Perfecting my homemade hot chocolate recipe is a personal mission. Prepackaged mixes filled with preservatives, GMO and any other unrecognizable ingredient listed makes me cringe. Yuck.
Another reason I refuse to purchase hot chocolate mixes? It’s entirely too simple to prepare using all the things you probably have on hand right now – milk, sugar and cocoa powder. I’m going old school to create the best homemade hot chocolate recipe with a few special touches.
Thanks to CVS for sending me a few dark chocolate nutritional benefits are higher.
When buying dark chocolate and using in recipes, go for 70% or higher cocoa content. The richness of the chocolate shines through and isn’t overpowered by sugar and milk. This is especially important when preparing homemade hot chocolate. You’ve already got the milk and sugar and just need the dark chocolate to enhance the flavor.
Another special touch is to add instant espresso. Of course omit when preparing for the kiddos. Cheers!
- 2½ cups whole milk
- 4 ounces Gold Emblem Select Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa
- 2 tablespoons organic cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso or coffee powder (Optional)
- Fresh whipped cream
- Dash of salt
- Pour milk in a saucepan and heat on medium heat to just below the simmering point.
- Reduce to low heat and add chocolate and cocoa powder whisking lightly.
- When the chocolate is melted, add the sugar, vanilla extract, and espresso and whisk vigorously.
- Pour hot chocolate into festive mug and top with whipped cream.
- Serve immediately!
CVS Gold Emblem is available exclusively at CVS/pharmacy offering more than 250 products like nuts, trail mixes, chips, pretzels, dried fruits, candies, cookies, spices, juices, condiments, baking essentials and breakfast bars. Not only is CVS your one-stop shop you can save even more money through the CVS ExtraCare Loyalty program.
What’s your secret to preparing the best homemade hot chocolate?
Recipe adapted from Ina Garten
Disclosure: I’m proud to partner with CVS/pharmacy for the Gold Emblem and Total Home Prep for Holiday Entertaining campaign. I am being sponsored to help lead this campaign, but all opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers.
