Holidays are always a fun excuse for me to do little things to let people know how much I care.  While Valentine’s Day gift-giving is traditionally reserved for the love-in-your-life, why not branch out and share the love by spreading some love?

Today I made a batch of homemade hot chocolate to share with some people who make my life a little easier.  We dropped off a jar for Gwen, the kind doorwoman who works in our apartment building, and a jar for the dry cleaners who are always so sweet to my babies.  I have some left over, so perhaps my sisters will get a visit from me later this afternoon…

My homemade hot chocolate recipe is particularly lovely to make with little Evelyn.  She adores chocolate and helping me in the kitchen, so we had a very nice time together this morning. More than once I caught her stealing little bites from the milk chocolate bar I grated into the cocoa.  Such a sneak!

Homemade Hot Chocolate

2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 milk chocolate bar, grated
A generous dash chili powder, if you like things a little spicy

Whisk all ingredients until well incorporated.  Store in airtight container.

To serve, heat one cup milk to near boiling. Whisk in 3 tablespoons cocoa mixture till foamy and well blended.