Celebrating National Hot Chocolate Day

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) - Sometimes there’s nothing better on a cold day than a hot mug of hot chocolate. But you don’t have to rely on store-bought hot chocolate. With just a few ingredients, you can make your own. Chef Jill Aker-Ray shared her recipes with us!

Creamy Homemade Hot Chocolate:

A combination of cocoa powder and chocolate chips make this hot chocolate extra flavorful and delicious!

Prep Time: 1 minute

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 cups milk (preferably whole or 2%- or use nut milk/nondairy milk)

• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• ¼ cup granulated sugar or coconut sugar

• ½ cup bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar

• ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or peppermint or almond extract)

Instructions

• Place milk, cocoa powder and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium/medium-low heat, whisking frequently, until warm (but not boiling).

• Add chocolate chips and whisk constantly until the chocolate chips melt and distribute evenly into the milk.

• Whisk in vanilla or other extract and a pinch of salt (if desired), serve immediately.

• Make a cocoa bar and add marshmallows, crushed peppermints, m and ms, sprinkles, whipped cream

Dry Hot Cocoa Mix:

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 2 ½ cups powdered milk*, dairy or non-dairy milk

• 1 teaspoon salt

Add 1/3 cup to 8 oz hot/boiling water and mix thoroughly to combine.

Top with marshmallows, whipped cream