Warning: I am about to whine about my lack of coffee drinking!  I miss my coffee!  I have not had a pure cup of coffee since March and will not have another for at least another six months.  I promised my husband no coffee during pregnancy and breastfeeding (caffeine).  I have had chocolate and soda, but only after doing some research about the amount of caffeine in cocoa and sodas.

A while back I found a recipe in the newspaper for homemade hot cocoa.  I cut out and kept the recipe to use because I don’t like all the stuff they put in store-bought hot cocoa.  Cocoa is so good, but when I read the ingredient list it bothers me.  Also, I didn’t drink hot cocoa too often (only with my daughter in the winter) because I always had my coffee.  When I did drink hot cocoa, I ended up feeling bloated, tired, and I had a weird taste in my mouth.  It made me wonder if the ingredients weren’t making feel crappy.  I thought I would try this more natural hot cocoa recipe.

In March of this year, 2013, I was missing my coffee.  I found my natural hot cocoa recipe and decided to give it a try.  I made a cup and loved it!  I was so excited because I really loved this homemade, natural cocoa and thought my daughter would too.  I made her a cup of the hot cocoa.  She did NOT like it. Not at all. It tastes “weird” she said.  Ugh!! 🙁

Well, I really love this stuff and had to have a cup this morning.  Maybe you will like it too.  Here is the recipe I have been using:

Homemade Hot Cocoa

• 1 cup Milk
• pinch of salt
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1-1/2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder (70% or more)

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a small sauce pan and whisk.  Heat gently over low or medium-low heat (do not boil).  Heat and whisk until hot cocoa begins to steam.  Pour into a mug.  Enjoy!

For greater convenience, you can make up a batch of the dry ingredients in an air-tight container to add to hot milk from the microwave:

Combine:

• 3-1/2 cups sugar
• 2-1/4 cups cocoa
• 1 Tbls. salt

Directions:

Heat 1 cup of milk in microwave until steaming (about 60-90 seconds).  Add 2 Tablespoons of the cocoa mix and stir.

If you make this recipe, how do you like it?  Do you have a favorite healthy hot cocoa recipe?

Have a great Thursday!

Missie S.