THE BEST HOT COCOA RECIPE EVER

Every year that I’ve taught (I think-maybe I missed one or two of the early years) I’ve made homemade hot cocoa for my students. It’s usually during a week full of super fun Christmas crafts, movies, programs, and excitement. But this year I am teaching 3rd grade and the festivities were a bit different than they have been in the past. However, I still wanted to make them hot cocoa that didn’t come in powder form in a packet. (Not knocking that stuff either. It’s not so bad!)

Planning Ahead

I have 42 students that I had to prepare for, so I doubled the recipe I used. Turns out doubling the recipe is too much liquid to fit into my slow cooker. So, I used a large pot and made it on the stove the night before. It cooled a bit and I funneled it into a gallon jug and a 64 oz. Hydroflask. (These things are seriously so wonderful. I use the 32 oz. bottle for water every single day.)

When I got to school I immediately put some in the slow cooker and somehow ended up looking like this…Yep, wore the chocolate splatter all day from before 7:30am until about 4:30pm.

I serve it to the students in these small styrofoam cups with marshmallows. This size cup is really big enough for them. The cocoa is pretty rich, and they are always satisfied with a small amount as opposed to a full mug. I ended up with a little left over and was able to enjoy a few cups at home. That full mug at the top of the post was WAY too much. I think I made it through half before I had to pour out the rest. It’s very rich and sweet.

I reheat it either on the stove, stirring regularly or in the microwave in 30 second increments. It still tastes pretty delicious a few days later.

The Recipe

2 cups heavy cream

2 cups milk chocolate chips

6 cups of whole milk

1 tsp vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker (or a pot on the stove on low heat). Stir together and cook on low until chocolate is melted. Stir often to help dissolve the chocolate chips and prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the slow cooker. Ladle the finished product into your favorite mug, top with marshmallows, wait to cool a bit, then enjoy!

*You can just use 1.5 cups heavy cream and a 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk to make it a tad richer if you’d like. Yum!

It’s so delightful and sure to be a crowd pleaser  with your family this Christmas.

Cheers, y’all!

Elizabeth