April Showers Bring May...Showers?

In Oregon the rain is often.  It rains for most months out of the year, and two days away from June is no exception.  I went to sleep last night to the sound of rain pattering on the roof, and woke up to the same enchanting sound this morning.  I love the way rain sounds and looks, and when the weather is cold it gives me a reason to make one of my favorite, simple recipes; Hot Cocoa on the stove!  There is something just so wonderful, and heart-warming about a cozy, warm, mug of hot cocoa on a nippy day.  Making the cocoa on the stove is even better; it gives the drink an extra ounce of care and love, it makes it even more special.

Stove Top Hot Cocoa:

 *Makes 3 to 5 servings

                    

  Ingredients:                 

• 4 to 5 cups of milk (I use fat free, but it doesn't really matter; 1%, 2%, or whole milk makes for creamy dreamy hot cocoa)
• scant 2/3 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder (more or less depending on your chocolate preference)
• 1/2 cup sugar (I like sugar in the raw)
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup whipping cream, or heavy cream

**Optional Toppings: whipped cream, marshmallows, extra cinnamon, chocolate/white chocolate shavings 

   Directions:

1. Turn a burner on to med/high and place heavy bottomed pot on burner.
2. Add milk, cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla,cinnamon, and nutmeg to the pot; stir continually with a whisk, breaking up any clumps, and simmer ingredients for about 5 minutes, getting as close as possible to a boil, without actually boiling it.
3. Pour into mugs, filling them about 3/4 of the way up. 
4. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of whipping cream (heavy cream) to the mugs and stir.
5. Whipped cream, marshmallows, an extra sprinkling of cinnamon, and/or chocolate shavings can be added to top the drink off.
6. Serve as is, or with an accompaniment of fresh baked cookies (browned butter, or chocolate-peanut butter cookies are what I bake!)