I’m a hot cocoa snob. (This probably won’t come as much of a surprise.) I don’t bother with most store bought hot cocoa mixes because they don’t hold a candle to homemade hot cocoa. This quick recipe, though, does not disappoint especially with homemade whipped cream.

The Best Homemade Hot Cocoa
(Serves three.)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 Tablespoons cocoa powder
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
Pinch salt
3 cups milk (I won’t judge you if you substitute half and half!)
Semi-sweet baking chocolate bar for shaving
Freshly whipped cream, recipe follows

1) Whisk together first four ingredients. In a medium sauce pan, heat milk (or half and half if you’re feeling decadent) until steaming but not boiling. This should only take a few minutes. Whisk in cocoa mixture.

2) Remove from heat. Carefully pour into mugs. Top with freshly whipped cream. Use a vegetable peeler to top with shaved chocolate.  Enjoy!

Pro Tip: Double or triple the first four ingredients and keep in a jar in your pantry. Just add a couple tablespoons to heated milk and enjoy! This would also make a great holiday gift.

Freshly Whipped Cream
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup powder sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract 

1) Beat whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.

Tip: Add ground cinnamon to taste if you really want to get fancy! Just a shake or two does the trick.

Stay warm,

The Rose Table
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