Nutella Hot Chocolate

When I was growing up (and probably still to this day), my Mom was a hot chocolate addict. We didn't drink coffee in our family for religious reasons, so I always wondered if this and her usual coke with lemon were her substitute ways to power through the day. I never could quite figure out why she'd always have a mug of warm milk in the microwave at the end of the day; always left in there from hours ago, just sitting there. She must have forgotten all about it - I mean, how could you honestly forget about a steaming mug of hot chocolate coming your way? It was madness. 

It wasn't until I had a son of my own when I realized why that mug of milk was always left in the microwave...

Raising a kid, and I'm sure a pile of crazy kids like she did, is some seriously exhausting business. After a long day in what feels like the nut house, that steaming mug of melted silky chocolate perfection sounds like the things of which dreams are made. But when the mug goes in the microwave, that's when everything else seems to start up: the kid wakes up a few times wanting a snack, to use the bathroom, to get angry about his jammies, he's desperately begging me to have his scooter removed from his room because of the "scary shadows," the window made a noise in the wind, someone in the apartment complex is out pooping their dog and cleaning it up (who's the real master here, folks? haha) and he had to tell me about the dog he saw out his window, he wants a glass of milk, he needs more blankies, wants less blankies, wants to see what we're watching on Netflix, wants the light left on all night, wants to use the bathroom again, wants to know what we're doing tomorrow, wants to sing me the song he learned, wants to ask me a million "why" questions about the universe, YOU NAME IT.

And it's then when I realized why my Mom's mug of milk for hot chocolate was always forgotten in the microwave. 

She had selflessly been taking care of her kids all night, and we were much higher on her list than I'm sure the much-needed cup of chocolate splendor she was hoping for. One time, instead of making fun of her with the usual "Mom, you forgot your mug of milk AGAIN!!",  I remember reheating it, stirring in some hot chocolate mix and giving it to her. 

In my case anyways, I never really fully appreciated what my parents did for me (especially my sweet Mom), until I had a child of my own - and my own mug of warm milk "forgotten" in the microwave. She's amazing, and that simple hot chocolate mug left in the microwave yet again still reminds me of her selflessness. 

This hot chocolate would have sealed the deal for me in any crazy parenting situation - it's frothy, creamy, softly hinted with hazelnut, and came together in seriously less than 10 minutes. 

TEN MINUTES, friends. 

And guess how many ingredients it takes to make it? Three. 

THREE. 

That in itself was enough for me to want to try this recipe as soon as I could. As the warm milk and cinnamon simmered away on the stove, I dolloped in a heaping scoop of my favorite spread in the world: Nutella. Yes, I'm on the Nutella train! It melted in so quickly and beautifully. The smell this little pot of wonder was putting out was incredible. Even if you make this recipe just to take a whiff of the gorgeous pool of chocolate this creates, it'd be worth it. But guess what? You get to taste it :) . 

Double the recipe if you can - ours went far too quickly! Enjoy! 

Nutella Hot Chocolate

makes 2 servings

ingredients:

1 1/2 C milk

1/2 t ground cinnamon

1/3 C Nutella

whipped cream, marshmallows, and peppermint pieces for serving

method:

1. In a small pot over medium-high heat, bring the milk and cinnamon just to a simmer. Whisk in the hazelnut spread until it has completely melted. Bring to a simmer. Serve in 2 large mugs with freshly whipped cream and soft marshmallows. 

recipe adapted from: the kitchn