The Bean is somewhat of a hot chocolate connoisseur. My girl has been enjoying warm, rich hot chocolate since she was a wee one. When my girl was off her beloved bottle, she would drink warm chocolate milk in her sippy cup. When she was tiny, we used Ovaltine because it was high in vitamins. Once she got a bit bigger, she graduated to my homemade recipe for hot chocolate as a special treat.
Since then, she has tried hot cocoa from every small coffee shop, franchise, and friend’s kitchen we have enjoyed visiting. Her favorite recipe included both unsweetened cocoa powder and milk chocolate. The perfect hot cocoa is always made from rich, creamy whole milk. My little bean prefers her milk to come from Lone Oak Farm. However, in a pinch, she will drink goat’s milk.
Recently, I made the switch to using only goat’s milk for cooking and drinking. I know this may come as a shock, but we have continued to buy cow’s milk from Lone Oak because my child prefers it. However, goat’s milk is much easier to digest and has excellent health benefits, and we always have it on hand. I know my girls are treated with love and care, their little ones are allowed to grow and nurse naturally with their mamas, and nobody is sold off for veal in a cruel industry where both mother and baby are exploited. Don’t get me wrong, I know of wonderful local families that treat their dairy cows well and with care. However, as a whole, the huge agri-businesses use animals as a soulless commodity and exploit both cow and calf. I buy from Lone Oak because I know the Simpsons treat their cows with care and compassion. This is why I preach to know your farmers, understand their practices, and know where and how your food is raised. We need to support our small local farmers and family farms. Okay, lecture over.
With the cold winter weather settling in, I thought today would be a good day to share The Bean’s favorite hot chocolate recipe. This is a warm, cozy drink to make on a cold, blustery day after an afternoon of sled riding or to snuggle in and read a book by the fireplace. We set up a hot cocoa bar in years past when The Bean and her friends were playing in the snow. One can include crushed peppermint candies or candy canes as stirring sticks, cinnamon to sprinkle on top, chocolate curls, and, of course, whipped cream. In our house, frozen whipped topping is unacceptable; I must whip up heavy whipping cream with a bit of vanilla and sugar to keep my hot chocolate snob happy. However, in a pinch, Reddi-Whip will do.
As yet another winter storm makes its way toward us this weekend, I gently suggest making homemade hot chocolate with all the fixings for a warm, cozy winter treat. Once you try this, you won’t be satisfied with store-bought mixes ever again. This recipe is Bean approved.
The Bean’s Favorite Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
4 Cups Milk (We prefer whole milk, but use what you prefer)
¼ Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
¼ Cup Granulated Sugar
½ Cup Milk Chocolate Chips or a Milk Chocolate Bar, Chopped
½ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract ( I prefer Sweet Home Vanilla’s Vanilla Extract)
Directions:
In a heavy saucepan, warm the milk, but do not boil.
Whisk in all ingredients, stirring constantly.
When the chocolate is melted, pour it into two mugs and top with whipped cream, marshmallows, cinnamon, cocoa powder, or chopped chocolate. Use your imagination and have fun.
Snuggle up under your favorite blanket, read a good book, watch a good movie, or listen to relaxing music and enjoy.
On this blustery, cold Friday, stay safe, be smart, enjoy homemade, delicious food, support local family farms, and keep washing your hands.