Hot Chocolate and Chocolate Waffles

Forget the mixes and frozen foods! With some basic ingredients on hand and a handful of recipes, you can make it yourself. I have found that it only takes a little bit of extra time - not a lot - and you're saving money and packaging waste. We hosted a sleepover last weekend and I got a request for chocolate waffles the next morning. In no time, I found the recipe online, whipped them up and the girls devoured them! I know they're not the healthiest breakfast item, but at least I know what's in them (and I control the quality of the ingredients) and what's not (no preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, or trans fats!) Read the ingredients list on a box of cake mix, or frozen waffles, or Swiss Miss hot cocoa. There are just things in there that should not be, and I just can't bring myself to buy them anymore. You may have a few extra dishes to wash, but isn't it worth it to give your family good food with wholesome ingredients? Make this breakfast for your chocoholic sweetie on Valentine's Day - and you can boast that you made it from scratch! What says "I Love You" better than that?





Chocolate Waffles
from Alton Brown/The Food Network

7 ounces all-purpose flour or whole wheat pastry flour, approximately 1 1/2 cups
1 3/4 ounces sugar, approximately 3 tablespoons
1.5 ounces cocoa powder, approximately 1/2 cup
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 whole eggs, beaten
2 ounces unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
16 ounces buttermilk, room temperature
4 ounces chocolate chips, approximately 3/4 cup
Vegetable spray, for waffle iron

Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions.
In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. In another bowl beat together the eggs and melted butter and vanilla, and then add the buttermilk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir in the chocolate chips just until combined. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
Ladle the recommended amount of waffle batter onto the center of the iron. Close the iron top and cook until the waffle is crispy on both sides and is easily removed from iron. Serve immediately or keep warm, uncovered in a 200 degree F oven until ready to serve.



Hot Cocoa from Hershey's

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
Dash salt
1/3 cup hot water
4 cups (1 qt.) milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Miniature marshmallows or sweetened whipped cream(optional)

Directions: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. Beat with rotary beater or whisk until foamy. Serve topped with marshmallows or whipped cream, if desired. Five 8-oz. servings. Variation: Add a few drops of peppermint extract or some espresso powder.

MICROWAVE SINGLE SERVING: Combine 1 heaping teaspoon HERSHEY'S Cocoa, 2 heaping teaspoons sugar and dash salt in microwave-safe cup or mug. Add 2 teaspoons cold milk; stir until smooth. Fill cup with milk. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 1 to 1-1/2 minutes or until hot. Stir to blend; serve.