Nothing beats a warm and comforting cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter's day. It's the perfect drink to cozy up with, whether you're reading a book, watching a movie, or simply enjoying some time alone. But with so many recipes out there, it can be hard to know which one to choose. Look no further! In this article, we'll be sharing our favorite hot chocolate recipe. It's rich, creamy, and oh-so-delicious. Plus, it's easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk - 1/2 cup heavy cream - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract - Pinch of salt - Whipped cream (optional) - Mini marshmallows (optional)
Milk and Cream
The key to a rich and creamy hot chocolate is using whole milk and heavy cream. You could use lower-fat milk, but it won't be as decadent. If you're lactose intolerant, you could use a non-dairy milk like almond or soy milk instead.
Sugar and Cocoa Powder
To sweeten the hot chocolate, we're using granulated sugar. You could use brown sugar or honey as well, but we prefer the taste of granulated sugar. For the chocolate flavor, we're using unsweetened cocoa powder. Make sure you use unsweetened cocoa powder, not hot chocolate mix, which has added sugar and other ingredients.
Vanilla Extract and Salt
Adding a splash of vanilla extract gives the hot chocolate a warm, cozy flavor. And a pinch of salt brings out the chocolate flavor even more.
Whipped Cream and Marshmallows
For an extra indulgent treat, top your hot chocolate with whipped cream and mini marshmallows. If you don't have mini marshmallows, you could use regular-sized marshmallows and cut them into smaller pieces.
Instructions
1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt. 2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk continuously until the mixture comes to a simmer. 3. Once the mixture is simmering, reduce the heat to low and continue whisking for 2-3 minutes until the hot chocolate is smooth and creamy. 4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the hot chocolate into two mugs. 5. Top with whipped cream and mini marshmallows if desired.
Nutrition
This recipe makes two servings. Here's the nutritional information per serving: - Calories: 435 - Fat: 25g - Saturated Fat: 16g - Cholesterol: 92mg - Sodium: 113mg - Carbohydrates: 47g - Fiber: 3g - Sugar: 41g - Protein: 9g
Calories and Fat
As you can see, this hot chocolate recipe is not exactly low in calories or fat. But it's a treat, not an everyday drink. If you're watching your calorie intake, you could use lower-fat milk or skip the whipped cream and marshmallows.
Fiber and Protein
Surprisingly, this hot chocolate recipe does have a bit of fiber and protein thanks to the cocoa powder and milk. It's not a significant amount, but every little bit counts.
Sugar
The biggest source of calories in this recipe is the sugar. If you're trying to cut back on sugar, you could use a sugar substitute like Stevia or Splenda instead. Just be aware that the taste might be slightly different.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our hot chocolate recipe! It's the perfect drink to warm you up on a cold winter's day. And with just a few simple ingredients, it's easy to make at home. So go ahead and indulge a little – you deserve it!