Simple hot chocolate

By Robert A. Cronkleton

The Kansas City Star

Growing up, my mother always encouraged her children to cook. So when I found a recipe for hot chocolate on the side of the Hershey’s Cocoa can, it was easy to convince her to let me give it a try.

What I discovered was that hot chocolate doesn’t have to come from an envelope.

FAVORITE HOT COCOA Makes 4 to 6 servings

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Dash of salt

1/3 cup hot water

4 cups milk

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whipped cream or marshmallows

Mix sugar, cocoa powder, salt and water in a sauce pan. Stir constantly over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil (about 2 minutes.) Stir in milk and heat. Bring the hot chocolate to the desired temperature but do not boil. Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract. Divide into mugs and top with whipped cream or marshmallows.

PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE HOT COCOA

Makes 1 serving

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Dash salt

1 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whipped cream or marshmallows (optional)

Mix sugar, cocoa powder and salt into large mug. In separate microwave-safe container, heat on high for 1 to 1 minutes or until very hot. Carefully and gradually add milk to dry mixture. Stir well. Add vanilla extract. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows.