Is it just me or are those cold, winter nights starting to slowly creep in each evening. If, like me, you’re starting to get slightly giddy at the thought of this then I’m sure you will also the type of person who appreciates Nordic woollen sweaters, slipper socks and all things ‘Christmas-esque’. I sure you’ll also agree there’s nothing better than curling up on the sofa with something incredibly indulgent while the rain lashes the window and the wind whistles through the cracks.
This has to be by far, the best, hot chocolate I have ever had. I admit it most definitely isn’t for the faint-hearted or those attempting to watch waistlines in the run up to Christmas but. Thick, creamy and completely over-indulgent; think dessert in a mug.
Thank you Jamie Oliver for giving a girl what she needs.
Making the Ultimate Hot Chocolate
To make enough of the dry hot chocolate mix for 8–10 mugs you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons Horlicks (or similar malted drink -make sure it’s the type you make with milk rather than the instant stuff)
- 2 tablespoons cornflour
- 3 tablespoons icing sugar
- 4 tablespoons quality organic cocoa (i.e. Green & Blacks)
- 100g finely grated good quality dark chocolate (min. 70%)
- a pinch of cinnamon
- a pinch of sea salt
The dry mix is then combined with 2 pints of hot semi-skimmed milk (if using the whole mix amount to make 8–10 mugs).
Or alternatively mix as much milk as needed if making less servings. I work on the basis of two tablespoons of dry hot chocolate mixture per serving/per mug.
How to Make Jamie Oliver’s Epic Hot Chocolate
This hot chocolate is off the scale. It’s so simple to make and is much better than that shop-bought stuff you get, which is often full of rubbish and probably hasn’t got much chocolate in it anyway. I don’t want you to feel cheated, I want you to have the real thing… life’s too short not to.
Pour the milk into a large pan, and bring almost to the boil over a medium heat.
Meanwhile, add all the chocolate mix ingredients to a large jar and give it a good shake to combine. You need around 10 heaped tablespoons of the chocolate mix for this amount of milk. Simply spoon the chocolate mix into the hot milk, give it a good whisk and leave to bubble away for a few minutes before serving. You’re looking for that gorgeous, thick, almost claggy, knockout texture.
Jamie Oliver
Not only is this hot chocolate delicious it would also make a fantastic DIY Christmas gift for any chocolate lovers out there, simply add the dry mix to a jar and label with instructions. Perhaps through in a few mini-marshmallows too and it’s a welcome addition under any Christmas tree.
