Cinnamon and Spice Hot Cocoa

During the Christmas season a couple of years ago, I stumbled across some cookies at Trader Joes called Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies. The combination of cinnamon, cocoa and chile powder was one I had never tried before. Soon after that, I was able to taste an actual Mexican hot chocolate, and I've been trying to recreate those flavors ever since. Now I have.

This is great hot chocolate recipe. I'm so used to drinking the kind made out of the hot cocoa mix (where you add hot water and dump a packet of hot cocoa mix) that I forget how good hot cocoa can be with real milk. This is perfect on a cold winter's afternoon. The Ancho chile powder give this extra bit of warmth while your drinking it. I was able to satisfy my chocolate craving without eating too much or it having too much calories (only 206). The recipe below is to make 4 serving, but I cut it in half to only make 2.

Cinnamon and Spice Hot Cocoa

from Everyday Food, January/February 2011

Serves 4

4 cups skim milk

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder

coarse salt

marshmallows (optional), for serving

In a medium pot, whisk together milk, cocoa powder, sugar, cinnamon, chile powder, and pinch of salt over medium-high until combined. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Pour cocoa into four mugs and serve immediately with marshmallows if desired.