Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate is the perfect drink for cold days. Creamy and comforting, it can be made with cocoa powder, pure cocoa, or melted chocolate. The homemade version is far superior to instant mixes.
⏱️ Cooking Time: 8 minutes
🥘 Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (to thicken)
- 1 pinch of cinnamon (optional)
- Whipped cream for serving (optional)
👨🍳 How to Make
- 1
Dissolve cocoa and sugar in 2 tablespoons of cold milk to form a paste.
- 2
Dissolve cornstarch in a little more cold milk.
- 3
In a saucepan, heat remaining milk over medium heat.
- 4
When milk is hot (not boiling), add the cocoa paste.
- 5
Add the dissolved cornstarch.
- 6
Stir constantly over medium heat for 5-8 minutes until thickened.
- 7
Add cinnamon if desired.
- 8
Serve hot with whipped cream or marshmallows.
🔄 Cooking Variations
| Method | Time | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real chocolate hot cocoa | 10 min | Melt 100g chopped chocolate in 2 cups hot milk. More intense and creamier result. | |
| Mexican hot chocolate | 10 min | Add cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and vanilla to hot chocolate. Spicy and unique flavor. |
💡 Tips
- ✦ Dissolving cocoa in cold milk first prevents lumps.
- ✦ Cornstarch is the secret to a creamy, thick texture.
- ✦ Do not let it boil or the milk will curdle.
- ✦ For a more intense version, use chopped semi-sweet chocolate melted in the milk instead of cocoa powder.
🧠 Did You Know?
Hot chocolate was the drink of Aztec kings, made with cocoa, chili, and spices - it was consumed cold and bitter.
Europeans added sugar and milk to hot chocolate in the 17th century, creating the version we know today.
🥗 Nutrition Info
One cup of hot chocolate (250ml) with whole milk contains about 200 kcal, 28g of carbohydrates, 7g of protein, and 7g of fat. Cocoa is a source of magnesium and antioxidants.