Winter's still here! While I'm a huge fan of the snow and cold, I'm also willing to bet that you can't wait to ditch the coats and mittens and relax for a while in the sun. To help cope, you might want to make a delicious, hot cup of cocoa. We all (maybe?) know how to stir up a cup of Swiss Miss, but here's my favorite recipe for rich, chocolatey homemade hot chocolate.

What you need:

Milk (2%, whole, or skim with a dash of half & half is best)

Unsweetened baking cocoa

Sugar

Flavorings, if desired

(anything from vanilla extract, to a mix of spices*, to peppermint Schnapps)

Directions:

Mix together two parts cocoa to one part sugar (for a single 6-10 oz. cup of hot chocolate, try a fourth cup cocoa plus 2 tablespoons sugar), and spices,* if you're using them. Pour a glass of milk into a mug and pop it in the microwave 'til hot (but not boiling!), or pour the milk in a saucepan (if you happen to have one in your room or are borrowing one) and heat until hot to the touch (but, again, not boiling!). Mix in the cocoa mixture once the milk is hot and add any flavorings you'd like. Enjoy!

* My favorite mix of spices: a little cinnamon, ginger and cayenne. Cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg is also a great combination, or better yet, come up with your own!