Hot Chocolate 101

When the weather starts to get that crisp cold feeling in the air and your looking for something to warm you up after you have raked all your leaves off the lawn, nothing is more satisfying then Hot Chocolate.  So get some good-quality chocolate and make the real deal—you’ll thank me.

For this recipe, use high-end chocolate, I use Callebaut milk and dark  61% chocolate so that you get a rich chocolate flavor with no bitterness. I actually found these 8 oz blocks of chocolate at IGA Market Place.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup whipping cream
• 5 ounces good-quality milk chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1 T of Cocoa powder

1. Combine milk and cream in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until simmering, about 4 minutes.
2. Add chocolate and whisk until completely melted and well incorporated, about 2 minutes. Add the cocoa powder and serve immediately. This serves 2 cups. 

My wife usually makes this a day ahead of time and serves it for dessert on occasion. She just triples the recipe and likes to serve it in a china teapot with tea cups which is the perfect size for this delicious decadent treat. Serve it with shaved chocolate pieces, mini marshmallows or chocolate cups filled with liquors. The possibilities are endless.