Inspired by Chocolate and Cakes

How to make Hot Chocolate recipe ideas

This is the basis of a hot chocolate recipe. The recipes for the chocolate mix and a gourmet version can be found here. They are easy to make and store so that you always have hot chocolate just the way you like it.

• 1.5 cups milk bought just to the boil
• 2 - 3 heaped tablespoons hot chocolate mix

Place the chocolate mix in a large coffee cup or mug. Pour the hot milk over and stir to dissolve. The milk can be heated either on the stove top or in the microwave. Either way be careful as milk has a tendency to boil over. Sweetening a hot chocolate - everyone’s sweetness requirements differ I like mine with out any additional sugars although this does not stop me from having marshmallows, I just eat them before they melt!

• Add marshmallows, every hot chocolate should have at least two marshmallows!
• A tablespoon of white or brown sugar can be used or
• ½ a tablespoon of honey. Honey and dark chocolate go well together.

Adding cream to your hot chocolate recipe. There are two ways I suggest.

• Make the hot cocoa recipe with half milk half cream and bring them just to the boil or
• add a great big dollop of freshly whipped cream to the top of your hot cocoa just before serving.

For a gourmet hot chocolate use whipped cream dusted with chocolate mix and topped with a dark chocolate curl – this makes the best hot chocolate. For something a little different why not use chocolate cream I have a recipe you can use here. Flavouring hot chocolate - add these to the milk while it is heating. Stand the milk for two minutes to infuse the flavours. Remove any large flavourings then make the hot chocolate as usual.

• Additions for spicy hot chocolate – ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, or ¼ teaspoon cinnamon plus ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible you will be amazed at the aroma it will leave.
• Hot hot chocolate - chilli powder one small pinch or one small split chilli. Go easy on this addition and make sure you warn people first!
• 1 tablespoon alcohol or chocolate cream liqueur, coffee liqueur, orange flavoured liqueur.
• One vanilla split bean. ½ teaspoon of vanilla essence
• ¼ teaspoon of almond essence.

Serving suggestions - how to make gourmet hot chocolate.

• sprinkle with grated chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, cocoa powder, drinking chocolate, malted milk powder, marshmallows or chocolate curls.
• If making a spiced hot chocolate you could use a long cinnamon quill as a stirrer instead of a spoon it looks very decorative and enhances the flavour. The cinnamon quill can also be used as a straw.
• Set a small amount of melted chocolate onto a long handled spoon make ahead of time. This slowly melts in the hot milk increasing the chocolate indulgence.
• Use a long skewer and place three to four marshmallows on it. Try mini marshmallows.
• Peppermint candy canes can be used if it is not Christmas just cut off the hooked end. So do not throw out those left over candy canes at the end of Christmas make peppermint hot chocolate instead!
• A slice of chilli threaded on a skewer to stir through the hot milk. This will probably be enough to spice the chocolate with out the addition of chilli powder to the hot mix.
• Mocha hot chocolate, use half milk and half freshly brewed coffee or make as usual with the addition of a shot of espresso.
• Not quite gourmet but fun anyway, fill a tall glass with scoops of chocolate or vanilla ice-cream (or both) and pour hot chocolate over. Serve with a long spoon

Another hot chocolate recipe which seems to be the chic way these days is to simply grate very good quality dark chocolate into the bottom of a glass. Heat the milk until just boiling and pour this over the chocolate. The heat of the milk melts the chocolate then you stir it though to just how you like it. A white hot chocolate is also very successful using grated white chocolate. You only decorate these with a dusting of chocolate powder and maybe a small dollop of freshly whipped cream. They are meant to be understated showing off the quality of chocolate you have used.

Well that covers hot chocolate recipe ideas - Do you love a good iced hot chocolate or frozen hot chocolate? Have a peek at my recipe suggestions - an iced chocolate is my favourite hot chocolate of them all!

For more chocolate drink ideas including chocolate tea click here.

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