My dad used to make my sister and I cold cereal for breakfast most mornings. He’d spoon some brown sugar into a small bowl, add Life Cereal (remember that goodness!?), and top the cereal with milk. My sister and I would sit in the breakfast nook watching I Love Lucy (or The Andy Griffith Show on a bad day) and enjoy our cereal. Easy and regular and somehow super special.
I’d try to rush my way through the cereal before it got too soggy. Always a race against time. The best part of cereal was always the final spoonfuls of milk steeped with the brown sugar that lived at the bottom of the bowl. I loved finding those sweet pockets of brown sugar.
I think I’m looking for those sweet pockets all through life. They’re not really that hard to find…. especially when you put way too much minty chocolate syrup at the bottom of your chocolate milk glass. See what I did there? Sweet pockets.
For a hot version of Chocolate Milk, see: Cinnamon Infused Hot Chocolate.
Chocolate milk is about more than just mixing cocoa powder with milk. Oooh no. We need to fancy it up a bit.
Cocoa powder is combined with brown sugar and granulated sugar. Water to make it all a syrup. Salt to balance the sweetness. Pure vanilla extract for depth, and a dash of mint extract because it’s winter and peppermint is extra pretty in chocolate.
I used two different types of cocoa powder because it’s what I had on hand. I used natural cocoa powder and a black onyx cocoa powder. Use whatever you have that makes you happy.
The mixture is whisked and boiled for about 10 minutes. The chocolate becomes deep, dark, and bubbly hot. Not exactly what you might think when you picture cold chocolate milk, but we’ll get there!
Once the syrup is boiled and thickened, it’s rested and cooled. It’s sort of like making hot fudge for milk. I mean… just imagine how good that is. Ps. REALLY GOOD, in case your imagination fails you.
A heaping spoonful of chocolate syrup is stirred together with milk. The result is creamy chocolate milk with just a tiny hint of mint. So satisfying. Add a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and we’ll be best friends forever and ever.
My very favorite part is the collected chocolate at the bottom of the glass. Life is sweet.
In other news… can you believe that I executed this entire blog post without the use of a single paper straw. Food blog miracle.
Hint of Mint Chocolate Milk
adapted from With Style and Grace
makes about 1 1/2 cups chocolate sauce
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used natural cocoa powder and black onyx cocoa powder)
pinch of salt
1 cup water
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
whole or reduced fat cow’s milk, soy milk, or almond milk
In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugars, cocoa powder, and salt. Place saucepan over low heat and add water. Whisk until thoroughly combined and no lumps remain.
Bring the chocolate mixture to a low boil, whisking frequently. Whisk for 8 to 10 minutes, until mixture is thickened.
Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla and peppermint extracts. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate until ready to use.
To make chocolate milk, stir together 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup per one cup of cold milk. Stir and enjoy!
Carmen Bizzarri
one of the photos isn’t showing up! just thought i’d let you know
joythebaker
Thank you! I’ll check it out.
Emily @ Life on Food
Oh yum! I would be sticking my face in the glass to get every last bit of chocolate out.
Lisa / WithStyleGrace
oooh!! I love what you did with the hint of mint – I’m definitely doing this with the next batch. loves ~ xo
Jeff @ Cheese-burger.net
This chocolate milk looks so good! The touch of mint makes it more exciting.
Heidi
Joy I’ve never left a comment before, so here goes! Have loved your blog for years, but after your Uganda posts, I love it even more. Thank you for sharing another side of who you are and what you are passionate about. It was beyond inspirational. Keep up the great work!
joythebaker
i appreciate you so much!
Amy
Oh wow. I have many sweet pockets in my life, more like a vein of gold running through every day, if only I am wise enough to allow it to shine through. One of the biggest sweet things is my boyfriend, and oh my would he love this chocolate milk :)
One sweet thing satisfied by another :) Thanks Joy.
Mary @ flavorrd
I still eat Life cereal on a regular basis. Also chocolate milk, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. What I mean to say is, sweet pockets are what it’s all about, and I think you’re living right!
Becca-cookie jar treats
Oh this looks amazing! I loved adding more chocolate syrup than needed because I loved slurping up the chocolatey remains. :)
Ginger girl
I was curious to know approximately how long it would keep. Maybe I’m being overly optimistic about needing the answer to this!
Also, I can’t agree more about cereal racing. Mushy cereal is just terrible.
NancyRing
I read this with a full glass of my favorite wine and now I want chocolate mint milk. Amazing!!
coralcrue
oh my GOd! Delish. i would have never known about adding salt to this!! thanks
Catherine McCarthy
Cant wait to try out this recipe! Looks amazing. I may even add some whipped cream to this bad boy.
ameasureofblush.blogspot.co.uk
Ellen
This is my dream chocolate milk. Also-ly, I’ve always liked cold chocolate much more than hot, and rarely see recipes for it. Thank you!
atasteofmadess
I would do that with cereal, but it was with Corn Flakes. Something about Corn Flakes and brown sugar made me unbelievably happy.
This looks so good. I love the mint and chocolate combo!
Moss
The pictures of this are stunning! I will be making this tomorrow when I am less influenced by Chablis :) You are a true inspiration. Your post “The days run away” profoundly changed my life. Thank you for sharing all your beautiful thoughts and for inspiring others to challenge themselves. And, as a yummy aside, your pie crust tutorial helped me overcome my fear of dough. My family is gracious!
Melissa @ Treats With a Twist
Omg! And I’ve never heard of putting brown sugar in the bottom of a cereal bowl, but now I want to! And I bought LIFE cereal a few months ago just to feel nostalgic. Good good stuff.
I LOVE that you got the two tones of chocolate in one glass. My husband would die for this because he still drinks a glass of chocolate milk as a treat at night :)
Nicole
So glad I just found your blog!!! Everything you have posted looks delicious!!!!
http://ncolesnotes.blogspot.com
Monica
I make chocolate syrup constantly so I can have homemade mocha fraps almost every morning. On the weekends, I use that chocolate syrup to make my son chocolate milk and he loves it – seemingly more than the boxed ones. I know he would love a version infused with mint. Lovely idea. And cereal! I used to eat frosted flakes with extra sugar – believe it or not! And my favorite part was getting, yes, racing for that crunch and then the last bit of sugary milk at the end. I was just telling my husband about that (again) the other day! Good stuff…
BP
I’m actually drooling all over my face – ps I second “food blog miracle bahaha”
PinkPanthress
This sounds awesome… ? I really need to try it out.
My mother does mint cocoa a bit different, so this would be quite interesting to test.
fusilliamy
I would have allowed one of those fancy pants stainless steel straws, BUT when drinking chocolate milk, the milk mustache is key to the experience.
lizytishknits
Love mint and chocolate – this looks great!
sundiegoeats
Love having the chocolate syrup and then just adding chocolate syrup to it, reminds me of in Argentina when we had ‘Submarinos’, you are served hot milk with a bar of chocolate in it and you just stir it until its melted. So good.
Alexe @ Keys to the Cucina
Yummy! I love the chocolate and mint combo, can’t lose with it :)
Taylor
This looks sooo good! I definitely need my own chocolate fix today and this will do the trick!
xoxo
Taylor
http://www.welcomehometaylor.com
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
This looks seriously awesome joy. A hint of mint is always a good idea!
bakerkat
looks amazingly good. I love the idea of sweet pockets
Rossi @ A Baking Girl
Hahaha… that comment about the paper straw…
Michele @ babyfoode.com
Life cereal is STILL in my pantry! It is the only thing that I can keep down during my awful first trimester of pregnancy and I am not embarrassed to say that I am now just eating it by the boxful!
The chocolate syrup looks amazing and I have all the ingredients. Will be making this weekend for a special treat! Thanks Joy!
Victoria
Love the twisty spoon!
Kim d.
Food blog miracle…..bahahahahaha!
Elizabeth Batte
This is, in your words, Bonkers Awesome.
gracebeekman
Yum! This look so good! Bring on the chocolate, girl.
http://sometimesgracefully.com
Sini?my blue&white kitchen
I’m totally into this chocolate milk! I remember drinking hot mint chocolate as a kid – but instead of actually drinkin it hot, I always prefered the powder mixed with cold milk. I’m so making this, Joy!
Annie
I adore all things mint and chocolate! I am hosting a girls night in with some of my old college roomies, I think this would be a prefect treat to add to the breakfast menu!
Lori
Why was it a bad day with Andy Griffith? I loved watching that with my dad!
joythebaker
hahaha. i dunno! i just always thought that show was boring for some reason.
Karen
Oh, I’m seeing jars filled with chocolate sauce, made to give to every one of my friends. Does anyone remember Bosco chocolate syrup? It made the gallons of milk I drank taste delicious. Or, maybe I drank gallons of milk because of the Bosco. Regardless, chocolate milk and cocoa are the perfect conversation starter for any mother and child (or teen, and they never know what is happening). Actually, now I’m certain I’m going to make jars for my two college-aged sons!
The slow pace
Sweet pockets… what a nice concept… It would be nice to find some because lately life has been… weird. Anyway, your recipe looks awesome and I’m sure it will bright up my weekend! Thanks!
xx,
E.
http://www.theslowpace.com
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I love the color! And that there’s just a hint of mint. Sometimes mint can be so overpowering. Looks spectacular, Joy! pinned
Raissomat
Two chocolatey posts in a row…makes me think about pms. I am known for laying on the couch while yelling my boyfriend the ( totally Made up ) instructions for a giant triple choc cookie. He delivers. Mostly looks like a cow escrement. But tastes delicious.
Cathy
Ha! No straw! It is a miracle!!!
Siobhan
This looks like heaven in a glass! I need to try it!
Harmony
Chocolate milk is supposed to be good for recovery after runs, adding mint just makes sense. Thank you!
Belinda Lo (Moonblush Baker)
I did that too! I would warf down cereal but the end result was the puddle of deep crumbs at the base. So the best part. The deep colours of your cocoa mix is almost too much for my cocoa loving self. I am stunned and drooling at the same time, joy. Another amaze post.
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious
Totes stupendous!
Stephanie
Joy oh Joy. Bonks amaze!!!