Snowy, snowy day

We woke up to a beautiful blanket of snow here in Missouri. I love when it's still like this...clean and pristine.

Caitlin and her older sister Kristin are out making a snowman and they've taken the sled outside so I need to get the hot chocolate ready.

This is my favorite recipe:

3 cups whole milk

1 cup half-and-half

1/4 cup good quality cocoa powder

1 teaspoon instant espresso or coffee powder

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Place milk and half-and-half in a saucepan and heat to just below a simmer over medium heat.
Meanwhile, stir together the cocoa powder, sugar, instant espresso or coffee powder and cinnamon. A few teaspoons at a time, stir the hot milk into the cocoa mixture to make a smooth paste. Scrape the cocoa mixture into the saucepan with the milk and simmer 2 minutes; do not let it boil. Stir in the vanilla and keep warm in a thermos.