Thursday, January 29, 2015

DIY Starbucks Hot Chocolate

OK, I admit it... I am also a hot chocolate addict, at least when it comes to Starbucks hot chocolate. You can keep your Timmies hot chocolate. Ick. But Starbucks... mmm... the best hot chocolate!

Now, since the beginning of January, I have drastically cut my Starbucks time - no weekday visits. I still go on the weekends, because I do love the ambiance at Starbucks. Which is fine. But the weekdays are like a desert for me. Sooo... I've bought some boxes of Starbucks hot chocolate - 8 packets to a box. Yummy... but still a bit of the pricey side.

Last night, I had a bit of a brainwave. If I can make DIY peanut butter... surely it must be possible to make DIY Starbucks hot chocolate! A bit of searching on the internet and... I am not the only one to have this brainwave! Three different sites all gave the same recipe... so here it is:

2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

So simple. Combine water, sugar and cocoa in a 16 oz microwave-safe glass measuring cup. Zap it in the microwave for 30 seconds, or until hot (depends on your microwave). Mix it well - you now have a mocha syrup. Add the milk to the syrup and zap it again in the microwave for 1 to 1.5 minutes, or until hot. Add that splash of vanilla extract and... voila... Starbucks hot chocolate. Or so they say. Reviewers of this recipe suggest adding 1/8 tsp salt or perhaps a dash of cinnamon or peppermint.

I have yet to try this recipe - going grocery shopping tomorrow and will report back.

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