The container of Ovaltine was empty! How do you reason with a toddler when Mommy just twenty seconds ago promised you a glass of chocolate milk, but now she can no longer give you any? Those big eyes just tear a hole through you.
So I was on a quest. After quickly tearing apart the cupboard looking for any "hidden" stash of Ovaltine and not finding anything but hot cocoa mix (does NOT work in cold milk.....trust me), I ran to the computer to look up a homemade recipe for chocolate milk powder.
Although there didn't seem to be any suitable powdered recipes, I did find a chocolate syrup recipe that would work great in cold milk.
1 Cup Cocoa Powder
1 1/4 Cup Sugar
1 1/4 Cup Water
Dump everything into a pot and bring to a boil for about 3 minutes, stirring to make sure it doesn't burn on the bottom. Let cool and pour into container; I used two pint jars. Store in fridge.
So in less than twenty minutes, we had our glasses filled with chocolate milk. And all was right in Rhiannon's universe.
I always have cocoa and sugar on hand. So not only am I saving money (that jar of Ovaltine costs close to $5) but it's one less product I have to buy and one less container I have to recycle or find a use for.
Technically there was nothing necessary about this, nor did I personally invent anything, but the saying still holds true. And now I'm thinking about how good that chocolate syrup will taste on ice cream!
Carolyn Renee, What really counts is that you made Rhiannon extremely happy. In the process, you have also found yourself a good mixture/combination for chocolate milk. Now...now, choclate syrup on ice cream oh my....now that will start trouble in this house :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd you taught her the virtue of patience, as in that old adage "all good things are worth waiting for."
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful when you can solve a "problem" using what you have on hand?!? Now you will also save money and know exactly what is in your chocolate milk! :)
ReplyDeleteGood job!!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent! And no high fructose corn syrup or no hydrogenated anything. From one chocolate love to another, thank you!
ReplyDeleteMuch cheaper than buying Hershey's syrup and not really knowing what's in it.
ReplyDeleteI remember as a child growning up eating waffles with chocolate syrup. My dad want mother to make it like his mother's. When I saw your recipe it made me think about it. She used cocoa, sugar, and water. We never ate waffles with bought chocolate syrup, had to homemade.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! another DIY food which is a good thing. I try not to buy any kind of a mix. I think you are eating healthier for it.
ReplyDeleteMy mom always made homemade syrup, so I actually couldn't wait to be a "grownup" and buy the real thing LOL, now I make my own too!
ReplyDeleteSandy, I'm just glad that chocolate milk can make her happy! How easy is that?! :)
ReplyDeleteCharade, or is it "All good chocolate is worth waiting for"?
Candy, I do love knowing what is in the foods we eat, very empowering.
Nancypo, Thanks!
Leigh, Had I known it was that simple I would have done it years ago. A big "Duh" moment, but a good one.
Anon., now I'm going to have to check out what's in Hershey's syrup next time I'm at the store just to find out.
Steak 'n Eggs, waffles with chocolate syrup? Wow, that must have been a treat for a kid!
gld, every time I can cross another grocery-store item off my list the better it gets.
Erin, isn't that funny that as kids, all we want is the "store" stuff, but now that we're older we want the homemade goodies!?
Thanks for posting this. This is one less item that I will have to buy and I'll know exactly what is in it. With all the news of "pink slime" I have to wonder if we truely know what we are eating when we buy stuff from the store since the FDA deems it unnecessary to post ALL ingredients on a package. I'm on a quest to support myself as much as possible when it comes to my food. Either buy raw goods or grow it myself.
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