Warm Cocoa Drinks to Cozy Up to in the Morning

If you're looking for some chocolate inspiration on a cool morning or if you want to do something different while you're off of work, starting the morning with a warm cocoa drink is a great way to do it. You don't have to live in a freezing cold winter climate to enjoy a hot chocolate beverage for breakfast. Even summer air conditioning in your Cypress, TX apartment can have you longing for extra warmth.

The Best Cocoa Recipe

Cocoa is best when made from milk or cream, even though it generally has more calories that way. But if you need a rich boost, skipping powdered mixes that you add water to is the first thing to do. With a microwave, heating milk is easy. Check your model's instructions online to find the right amount of time to heat milk. Using cream instead of milk will give you a rich, satisfying cocoa drink. Then add your favorite chocolate in powdered or bar form. Mix it into the warm cream until it melts. It should melt just fine without heating it more in the microwave.

If you prefer using a stovetop to heat milk or cream, you know you have overheated it if it starts to form a skin on top. Heating milk (and chocolate) is best to do slowly or in short 15-second increments in the microwave if you aren't sure of the right amount of time.

Rich Hot Chocolate

from Taste of Home

2/3 cup Heavy whipping cream

1 cup 2% Milk

4 oz. Dark chocolate candy bar, chopped

3 T sugar

Vanilla rum (to taste), optional

Sweetened heavy whipping cream

Heat cream, milk chocolate, and sugar in a saucepan (or in the microwave) over medium heat. Stir consistently while heating. When it starts to simmer, remove from heat. Pour into the mug and add rum, if desired. Top with whipped cream and enjoy.

Alternatives:

Hazelnut – Replace chocolate with Nutella and rum with Frangelico. If it's too sweet, reduce or eliminate sugar.

Dairy Free – Replace milk and cream with vanilla almond milk. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Top with marshmallows instead of whipped cream.

Peppermint – Add crushed candy canes to taste (about a tablespoon per cup).

Come up with your own flavors for warm cocoa and test them out on your friends and family while you're on vacation in your Cypress, TX apartment. Contact us if you want a tour of our model apartments.