Hot Chocolate mix

Have you noticed a pattern?  I am a really big fan of hot chocolate. And when I needed a quick fix, Stephens was always my go to. My mom supplied my habit for a few years, but a while back I realized I was out and when I was at the grocery store, decided to pick some up.  I didn't realize until right then that a thing of Stephen's costs like $5!  Way to much for a little thing of hot chocolate mix!  Which is why I was thrilled when I came across this recipe for homemade hot chocolate.  Gathering up all the ingredients to put it together does cost more than $5, but ounce for ounce, this one is way cheaper and even better!

10 cups dry milk powder
4 3/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
1 3/4 cups powdered non-dairy creamer

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Store in a jar or airtight container. Yields 15 cups. To make the cocoa, stir 3 heaping Tablespoons into 3/4 c. hot water or milk. I always advise topping it off with whipped cream as well, but that's just me (and my sweet tooth).  To mix things up a bit, you can throw in some flavored creamer. I have tried French Vanilla, which was really yummy and have a Belgian chocolate creamer just waiting to be used!

The best hot chocolate EVER

I love hot chocolate.  Until recently, Starbucks hot chocolate was my favorite. That changed with this recipe.  I am a big fan of rich, sweet hot chocolate.  Starbucks is rich, but not terribly sweet.  This stuff is amazing.  Everyone loved it. John, who can't handle rich foods, drank a little, loved it, and then had to wait a little while before he could handle having more!  If you prefer the richness without sweet, you can use 2 cups of heavy cream in the place of the sweetened condensed milk.

6 cups milk
2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Combine all ingredients in the crock pot. Cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Top with marshmallows or whipped cream. (Doesn't need either one, but it they are fun for the kids.)

True Hot Chocolate

One morning I was in desperate need of a mood booster and went looking for a real hot chocolate recipe and I found this one.  And it worked.  Oh yes it did!

6 ounces fine-quality semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup water, room temperature
3 tablespoons hot water
3 cups hot milk, divided
Sugar to taste
Whipped cream, if desired

In a double boiler over low heat, combine chocolate and 1/4 cup water until melted, stirring occasionally; stir until smooth.

Remove top of double boiler pan from. Whisk in 3 tablespoons hot water. Pour into pitcher or divide among individual 4 mugs. Either stir 3/4 cup hot milk into each mug or serve milk in a separate pitcher. Pass sugar and whipped cream in separate bowls; add to taste.

Makes 4 servings.