Recipe: "Instant" Hot Cocoa (Microwave)

I like hot cocoa, but I don't like the amount of effort which goes into making it on the stove. On the other hand, I like the speed of instant cocoa, but I never found it to hold up to the traditional recipes (chalky, poor flavour, or both). Until now. Below is my recipe for making smooth hot cocoa in the microwave.

YUM!

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces of milk;
• 15 grams of cocoa powder (I prefer Camino Dutch-Processed);
• 10 grams of cane sugar (I prefer PC Organics); and
• 1/4 teaspoon of natural vanilla extract (I prefer Frontier Co-op Simply Organic).

Directions:

1. Heat the milk in a Pyrex measuring cup in the microwave for one minute;
2. Use a fork to whisk the dry ingredients, vanilla extract, and 2 ounces of milk in your mug;
3. Heat the mug and contents in the microwave until it begins to boil and foam (generally between 30 seconds and one minute);
4. Whisk the remaining milk with the mixture in the mug; and
5. Heat the cocoa to the desired temperature (generally another 30 seconds to one minute).
6. Optional: Add whip, marshmallows, cayenne pepper, or other toppings as desired. I find it very pleasant to add a pinch of sea salt and a shot of caramel syrup (I prefer MONIN).