Easy hot chocolate

Here are three simple and delicious recipes for hot chocolate adapted from the Western Dairy Association :

Candy Cane Holiday Hot Chocolate

Makes 8 9-ounce servings.

1 cup sugar
2/3 cup cocoa
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 cups milk
8 candy canes

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa, water and salt.
  2. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until cocoa dissolves.
  3. Stir in milk. Cook over medium heat until hot (do not boil).
  4. Pour into 4 cups, place 1 candy cane in each cup. 1 cup chocolate milk, heated

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

Makes 8 servings

8 individual cups chocolate milk, heated (or plain instant hot chocolate)
4 tsp. ground cinnamon
8 cinnamon sticks

Directions

  1. Stir 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon into each cup of hot chocolate milk
  2. Put one cinnamon stick in each cup and serve.

Create your own hot chocolate

Add any one of the following to a cup of low-fat or fat-free hot chocolate milk or instant hot chocolate:

  • 1 tsp cherry, raspberry or strawberry syrup
  • 1 heaping Tbs. vanilla ice cream
  • Dash of extract: vanilla, almond, rum, brandy, crème de menthe, cherry, banana, peppermint, strawberry, maple, coconut or orange
  • Top with grated chocolate or coconut
  • Float mini-marshmallows on top

Photo credit: A song under the sugar sugar on Flickr.com