Recipes and Cooking Hot Cocoa 4.2 (6) Add your rating & review Customize this big-batch Hot Cocoa recipe with your favorite mix-ins. For adults, try Irish cream liqueur or instant espresso. For kids, opt for cinnamon or peppermint extract. By BHG Test Kitchen BHG Test Kitchen The Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen has been in continuous operation for nearly 100 years, developing and testing practical, reliable recipes that readers can enjoy at home. The Test Kitchen team includes culinary specialists, food stylists, registered and licensed nutritionists, and other experts with Bachelor of Science degrees in food science, food and nutrition, or culinary arts. Together, the team tests more than 2,500 recipes, produces more than 2,500 food images, and creates more than 1,000 food videos each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on February 23, 2012 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Andy Lyons Total Time: 20 mins Servings: 4 Jump to Nutrition Facts Ingredients ⅓ cup sugar ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 4 cup half-and-half, light cream, or whole milk 1 teaspoon vanilla Tiny marshmallows (optional) Directions In a medium saucepan combine sugar and cocoa powder. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of the half-and-half. Cook and stir over medium-low heat just until mixture comes to boiling. Gradually whisk in the remaining 3 cups half-and-half. Heat through but do not boil. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. If desired, top with marshmallows. Spiced Mexican Hot Cocoa: Prepare as directed, except stir 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon into the sugar mixture. Add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract with the vanilla. Mocha Hot Cocoa: Prepare as directed, except stir 1 tablespoon instant espresso coffee powder or instant coffee crystals into the sugar mixture. Irish Hot Cocoa: Prepare as directed, except add 1/4 cup Irish cream liqueur with the vanilla. Minted Hot Cocoa: Prepare as directed, except add 1/4 cup peppermint schnapps or 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract with the vanilla. Rate it Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 456 Calories 29g Fat 37g Carbs 14g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 4 Calories 456 % Daily Value * Total Fat 29g 37% Saturated Fat 17g 85% Cholesterol 89mg 30% Sodium 98mg 4% Total Carbohydrate 37g 13% Protein 14g Calcium 333.2mg 26% Iron 1.1mg 6% Potassium 314mg 7% *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.