Hot Chocolate

Cheers to the New Year 2014 with this Hot and Sweet....Hot Chocolate. This time of the year with the temperatures dropping and the festive/vacation mood lingering on all I feel like doing is cuddle up on my couch with a cup of this Hot Chocolate and watch movies. I like to make my Hot Chocolate topped with some whipped cream making it even more richer and tastier. I know its lot of calories but once in while its OK. 


There are many ways you can make hot chocolate, the very basic is cocoa powder, sugar and milk but for me no hot chocolate is complete without some chocolate hence I like to add chocolate chips as they melt easily and last but not the least a drop of Vanilla essence which helps to enhance the chocolate flavor. Try making this one at home and bet you will never buy those store bought versions. 

Now to the recipe... 

Ingredients: 
1 cup of whole milk
2 tsp of cocoa powder 
1 tbsp of sugar (or to taste)
1 tbsp of chocolate chips 
drop of vanilla essence (optional)
whipped cream (optional)

Method: 
Combine all the ingredients together in a sauce pan (except whipped cream) and bring to a boil. Keep whisking or stirring intermittently to avoid the chocolate from sticking or burning. 

Notes: 

• You can also make this hot chocolate in the microwave. Mix all ingredients in microwave safe bowl or cup and heat for 1 min then stir and again heat for 1 min. Keep an eye to ensure its doesn't spill over. 
• Instead of whole milk you could use the low fat versions but for a creamier hot chocolate try with whole milk and for even creamier mix in some cream or half and half. 
• If you don't have chocolate chips on hand then add an additional tsp of cocoa powder or a tbsp of Chocolate syrup. Both will do the trick. 
• Addition of Vanilla essence just enhances the chocolate flavor even more but even if you skip it it should still taste yum.

That's it, our steaming creamy Hot Chocolate is ready. Serve it topped with whipped cream and some sprinkle of cocoa powder or chocolate shavings. Enjoy!!

Stay Warm!!
Shweta

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