Gingerbread Hot Cocoa

Now that the weather is colder, we really enjoy having hot drinks. One of our favorite things to enjoy is hot cocoa. Part of what we like it so much is because the possibilities for flavors are endless. Which one we love a lot? Gingerbread, probably because it gets us in the mood for the holidays.

​The memories go back to the smell of cookies being baking in the oven as we were watching movies at my grandma's house. Gingerbread was one of those flavors that was reserved for the holidays and we have kept the tradition alive with the generations. It is time to now teach my son to learn how to make this simple recipe, so he can pass it to his family when he is an adult.

Ingredients

• 4 cups 2% milk
  
• ¼ cup honey
  
• 1 Tbsp. molasses
  
• ½ cup cocoa powder
  
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
  
• ½ tsp ground allspice
  
• ½ tsp. ground ginger
  
• ⅛ tsp. ground cloves
  
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  
• 1 cup whipped cream
  

Preparation

1. In a medium saucepan and add all of the ingredients.
   
2. Stir to combine.
   
3. Place the saucepan over high heat.
   
4. Cook until beginning to boil, reduce the heat to low.
   
5. Stir occasionally.
   
6. Pour into the mugs.
   
7. Top with whipped cream
   

It is time to gather the family, make some cookies as well to enjoy with your hot cocoa. It you want to take it an extra notch, you can also sprinkle with peppermint candy to give it a double holiday taste twist.

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