
I ran out of those hot chocolate packets in the winter and have refused to buy them ever since. I must admit it was the price that made me pause. $3.99 to $8 depending on the brand for sugar and chocolate in a can or box?
Then because I'm a fanatic at reading labels I flipped it over and was gobsmacked. I mistakenly thought that hot chocolate was just that, chocolate with sugar. Is nothing sacred? More additives in the commercial variety with of course preservatives for "freshness" and synthetic flavourings for mass production. So I thought I could do better on both counts. Price and flavour. I will NEVER go back to buying it pre-made. The recipe is so easy that anyone can do it. This is not hot chocolate this is HOT COCOA EXTRAORDINAIRE!
In a small bowl mix together:
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup pure cocoa (the dark variety that has cocoa oil still in it, pricey but well worth it and still cheaper in the end)
Pinch of salt (tricks your brain that it's sweeter than what it is without more sugar being added)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (that's the secret ingredient)
Once combined store in a jar. Add 2 Tablespoons of mixture to a mug (or to taste) and add boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Add a splash of 1/2 and 1/2 cream to this, milk or you could also add to coffee! Cafe Mocha! here we come! Enjoy! Next step? Learning how to make marshmellows from scratch.....
Then because I'm a fanatic at reading labels I flipped it over and was gobsmacked. I mistakenly thought that hot chocolate was just that, chocolate with sugar. Is nothing sacred? More additives in the commercial variety with of course preservatives for "freshness" and synthetic flavourings for mass production. So I thought I could do better on both counts. Price and flavour. I will NEVER go back to buying it pre-made. The recipe is so easy that anyone can do it. This is not hot chocolate this is HOT COCOA EXTRAORDINAIRE!
In a small bowl mix together:
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup pure cocoa (the dark variety that has cocoa oil still in it, pricey but well worth it and still cheaper in the end)
Pinch of salt (tricks your brain that it's sweeter than what it is without more sugar being added)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (that's the secret ingredient)
Once combined store in a jar. Add 2 Tablespoons of mixture to a mug (or to taste) and add boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Add a splash of 1/2 and 1/2 cream to this, milk or you could also add to coffee! Cafe Mocha! here we come! Enjoy! Next step? Learning how to make marshmellows from scratch.....