Peppermint Hot Chocolate

  Nothing is better than having hot chocolate on a cold night, especially on Christmas Eve.  Try changing it up just a bit, making it even better this Christmas Eve by adding in one of the many candy candy canes you are sure to have around your home.  Add 2-3 large marshmallows or a handful of small ones to make it a little creamier.
  The packets of hot chocolate are wonderful and easy, but my favorite has always been the hot chocolate my mom makes from scratch.  It is also very easy and so delicious.

Hot Chocolate

1/2 C. Sugar                                                          1/4 C. Cocoa                                                     

1/3 C. Hot Water                                                   Dash of Salt (I don't ever add)

3/4 tsp Vanilla                                                        4 Cups Milk

 Combine all of these in a large cooking pot and bring to a boil.  Stir and keep boiling for 2 minutes.  Add 4 C. Milk and 3/4 tsp. Vanilla.  Heat it through and serve when hot.  Spice it up by adding marshmallows, whipping cream, or a candy cane.  If you are serving more than 4 people, you will want to double or triple this and add more like a gallon of milk.  

**Suggestion for leftover hot chocolate if you use a gallon of milk.  Just put the remaining hot chocolate back into the gallon, refrigerate, and you will be able to warm it up and have it again in the morning.  It stores and reheats really nicely.

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