Hot Chocolate! Getcha’ Hot Chocolate Here!

March 5, 2007 | Filed Under Drinks

With the freezing, snowy weather we’ve been having lately, I decided it’s definitely time to treat myself to a good cup of hot chocolate. I found this recipe on The Traveler’s Lunchbox. Thanks, Melissa!

If you’re especially a chocolate lover, I think you’ll really like this recipe, which consists of bittersweet chocolate, cocoa powder, heavy cream, evaporated milk and whole milk. I like how you can make the beverage thicker and richer by leaving out the water and instead adding more cream. Or you can dilute it to make it lighter. Either way, it tastes warm, chocolatey and delicious. This hot chocolate recipe satisfies your chocolate sweet tooth and warms your body.

Paz

Cookies from Mischief Mari Cookies

Perfect Hot Chocolate
adapted from The Secrets of Baking

Yield: 6 cups of hot chocolate

7oz (200g) bittersweet chocolate
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 1/2 cups whole milk (or 2 cups milk and 1/2 cup additional cream)
1 1/2 cups water (optional)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
sugar, to taste
freshly whipped cream, to garnish

To make the ganache, chop the chocolate into small pieces and place in a heatproof bowl. Bring the cream and evaporated milk to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Immediately pour the boiling liquid over the chopped chocolate, then let it sit undisturbed for 1 minute. Stir slowly until everything is smooth and blended.

Bring the whole milk and optional water to a boil over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in the ganache. Let sit for 1 minute, then stir until well combined and velvety smooth. Stir in the vanilla, sweeten with sugar to taste and serve hot, garnished with a spoonful of lightly-sweetened whipped cream.

Lime-Pistachio Cookies from Mischief Mari Cookies