Hot Chocolate Treat
When you come in after a long afternoon of playing in the snow, there is nothing that’ll warm you nicer than a hot cup of homemade hot chocolate. Trust me, I’ve had the store bought kind and I’ve dabbled here and there with a few recipes, but nothing beats that real cocoa-based, high-quality chocolate for that after-snow, sit by the fire, kind of snuggly treat.
I guess this winter we’ll be spending a lot more time outdoors than usual. Or, I should say, outdoors in the snow, because it’s right around this time that I fancy myself a beach vacation, but alas, this year we will be slope-bound and snowman-makers like good old fashioned Canadians that we are. So if you love a good après ski treat – here is the perfect hot chocolate recipe that will make you ooh and ahh by the fire.
Oh and one last thing – we all have our favourite toppings. In my family toppings range from cinnamon, fine cocoa powder, peppermint sticks and whipped cream, but the one we all agree on is marshmallows. So, without further ado, here is my hot chocolate recipe:
Homemade Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
3 tablespoons cocoa powder (I use Cocoa Barry, Extra Brute)
3 cups of vanilla oat milk (I love Califia Farms), but you can use whole milk if you prefer
5 ounces of semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (I use Cocoa Barry, 34%)
2 tablespoons of coconut sugar (or white sugar), optional
Pinch of salt
Marshmallows to top (I found peppermint marshmallows for added spice!)
Instructions
Bring ¾ cup of water to simmer in a medium saucepan
Whisk in the cocoa powder
When the lumps are gone, add milk and simmer
Whisk in finely chopped chocolate and sugar
Whisk frequently until everything is smooth and creamy and all the chocolate is melted. This step takes about 5 minutes
Pour and serve with gingerbread cookies or any other of your favourite goodies!
