Warm up in winter with molasses hot chocolate

As a child, snow days were all about gearing up in layers of puffy outerwear to spend the day slogging through the snow building forts with my brothers.

We would only come in when our gloves were sufficiently encased in snow and our scarves smelled of the glorious sweat of hard play. Boots and coats came off by the door. Snow-crusted scarves and gloves were draped on nearby registers to thaw.

Next we headed to the kitchen for a cup of cocoa to restore feeling to our fingers and tame our growling bellies. I particularly loved the teeny marshmallows that bobbed like buoys in the sea of milk chocolate.

As an adult, I love gearing up for what comes after a good romp in the snow. So, on a recent snowy day while my husband and daughter made snow angels and built snow turtles, I made hot chocolate and baked cookies.

Playing in the snow is a lot like spending the day out in the sun building sand castles and moats. It builds up an appetite for food and drink that reflect the opposite of your body temperature.

Lemonade and ice cream cones must be consumed after a day on the beach. Hot chocolate and still-warm cookies are a snow day must.

On a whim I decided to make homemade hot chocolate with molasses as the main sweetener. To my delight, the molasses kept all the bittersweet of the cocoa powder balanced by some sweet brown sugar. A dash of cinnamon brought all the flavors into harmony. This hot chocolate is rich tasting and is more like sipping melted chocolate. A little bit goes a long way.

While I prefer homemade whipped cream with this drink, I certainly won't judge if you prefer teeny marshmallows. The kid in me cheers you on.

Molasses Hot Chocolate

Makes 4 small servings

2 cups milk (2 percent or whole)

2 tablespoons molasses

4 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 to 2 tablespoons brown sugar (depending on desired sweetness)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon quality cinnamon (I used Korintje available at New Pioneer Co-op)

Whipped cream (optional)

Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until just steaming and starting to slightly bubble around the edges. Pour in molasses and whisk until completely melted.

Place cocoa powder and brown sugar in a small bowl. Spoon a couple tablespoons of the hot milk into the bowl. Stir until cocoa and brown sugar melt and form a paste. Lower the heat to medium-low and scoop paste into the saucepan. Stir until fully melted and incorporated into the milk. Take off the heat and add vanilla and cinnamon. Pour into cups and top with whipped cream if desired.