Homestyle Hot Cocoa

Growing up in snowy Canadian winters, my mom would always make my brothers and me hot cocoa after a night of tobogganing. When I got older - and had long since abandoned real cocoa for the instant variety - I had a craving one night for a more wholesome treat. Here's my recipe for a creamier, homestyle cup of cocoa. Perfect for those snowy winter nights!

• Preparation Time: 5 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 10 mins
• Calories: 332 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup white sugar
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 pinch salt
• ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup boiling water
• 3 cups milk
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 8 large marshmallows
• 1 cup half-and-half, divided

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and salt in a saucepan; stir in boiling water. Whisk until sugar is dissolved.

Step 2

Bring cocoa mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes; stir milk and 1/2 cup half-and-half into water mixture. Cook and stir just until hot, about 2 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in remaining half-and-half and vanilla extract.

Step 3

Divide cocoa into mugs, top with marshmallows, and serve.