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Cocoa Indulgence Warms Chill Days

Cocoa Indulgence Warms Chill Days

It’s snowing again. Great, white flakes drifted lazily at first. Now they are coming thicker and faster and the wind is beginning to blow a bit. One by one, my obligations for the afternoon have cancelled. No one wants to brave the elements if they can avoid it and suddenly I find myself faced with a free afternoon. Time for  music and hot cocoa.

I make a couple of different kinds of hot chocolate. I have a mix that I make in bulk and give away as gifts. It’s quite good, certainly better than any commercial mix I’ve tried, but I find myself hankering for something special, indulgent, something that says SNOW DAY!!!!

Cocoa Indulgence Warms Chill Days

It’s snowing again. Great, white flakes drifted lazily at first. Now they are coming thicker and faster and the wind is beginning to blow a bit. One by one, my obligations for the afternoon have cancelled. No one wants to brave the elements if the...

Author
Lehman's

Ingredients

  • 2 cups rich milk
  • 5 ounces good chocolate (semi-sweet, bittersweet, or a mix)
  • Brown sugar, to taste (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (or 1 vanilla pod, optional)
  • Heavy cream, for topping (optional)
  • Cinnamon, for topping (optional)

Directions

  1. Warm the milk in a small saucepan or double boiler over very low heat.
  2. Do not allow the milk to boil.
  3. Finely chop the chocolate.
  4. Add the chocolate to the warm milk.
  5. Stir continuously until the chocolate is completely melted.
  6. Add vanilla extract or a vanilla pod if using.
  7. Continue heating gently until the mixture is hot and steaming.
  8. Remove from heat.
  9. Add brown sugar to taste if needed.
  10. Pour into mugs.
  11. Top with a swirl of heavy cream if desired.
  12. Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired.
  13. Serve immediately.
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Kathy Harrison

Kathy Harrison

Kathy and her husband own a small hobby farm. They raise bees, have an orchard and grow organic vegetables. They also raise a few pigs and chickens. Most of what they do is a cooperative venture with close neighbors. She has written two books on family preparedness for Storey Publishing, Just In Case: How To Be Self-Sufficient When the Unexpected Happens and Prepping 101: 40 Steps You Can Take To Be Prepared.

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