There is nothing quite as comforting as a warm mug of hot chocolate on a snowy winter day. While we were snowed in for several days this week, our family indulged heavily in this winter treat. But there are many ways to make hot chocolate, and I am curious to know how you make yours.
One hard and fast rule for us is that we always use milk as a base. Water is just not creamy enough for our tastes. My go-to hot chocolate is straight cocoa powder with no sugar. I like the bitter taste and would prefer not to feel lethargic after drinking too much sugar. For Little Buddy, I take mine and thin it down with cold milk so it isn’t too hot. And if it’s a special day, he gets marshmallows and possibly even some whipped cream on top.
Mr. Handsome grew up with the classic Swiss Miss pre-made hot chocolate mix but has since expanded his palate. He will happily drink my form of hot chocolate, but if there happens to be any Trader Joe’s sipping chocolate around, he always reaches for that. It isn’t quite as sweet as conventional hot chocolate and has a richer taste.
How do y’all like your hot chocolate?
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Yum! When I was pregnant with my second I drank cocoa with milk (and a little vanilla) every day for the calcium and protein. I don’t like plain milk or chocolate syrup milk but I’ll drink chocolate! We like the Abuelita Mexican Hot Chocolate too. Adding coffee to my hot chocolate is another thing I used to do.
My girls when they were children loved Abueita Mexican Hot Chocolate. It was so good!
I have some cleaning people who speak spanish and came from Guatemala and they gave me some Mexican Hot Chocolate that I am excited to try. I have always liked the sweet/salty combo and like chocolate drinks with salt on top.
At our church women’s Christmas luncheon we had a cocoa bar set up where I was introduced to Starbucks cocoa mix made with milk and it was really good. I like marshmallows in mine but at the chocolate bar there were peppermint sprinkles made for hot chocolate that I had never seen before that tasted yummy over the marshmallows. When don’t have milk Swiss Miss is always a good substitute.
Ellie I hit the post comment by accident before I put my name in but I’m the one who mentioned having Starbucks cocoa bar and trying peppermint sprinkles on my marshmallows for the first time.
Starbuck’s hot chocolate with whipped cream is my favourite, but I haven’t had that for like 20 years as I live where there are no Starbucks. Similar hot chocolate is available at some cafés around here, but it’s not quite the same. On the rare occasion I make it myself I use milk and cocoa powder and some sugar, sometimes with whipped cream. No marshmallows. We also have a Nescafé dolce gusto capsule machine which can make hot chocolate. We used it more 5-10 years ago than we do now, it’s also fairly good.
I like it made with milk and topped with mini-marshmallows. I add a slight drizzle of chocolate sauce to top.
I love Trader Joe’s sipping chocolate but I will definitely be trying your version soon! I am trying to cut down my children’s sugar intake and increase plant protein in 2024.
I love reading posts about your family’s recipes and nutrition. I have a growing family myself so I understand how important it is.
Oooh, great question! My husband recently had to go semi-dairy-free (meaning it’s better if he does, but we’re not being super strict about it). Anyway, I made him some special hot chocolate a couple months ago that was really yummy! Oat milk + cocoa + melted chocolate chips + pinch of cinnamon + vanilla + maple syrup. Came out very smooth and creamy-thick, and I’d definitely do it again!
We have a large family, so our recipe makes a lot!
Heat a gallon of milk, a bag of chocolate chips, and a can of sweet condensed milk till the chocolate is melted. Then top your individual cups with your favorite toppings: marshmallows, whip cream, chocolate drizzle, peppermint stick, etc. It’s rich, creamy and so delicious! You can also make it in a crockpot to keep it warm for a party or get-together. 😊