Temperatures are dropping in Connecticut and when it starts getting cold, few things are better than a mug of homemade hot chocolate. My kiddos have the day off school due to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, plus – there is a snowstorm is forecasted for this week. I’m anticipating a lot of together time, and I’m looking for ways to keep my kiddos happy and cozy. Whipped Hot Chocolate is not only delicious, it’s fun to make too!

Up until a few years ago, I restricted how much chocolate we ate because I’d heard it all: Chocolate is good for you! Yay! Chocolate is bad for you. Boo. Now, the most recent reports are that chocolate, especially dark chocolate, actually has some health benefits according to this Telegraph article (if you want some great news about chocolate, this article is worth the read).

Whipped Hot Chocolate

It’s time to bring on the hot chocolate with zero guilt people! I came across the coolest little device that whips up the hot chocolate to a perfectly blended treat! Purchased at IKEA for only $2.79, this milk frother blends the hot chocolate ingredients and then whips the milk at the same time so you are left with a frothy top of hot chocolate, perfect for floating those mini marshmallows.

To use the milk frother, submerge it to the bottom of the mug of hot chocolate while it is still off. Turn it on and blend the ingredients for about 10 seconds. Then slowly bring it up to the top of the mug keeping the tiny whisk just below the surface of the hot chocolate until it starts to froth. When optimal frothiness has been achieved, turn it off (the trick is to keep it in the hot chocolate while it is turned on or it will splatter everywhere).

P.S. the ingredients you use make a big difference. I’ve found that the premixed packets are saccharine sweet. When you make your own hot chocolate you control the amount of sugar to your taste. I use whole organic milk, pure sugar and Ghiradelli Natural Unsweetened Cocoa and top with mini marshmallows. Yum.

To make:
1 cup of hot whole milk
2 tablespoons of Ghiradelli Natural Unsweetened Cocoa
1 tablespoons of pure sugar (or to taste)
Blend until frothy and top with mini-marshmallows and/or whipped cream (optional)