The Creamiest, Dreamiest Hot Cocoa – With a Snowman Buddy!
Hot Cocoa Recipe by Jeanie Bean found on allrecipes.com
Snowman Buddy Recipe found on itsalwaysautumn.com
With the first hints of winter sneaking into the Brazos Valley, this creamy hot cocoa recipe is the perfect beverage to kick-off the holiday season! Have fun with friends and family customizing your cocoa and building this adorable snowman buddy!
Hot Cocoa Ingredients:
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 or 1/2 cup white sugar (cut from 3/4 cup)
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup half-and-half cream
Optional: Add whipped cream to the top of the beverage, then sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or cocoa powder over each cup
Instructions: Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn’t scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature. (Prep time: 2 minutes, Cook time: 5 minutes, Ready in 7 Minutes)
Snowman shopping list:
Marshmallows
Pretzel sticks
Candy corn
Mini Chocolate Chips
Extra long toothpicks (4 inches)
Instructions: Slide 3 marshmallows on the toothpick to create the snowman’s body. Trim pointy toothpick ends with scissors. Use toothpick to poke holes for the arms, legs, buttons, and nose for easy insertion. Trim the pretzels (arms and legs) so they aren’t too long, but still allows the snowman to hang on edges of cup or mug. Twist while inserting pretzels in marshmallow for arms/legs; candy corn for nose; and mini chocolate chips for buttons. Place some mini chocolate chips in a sandwich bag, melt in microwave (15-30 seconds). Snip off corner of bag and pipe the chocolate to make eyes and mouth. Garnish hot cocoa with these cuties and REMOVE TOOTHPICKS BEFORE CONSUMPTION!