Recipe

Judy's 1200 Year Old Hot Chocolate Recipe From 'The Santa Clause'

By Isha Modi at University of Connecticut

Even though it's been a month since the holidays, I'm still in the spirit. We all have those favorite Christmas movies growing up. For some of you, it may be A Charlie Brown Christmas or Elf, but for me, it is The Santa Clause. It's a yearly tradition for me to watch all three of the movies at least once before Christmas day. 

If you've ever seen the movie, you'd remember some of the very iconic scenes. One of them involves Scott Calvin visiting the North Pole for the first time after he has been newly appointed as Santa Clause. 

While he and Charlie are in his bedroom at the North Pole, Judy the Elf brings him a mug of hot chocolate claiming that the recipe took her 1,200 years to perfect! Ever since I saw that scene I've wanted Judy's hot cocoa.

If you don't have 1,200 years, that's okay! I've got the recipe for you right here. And even though it's not Christmas-time anymore, this makes for a perfect winter drink.

Judy the Elf's Hot Chocolate

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Servings: 2
Ingredients
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup instant nonfat dry milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch salt

Isha Modi

Step 1

Lay out all the ingredients.

Isha Modi

Step 2

Measure all the ingredients out to prepare for cooking.

Isha Modi

Step 3

Pour 3/4 cup of milk into a medium sized sauce pan and place on medium heat. Make sure that the milk does not boil!

Isha Modi

Step 4

Add in the cup of chocolate chips. Mix until the chocolate has melted fully into the milk.

Isha Modi

Step 5

Add in the vanilla, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Mix.

Isha Modi

Step 6

Pour the rest of the milk into the mixture and add the instant dry milk.

Isha Modi

Step 7

Once all the ingredients have been thoroughly incorporated, serve the hot cocoa in a mug of your choice. Top with Cool Whip and a sprinkle of cocoa powder as pictured.

Isha Modi

Tips:

- To make really get The Santa Clause vibe, serve in a huge silver mug

- For toppings, add whipped cream, marshmallows, candy canes, or anything else that you like

- If you are worried that the powders have not incorporated fully into the cocoa, strain before serving to get a smooth texture