It's been gloomy and cold in LA, like 50 degrees (I know, I know), but I absolutely love it. I decided it was the perfect time to make some hot cocoa and help Luna write her "letter" to Santa. It was really just a lot of squiggly lines. Each squiggle probably translates to an LOL doll, but note to Santa: we're at our max capacity.
Anyways, if you haven't made hot cocoa on the stove top, it's a real game changer! Luna likes it in a big cup and will slowly sip it from a spoon (don't ask, it's her thing). But then again, I drink all my liquids by putting my finger over the top of the straw and adding drips to my mouth so I guess like mother, like daughter. Neither of us will ever say "no" to hot chocolate either. My favorite is from this store called Angelina in Paris - it is heaaaven. It's the richest, creamiest hot cocoa you'll ever have.
Credit: @anneemmanuellethion
But this time around, I wanted that mom-made-me-hot-cocoa-on-a-rainy-day version so I made the below recipe. I found the cereal marshmallows on Amazon and it's SO GOOD!
To make it a bit more fun for the adults, I also made a boozy salty cream to put on top. And yes, adults can still add in the cereal marshmallows.
For the hot cocoa:
Serves 2
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2 cups whole milk
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2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
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2 tablespoons sugar
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½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Combine the milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan and warm over medium heat, whisking, until the cocoa and sugar has dissolved and the cocoa is steaming slightly. Top with marshmallows.
For the boozy whipped topping:
Makes 1 cup / Serves 2
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½ cup heavy whipping cream
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1 tablespoon dark rum (I used Mount Gay Black Barrel)
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½ teaspoon Maldon sea salt
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3 tablespoons confectioners sugar
Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl or stand mixer and beat with a whisk (or whisk attachment) until soft peaks form. Dollop on top of the hot cocoa and top with cereal ma rshmallows.
