a few times of doing this, you will probably have this down to an art of getting it just the way you like it. This is a wonderful treat to make for guests in the winter... or even the summer!
   I have yet to have someone that hasn't turned wide eyed when they have tasted this. Making hot cocoa this method is much different from instant hot chocolate.
   Enjoy!

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to add too much hot cocoa. Before adding the sugar it will taste very bitter.
• Be careful not to scald the milk

[wirelessjen]

on 1/14/2009 I love hot chocolate. I'll try this soon. Thanks.

[missforty]

on 1/12/2009 Great recipe for making homemade hot cocoa.