Most folks think you are likely to find the best hot chocolate in Maine, Vermont, North Dakota, Wisconsin and other northern snow belt states with extremely long and severe winters. Or, they think of Canadians drinking hot chocolate as the watch pond hockey, as they ice fish, or as they hunt. Some people think the best hot chocolate is found in countries like Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland, where they are rightfully known for the quality of their chocolate products.
But, when it comes to food and drink, never underestimate the Cajuns of South Louisiana. They could make your car or your shoes taste good. South Louisiana doesn't get much cold weather or snow, but the folks there like their hot chocolate, especially at holiday time.
In fact, my very favorite hot chocolate recipe belongs to a very busy college administrator, wife, and mother who grew up in Abbeville, Louisiana, where nearly everyone is an accomplished cook, including the men and even some teenagers. Here is Amanda's recipe. It's simple but delicious.
Begin by putting ten cups of dry powdered milk into a large bowl. As you can see, Amanda makes large quantities so she can give lots away to friends. When your friends taste the hot chocolate you make with this recipe, they'll want some too. And, they will probably want the recipe too.
Add two and a half cups of Coffee-Mate or an equivalent product.
Fold in eighteen ounces of cocoa mix. Amanda recommends uses Nestle's. There are lots of good brands of cocoa, I'm sure, but try Nestle's first and you will probably never want to make a switch.
Finally, dump in a cup and a quarter of powdered sugar and mix all the ingredients together thoroughly. Want to lower the calories? Got a diabetic in your family? If so you can add an artificial sweetener like Splenda.
When the mixture is completed, add two heaping teaspoons to a cup of hot water to try it, and add a bit more of any ingredient to suit your taste. It is great as is, but I generally add a bit more cocoa to the mix and whipped cream or a similar topping to the finished product.
Whether you make a last minute ingredient adjustment or not, you'll love this recipe. Your friends and family will too.
But, when it comes to food and drink, never underestimate the Cajuns of South Louisiana. They could make your car or your shoes taste good. South Louisiana doesn't get much cold weather or snow, but the folks there like their hot chocolate, especially at holiday time.
In fact, my very favorite hot chocolate recipe belongs to a very busy college administrator, wife, and mother who grew up in Abbeville, Louisiana, where nearly everyone is an accomplished cook, including the men and even some teenagers. Here is Amanda's recipe. It's simple but delicious.
Begin by putting ten cups of dry powdered milk into a large bowl. As you can see, Amanda makes large quantities so she can give lots away to friends. When your friends taste the hot chocolate you make with this recipe, they'll want some too. And, they will probably want the recipe too.
Add two and a half cups of Coffee-Mate or an equivalent product.
Fold in eighteen ounces of cocoa mix. Amanda recommends uses Nestle's. There are lots of good brands of cocoa, I'm sure, but try Nestle's first and you will probably never want to make a switch.
Finally, dump in a cup and a quarter of powdered sugar and mix all the ingredients together thoroughly. Want to lower the calories? Got a diabetic in your family? If so you can add an artificial sweetener like Splenda.
When the mixture is completed, add two heaping teaspoons to a cup of hot water to try it, and add a bit more of any ingredient to suit your taste. It is great as is, but I generally add a bit more cocoa to the mix and whipped cream or a similar topping to the finished product.
Whether you make a last minute ingredient adjustment or not, you'll love this recipe. Your friends and family will too.
About the Author:
Betty Ignante is currently collecting recipes for a new website. In addition to cooking and home decorating, her interests include elementary education, online college degree programs, and online colleges with accelerated degree options.