Festive Hot Chocolate
We are slowly starting to see some colder weather makes its way though our area (slowly is the key word here). And that means hot chocolate! Hot chocolate is the perfect winter drink for all occasions. Post sledding in the snow, coming inside from shoveling, not leaving the house because you hate the cold but want to be festive. ( I’m usually the last one). You can create just about any hot chocolate flavor you want, and it is always an appropriate time to drink it. Here are some fun and festive hot chocolate recopies to try this season!
- Red Velvet Hot Chocolate: a twist on a classic. Red velvet is popular in cupcakes and cakes and hot chocolate is a great new edition to the desert family. If you like red velvet and hot chocolate then this is the cup for you!
2 cups of whole milk, 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate morsels, 1/2 teaspoon red gel no taste food coloring, whipping cream, vanilla sugar.
To make vanilla sugar whipped cream: 1 cup heavy whipping cream, 2 tablespoons of vanilla sugar
For whipped cream: Add heavy cream and vanilla sugar to a cold metal bowl. Either whip by hand with whisk or with hand-held mixer until soft peaks form.
For hot chocolate: In a small pan, combine milk, chocolate morsels and food coloring. Gently simmer until hot and all the chocolate is melted. I like to use a small whisk to make sure everything is incorporated. Top with freshly whipped cream. via FoodNetwork.
2. Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Peppermint candy cane + hot chocolate = the ultimate Christmas drink. Why wouldn’t you combine some of the best things about Christmas and the holiday season?
1 1/2 cups of heavy cream, 1 1/2 cups of milk, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1/8 teaspoon of salt, 6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate, chopped, 3 drops of peppermint oil, sweetened whipped cream for garnish, and chocolate shavings for garnish.
In a saucepan, combine the cream, milk, sugar, and salt and heat over medium-low heat. When the cream mixture just begins to steam, add the chopped chocolate, and stir, until melted. Stir in the peppermint oil. Divide the hot chocolate among mugs and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. via foodnetwork.
3. Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: Salted Caramel has become a popular flavor in the fall and winter seasons so of course its been incorporated into a hot chocolate. Extra caramel and whipped cream of course!
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice, 4 1/2 cups room temperature milk, 8 oz finely chopped milk chocolate, 2 oz finely chopped dark chocolate, big pinch of salt, whipped cream and caramel sauce, optional. (the recipe calls for optional, but of course you need whipped cream and caramel sauce!)
In a small bowl, rub together the sugar and the lemon juice, until the sugar is damp and fragrant. Place a medium saucepan over medium heat and let it preheat for several minutes until the pan is hot. Once the saucepan is hot, add the sugar. Begin stirring immediately and continuously. Because the pan was preheated, the sugar will start cooking very quickly. Soon after it liquefies it will start to take on color. Cook, stirring constantly, until it is a medium amber color. Continue to stir while you stream in the milk. The caramel may seize and form small chunks of sugar, but continue to stir and heat the mixture, and by the time the milk is piping hot, the caramel will have melted and you will have a smooth liquid. Once the milk is at a simmer (small bubbles forming along the sides of the pan) remove the pan from the heat. Don’t let the milk come to a boil! Add the chopped chocolates to the pan and whisk until the mixture is smooth and the chocolate is melted. Add a pinch of salt, taste the milk, and add more salt if desired. Serve Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate with whipped cream and caramel sauce. It can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stove top. via sugarhero
4. Pumpkin Spiced Hot Chocolate: The ultimate fall drink is now blended with the ultimate winter drink. Epic.
2 cups of milk, 1/2 cups of pumpkin puree, 2 teaspoons of pumpkin spice, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 2/3 cups of white chocolate chips, whipped cream, cinnamon sugar, and a cinnamon stick.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice and vanilla. Heat, whisking occasionally, until the mixture comes to a low simmer. Stir in white chocolate chips and cook until the chocolate has melted. Remove from heat. Ladle into mugs then top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, if desired. via delish.
5. Nutella Hot Chocolate: Nutella hot chocolate is that hip and different one that you are nervous to try, but ends up being so good.
3 tablespoon of nutella, 1 1/3 cup of milk
Put Nutella and 1/3 cup milk in small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until blended. Add remaining milk, increase heat to medium-high, and whisk until hot and frothy. via kitchme.
6. Cinnamon Hot Chocolate: Cinnamon adds the perfect spice to hot chocolate, a perfect little kick in this holiday season!
4 cups light chocolate soymilk, 2 oz of semisweet baking chocolate chopped, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, whipped cream (obviously).
In 2-quart saucepan, heat soymilk, chocolate, vanilla and cinnamon over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring constantly; reduce heat to low. Simmer 4 minutes, stirring frequently, to blend flavors. Garnish each serving with whipped topping. via bettycrocker.
7. S’mores Hot Chocolate: A summer classic and a winter favorite. What more could you ask for??
6 cups milk, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons honey, 1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs, 12 marshmallows, 6 small skewers. I always put like 1200 marshmallows, but that’s just me.
In a medium saucepot, heat milk and sugar to simmering over medium heat, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in chocolate chips until smooth. Meanwhile, place honey on small plate. Invert 6 mugs into honey; slide around until rims are lightly coated in honey. Place graham cracker crumbs in small bowl; twist mug rims into crumbs until coated. Thread 2 marshmallows onto each skewer. Using kitchen blowtorch, open flame on gas stove, or broiler, lightly toast marshmallows. Divide hot chocolate between prepared mugs. Garnish with marshmallow skewers and serve immediately.via foxeslovelemons.
8. Regular Hot Chocolate: An oldie but a goodie. A classic hot chocolate is always a sweet and easy treat for when you just want to cuddle up on the couch and watch your favorite Christmas movie on repeat! According to Hershey’s “Perfectly Chocolate” Hot Coco, here is how is what you need and how you make it:
3/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 4 cups of milk, 1/3 cup of hot water, 1/2 cup of sugar, dash of salt, 1/4 cup of Hershey’s coco.
Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in medium saucepan; stir in water. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; boil and stir 2 minutes.
Add milk; stir and heat until hot. Do Not Boil. Remove from heat; add vanilla. Beat with whisk until foamy. About six 6-ounce servings. via Hershey’s .
