Serving: 2

Time: 10-15 minutes

Ingredients:

Hot Chocolate

• 2 cups 2% milk or milk alternative
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp granulated brown sugar
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips (recommend semi-sweet)
• 1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp of instant expresso or coffee (optional)

1. In a small saucepan, combine milk, cocoa powder, instant espresso/coffee powder, and sugar.
2. Heat over medium heat and whisk frequently.
3. Do not boil.
4. Once warmed, add chocolate chips and melt until evenly dispersed into the milk.
5. Once combined, whisk in vanilla extract, and pour into mug.
6. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream and drizzle some homemade chocolate syrup.

Chocolate Syrup

• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 tsp butter
• 3/4 tsp vanilla extract

1. In a cold saucepan, whisk together the cocoa and the sugar.
2. Whisk until all lumps are gone and it is completely smooth.
3. Next, add salt and water.
4. Turn on stove to medium heat and bring mixture to a soft boil.
5. Reduce heat to a simmer, and continue to stir.
6. After 30 seconds, remove the chocolate sauce from the heat.
7. Add pat of butter. This will create a more silky finish to the chocolate sauce.
8. Let the mixture cool and then add the vanilla extract.
9. Pour chocolate sauce into a container and refrigerate until needed.

Whipped Cream

• 1/2 cup of cold heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
• 1 tbsp confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1. To make the whipped cream, whisk together the cold heavy cream, confectioner’s sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form in a medium size bowl.
2. This can take up to 5-10 minutes.

Other Optional Toppings

• Marshmallow
• Caramel sauce
• Cocoa powder