You definitely need to take a sip of this creamy chocolatey goodness every once in a while. And the good news is that a simple hot chocolate recipe is only a few moments away.

Benefits of chocolate

The best kinds of foods are the ones that aren’t just tasty, but also nutritious. If you have a sweet tooth, then you should consider chocolates as it’s brimming with loads of nutrients.

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According to Healthyeating, hot chocolate is made from shaved chocolate, cocoa powder or melted chocolate buds. The drink is usually mixed with sugar and some heated milk, but some people make use of hot water.

Since this treat is made mostly from chocolate, we can understand its health benefits by considering the nutrients contained in cocoa.

• Heart: Study shows that eating chocolate could help lower the risk of heart diseases.
• Body: If you lead an active lifestyle you may want to consider adding chocolate to your diet as it has been shown to help boost athletic performance, according to researchers.
• Brain: Did you know that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day can keep your brain sharp and reduce memory problems? Researchers came to this conclusion following a neurological study.

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Keep in mind, however, that moderation is key when it comes to chocolate consumption.

How to make hot chocolate at home

Now that you’re aware of these awesome benefits, it’s time to check out this simple recipe for making hot chocolate, courtesy of YouTube page Fifteen Spatulas.

What you’ll need:

• Sugar (one tablespoon).
• Whole milk (one cup).
• Bittersweet chocolate (two ounces)

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Process

Step 1: Place a saucepan on medium heat.

Step 2: Add the sugar.

Step 3: Add the milk to the pan.

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Step 4: Stir the mixture as it heats up to about 180 degrees Fahrenheit but make sure it doesn’t start boiling fully.

Step 5: While the milk heats up, chop the chocolate bar into small chunks which you’ll then pour into a bowl.

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Step 6: Microwave the chocolate in 30-second intervals until completely melted.

Step 7: Add the melted chocolate to your warm milk and whisk together until it’s well mixed.

Now you can enjoy your tasty drink.

Other alternatives

The great thing about making hot chocolate at home is that you have a few different options depending on your personal taste.

AllRecipes offers a really cool alternative which involves using cocoa instead of a bar of chocolate.

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Here, all you need to do is to add the cocoa and sugar into boiling water and allow it to simmer for a couple of minutes. Then add about 3 and a 1/2 cups of milk, heat until very hot but not boiling and you’re good to go.

Another alternative, as provided by TheKitchn, is to use both chocolate and cocoa powder. Whisk both together with some sugar in a saucepan, add some milk and begin heating up the combination. Keep stirring until everything is well combined but not boiling.

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As you can see from all these methods, making a cup of hot chocolate in the comfort of your home is super easy. The ingredients are readily available and you can add or adjust the recipe based on your needs. For instance, you can add some marshmallows, vanilla, honey, and so on to your specific taste.

So, it’s time to take charge of what you consume by creating your own special chocolate drink at home. You’ll be a pro in no time.