Hot Cocoa (Soy, Fish, Nut, Wheat and Egg-Free)

This is a recipe I got on the back of a can of Spartan Cocoa Powder that I've modified slightly.  It is very good and really easy. :)  It's perfect on the cold days when you want something warm and comforting.

Please note that this recipe is only soy-free if you use all soy-free ingredients, and is fish, nut, egg and wheat-free.

Hot Cocoa topped with Marshmallow Fluff and sprinkled with cinnamon.

Hot Cocoa

4 1/2 Cups milk (divided)

1/2 Cup white sugar

1/2 Cup cocoa powder (baking kind)

1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon vanilla

1. Simmer 1/2 Cup of the milk, sugar, cocoa powder and salt in a medium saucepan over low-medium to medium heat, stirring constantly (preferably with a whisk), until all the lumps are dissolved (about 3 minutes). (Note: It is best to stir the dry ingredients together first THEN add the milk, giving it a good stir to get it all well blended BEFORE turning on the burner.)

2. Add the remaining milk to the saucepan, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a simmer (about 5 minutes).

3. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla just before serving.

This recipe yields five 8 oz. (1 Cup) servings.

It's FANTASTIC as is, but you can certainly top it with Marshmallow Fluff (that brand is soy-free but not egg-free), homemade sweetened whipped cream, cinnamon, cocoa, candy cane pieces (Bob's is soy-free) or any and all of the above if you're so inclined! :)

Fun Frothy Top: This is a neat trick I learned from my friend Heidi over at One Creative Mommy. To get a nice frothy top, add the mixture (before adding toppings and such, of course) to the blender and blend for a few seconds. It's genius and works like a charm! Just be careful not to fill your blender more than 1/2 way or it tends to bubble over (and you don't want to know how I know that! LOL :) ).

(This recipe was originally posted on my original site, Natural and Free.)