Whiteley Creek Homestead

No need to lie on my back and look for familiar shapes in the clouds. I saw them in my hot cocoa. Do you see a duck? I see a duck… two eyes where the foam has separated and the marshmallow is its beak. Today, my mug of hot cocoa was smiling back at me. I didn't plan it that way. I swear. It was just there.

Hot Cocoa with Maple Syrup

For two servings, the ingredient amounts are easy to remember. 2-2-2

2 cups milk

2 tbsp baking cocoa powder or cacao powder (raw, unprocessed cocoa powder)

2 tbsp maple syrup

Mix cocoa powder with a touch of water in a saucepan. How much water? Add enough to create a thick syrupy consistency. Stir over low heat just until combined. Whisk milk into the cocoa/water mixture and heat to a comfortable sipping temperature. Don’t overheat. Stir in maple syrup. Float a natural marshmallow on top. Sip, smile, and say "aaaaah."