When it's cold and frosty outside, there's nothing better thancurling up with a nice big mug of homemade hot chocolate. Whypay several dollars for a cup of gourmet hot chocolate when youcan easily learn how to make your own delicious hot chocolatedrink?

You can make the classic creamy hot chocolate, or get a littleadventurous and try the white chocolate or Mexican hot chocolaterecipe. If you enjoy giving hot chocolate as a gift, then youmay wish to make your own hot chocolate mix and put it indecorative glass jars.

The following hot chocolate recipes can be made the oldfashioned way, using a pan and a stovetop. Or, you may wish topurchase a hot chocolate maker to speed things up.

However you decide to make it, you'll definitely enjoy the aromaand flavors of a delicious hot chocolate drink tickling yourtaste buds, and warming your tummy during the long winter daysand nights.

Creamy Hot Chocolate

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk) cup unsweetened cocoa 1 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/8 teaspoonsalt 6 cups hot water Marshmallows (optional)

Directions

In large saucepan over medium heat, combine sweetened condensedmilk, cocoa, vanilla, and salt; mix well. Slowly stir in water.Heat through, stirring occasionally. Do not boil. Top withmarshmallows. Store covered in refrigerator. Will last up to 5days.

Makes 8 servings.

Easy Mexican Hot Chocolate

3 tablespoons instant hot chocolate mix 1 tablespoon chocolatesyrup teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 pinch chili powder cup milk cup boiling water

Directions

In a large mug, mix the hot chocolate mix, chocolate syrup,cinnamon, and chili powder. Pour in the milk. Add the boilingwater and stir.

Makes 2 servings.

Spicy White Hot Chocolate

3 cups 2% fat milk 6 oz. white chocolate, chopped 1 egg,beaten teaspoon cayenne pepper teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Place the white chocolate in a medium metal bowl over a pan ofbarely simmering water, or in the top half of a double boiler.Allow the chocolate to melt, stirring occasionally until smooth.Stir in cayenne pepper and cinnamon. Whisk in the egg untilsmooth.

Gradually whisk in one cup of the milk until completelyincorporated, about 2

minutes.

Gradually whisk in remaining milk, and heat until hot, but notsimmering. (You don't want a skin to form on top of the milk).Chocolate will be ready to drink when either the taste of thecayenne is masked by the temperature of the milk (the spicinessof the pepper will remain), or when the hot chocolate is at yourdesired temperature.

Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs and garnish with a sprinkle ofcinnamon.

Makes 4 servings.

Zingy Mocha Hot Chocolate

cup semisweet chocolate chips cup milk teaspoon groundcinnamon 1 dash hot chili powder 1 teaspoon instant coffeegranules cup cold milk Marshmallows and chocolate sprinkles(optional)

Directions

Combine the chocolate chips and milk in a glass or plastic dish,microwave on high, stirring every 20 - 30 seconds, until meltedand smooth. Mix in the coffee, cinnamon, and hot chili powderuntil the instant coffee has dissolved. Stir in the cold milk.

Strain into 2 mugs. Thin with additional milk, if desired.Garnish with marshmallows and chocolate sprinkles. Makes 2servings.

Peanut Buttercup Hot Chocolate

1 (1 oz.) envelope instant hot chocolate mix 2 teaspoons creamypeanut butter

Directions

In a mug, prepare chocolate mix as directed on package. Stir in1 or 2 teaspoons of peanut butter. Enjoy.

Makes 1 serving.

Russian Hot Chocolate

1 oz. vanilla flavored vodka oz. amaretto liqueur 1 tablespooninstant hot chocolate mix 4 oz. hot milk

Directions

In a coffee mug, pour in the vanilla vodka, amaretto, and addthe hot chocolate mix. Pour in the hot milk and stir to blendwell.

Makes 1 serving.

Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

11 cups dry milk powder 1 (8 oz.) container powdered non-dairycreamer 2 cups confectioners' sugar 1 (16 oz) containerinstant chocolate drink mix

Directions

Sift together the powdered milk, non-dairy creamer, powderedsugar and instant chocolate drink mix. Store in air tightcontainers or glass jars for gift giving

To use: Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of mix to 1 cup of water. Add adash of cinnamon, If desired.

Make 80 servings.



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Donna Monday Love Cookies? All Your favorites herehttp://www.best-cookie-jar-recipes.com