I don’t know what’s sweeter – this easy hot cocoa recipe or the fun National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation moose mug I served it in!

Ever since the kids and I tried Whisk Dessert Co’s hot chocolate bombs last week, we’ve been on the hot cocoa train. Full disclosure: up until this point, we drank packet hot chocolate. Which means we didn’t drink hot chocolate very often at all, LOL!

But in my personal quest to make the most out of Christmas at home this year, I started experiment with various hot cocoa recipes. This one proved to be Elle’s favourite as it’s chocolatey without being as rich as some recipes I tried that called for real melted chocolate.

I also love that you can make it in under five minutes with minimal mess.

Here’s how to whip one up:

Easy Hot Cocoa Recipe

Yields 1 drink

You’ll Need:

• 1 cup milk
• 1 tbsp cream
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1.5 tbsp brown sugar
• Pinch salt
• ¼ tsp vanilla
• Toppings of your choice (my favourites are fresh whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings, candy cane flakes)
• Optional adult boozy addition: peppermint schnapps

Directions:

Combine milk and cream in a saucepan and whisk in cocoa powder, brown sugar and a pinch of salt. Warm over medium heat, stirring often, but do not let the mixture come to a boil.

Once the cocoa has reached the desired temperature, remove from heat, stir in vanilla and serve immediately with your favorite toppings (or a splash of peppermint schnapps if you’re in the mood for a boozy version of this iconic drink).

About the Moose Mug

Over the last few weeks, my Pinterest DMs have been blowing up about this National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation moose mug. Isn’t it fun?!

Over the last six years, Aaron and I have owned four but only one remains. They’re made of glass and are quite delicate, so I wouldn’t recommend buying one for a child or handing one over to the clumsy person in your family, lol!

However, if handled with care (and not stuffed into a suitcase like I did) they can last for years. I found ours at Bed Bath and Beyond here in Canada but am linking a few US retailers that sell them, including Target and Kohls.

Plus, here are some other fun themed goodies that would make a great stocking stuffer.

Cheers!

Xo Holly

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