Old Fashioned Hot Chocolate

Now that it’s turned cold and winter is upon us, a homemade cup of hot chocolate would really hit the spot.

When I was a kid growing up on our farm, before there were such things as instant cocoa drink mixes, this is how my mother made hot chocolate.

1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
dash of salt
1 1/2 cups water
4 cups milk
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in a saucepan. Gradually stir in water. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly, and boil for a couple of minutes. Gradually stir in the milk. Heat to almost boiling but do not boil. Stir in the vanilla.

Beat with a hand beater before serving.

If a sweet drink is desired, stir in another teaspoon of sugar after it has been poured into a cup.