We had snow on Wednesday, and a snow day for the kids. They’re 9 and 11 now, so you’d think they could be outside for hours on end while I putter away inside, uninterrupted, but it never happens that way. With snack breaks and wardrobe malfunctions, there were too many distractions to get much accomplished. And when they came inside, they expected lunch (grilled cheese) and hot cocoa.

Most of the time we take the easy way out with the hot cocoa, boiling water and adding it to a packet of mix (with those little astronaut dehydrated marshmallows…you know what I’m talking about). But we were all out, so today they got the Real Deal. Which I do so infrequently, I needed to find a recipe for the right quantities.

It was so yummy I thought I’d share, just in case anyone else has forgotten what a real cup of hot chocolate tastes like. I admit, I had forgotten.

2 cups milk
3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa (I used Ghirardelli)
3 Tbsp sugar

Whisk ingredients together in a saucepan over medium-low heat until warm. If you want to, add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg (or both), then pour in mugs. Add marshmallows, a scoop of marshmallow cream, or a swirl of whipped cream, and garnish with a cinnamon stick or candy cane.

For really “hot” chocolate, stir in a dash of cayenne! What other ingredients do you add to your hot chocolate? Please share your own recipes and ideas!