Hot Cocoa

Ingredients;

125 mL sugar
50 mL cocoa powder
dash of salt
80 mL hot water
1 L 2% milk
4 mL vanilla extract*

1. stir together sugar, cocoa and salt in medium saucepan; stir in water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil and stir 2 minutes. Add milk; stirring constantly, heat to serving temperature. Do not boil.

2. remove from heat; add vanilla*. Whisk until mixture is foamy. Serve topped with marshmallows.

*Variations for flavouring: Add one of the following with the vanilla extract-

SPICED COCOA: dash of ground cinnamon and dash of ground nutmeg. Serve with a cinnamon stick if desired.

MINT COCOA: 2 mL mint extract OR 45 mL crushed hard peppermint candy. Serve with peppermint candy stick, if desired.

CITRUS COCOA: 2 mL of orange extract.

SWISS COCOA: 10 mL powdered instant coffee.

CANADIAN COCOA: 2 mL maple extract.

Looking Back:
This hot chocolate is the best I've ever had. It's amazing!

Classic Buttercream Icing

Ingredients:
250 mL vegetable shortening
5 mL vanilla
30 mL water
454g or 1000 mL of icing sugar
15 mL egg white powder

1. In large bowl, cream shortening, icing sugar, eggwhite powder, vanilla, and water
2. Add dry ingredients and mix on medium speed until all ingredietns have been thouroughly mixed together
3. Blend together an additional minute until creamy

*This icing can be refrigerated or you can freeze it