Creamy Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa

Well, that time of year is on the way in. It’s cold and grey and we all need a little pick-me-up.

I have to say, I’m ready for cold weather, but I’m not too thrilled to be giving up my sunshine.

Anyway, one of the ways I cope in the winter is by drinking a lot of hot drinks. Tea, coffee, even warm chicken bouillon (yum). Of course, a house favorite is always hot cocoa.

While most cocoas use unsweetened cocoa powder, I prefer to use Hershey’s Special Dark. Sure, it comes out looking like black bean juice, but it tastes fantastic.

Creamy Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa

• 1/3 cup Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• a pinch of salt (about 1/8 tsp)
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
• half & half OR coffee creamer (any flavor), to taste
• cinnamon, whipped cream, etc., for garnish (optional)

Step 01: Combine the cocoa, sugar, and salt in a medium-large saucepan. Stir in the water and bring this mixture to a slight boil, stirring constantly.

Step 02: Add the milk and let it warm up until it’s very hot, but do not let it boil.

Step 03: Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Divide the cocoa between four mugs. Add the half & half or coffee cream to cool the cocoa. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.

Zach said this cocoa tasted like Oreos and…I suppose it did! Especially with the whipped cream. It wasn’t what I was going for, but it was delicious all the same.

I want to make this simpler by making it in a crock pot, but I haven’t figured that out yet. I imagine you could just toss everything until the half & half into a crock pot and let it cook on low heat for two hours (stir it every 30 minutes or so). Maybe I’ll try that next time and let you all know how it goes. 🙂

What’s your favorite cold weather drink?

Creamy Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa

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Ingredients

• 1/3 cup Hershey's Special Dark cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• a pinch of salt (about 1/8 tsp)
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
• half & half OR coffee creamer (any flavor), to taste
• cinnamon, whipped cream, etc., for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 01: Combine the cocoa, sugar, and salt in a medium-large saucepan. Stir in the water and bring this mixture to a slight boil, stirring constantly.

Step 02: Add the milk and let it warm up until it’s very hot, but do not let it boil.

Step 03: Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Divide the cocoa between four mugs. Add the half & half or coffee cream to cool the cocoa. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.

Creamy Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa was last modified: May 2nd, 2017 by Chelsey