Serve Up A Cup Of Coziness

After shaking snowfl akes from a knit hat and peeling off damp gloves. After sliding stockinged feet from high heels and into fuzzy slippers. After putting away the leftovers and handwashing the china.

There are countless holiday moments that would benefit from - and perhaps even be perfected by - a warm, thick cup of hot chocolate.

Whether warming up pink-nosed snow angels or sweetly ending a Christmas meal that left diners too full for a whole slice of pie, hot chocolate is a winter-weather favorite.And for good reason.

Made in a variety of ways using ingredients that are probably already on hand, it’s a simple, special treat. And by its nature, hot chocolate lends itself to lingering. Its piping hot sweetness requires careful sipping (as my annually burnt tongue can attest; what can I say? I have no selfrestraint), and even its preparation is cozily slow, standing over a warming pot, gently stirring milk and melting chocolate.

It’s a forgiving liquid, so use what you’ve got and make it to your tastes. Start with milk - skim, two percent, soy - or water. Use cocoa powderand sugar. Or melted chocolate chips. Or Hershey’s syrup.

Or a chopped-up chocolate bar. You only have a package of Andes mints? That’ll do.

Toss in a pinch of salt, a sprinkling of cinnamon, a drop or two of vanilla extract. Or Kahlua. If you have a spoonful or two of heavy cream left over from a holiday recipe, stir some in for richness.

And though hot chocolate is still special without adornment, garnishes can add a lot of fun. Mini-marshmallows are a classic, as is a squirt of whipped cream (leftover from the Christmas pie). Maybe add chocolate shavings, a dusting of espresso powder or a candy cane.

Whatever is on hand will do, and is a good enough excuse to stir up and stretch out a cozy moment.

Classic Hot Chocolate

2 cups milk

1 1/2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (can use chocolate chips)

Sugar, to taste, optional

Whipped cream, marshmallows, grated chocolate or cocoa powder, for garnish

Place the milk and chopped chocolate and sugar, if using, in a saucepan over medium heat; whisk periodically until the mixture reaches the boiling point and is foamy.

Remove from the heat and, if desired, use a wire whisk or hand-held blender to create more foam.

Pour into two cups and garnish with whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings and/or cocoa powder.

Serves 2.

- WWW.JOYOFBAKING.COM Spiced Hot Chocolate

2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup golden brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

4 ounces chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Whipped cream and cinnamon sticks, for garnish

Whisk milk, brown sugar and whipping cream in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until the mixture begins to simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then add cocoa powder, chocolate and cinnamon. Whisk until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Pour into six demitasse cups, as the hot chocolate is very rich. Garnish each with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick.

Serves 6.

- FROM BON APPÉTIT, DECEMBER 2005 White Hot Chocolate

1 cup white chocolate chips

1 cup heavy cream

4 cups half-and-half

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Vanilla whipped topping, for garnish

Mint leaves, for garnish

In a medium saucepan overmedium heat, combine the white chocolate chips and heavy cream. Stir continuously until the chips have completely melted. Stir in the half-and-half and vanilla extract. Stir occasionally until heated through.

Pour into mugs and top with a dollop of vanilla whipped topping and garnish with a mint leaf.

Makes 2 to 4 servings.

- RECIPE BY PAULA DEEN Hot Chocolate From Syrup

4 tablespoons (or to taste) chocolate syrup

Canned whipped cream

Milk

Additional chocolate syrup, for garnish

Put the chocolate syrup in a cup, then squirt whipped cream in to about halfway up the cup. Mix the whipped cream and chocolate together with a spoon. Add hot milk of your choice, and stir thoroughly with a spoon.

Garnish with additional whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

Serves 1.

- WWW.WIKIHOW.COM Hot Chocolate From Cocoa Powder

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/3 hot water

4 cups two percent milk

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix the cocoa, sugar and salt together in a pan, add the water and mix well. Place the pan over medium-high heat and allow to come to a boil. Add the milk and stir occasionally until the liquid reaches the desired drinking temperature; do not boil. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla extract, then pour into mugs.

Serves 4.