In my house, chocolate is a food group. It’s great to have a season in which drinking it is considered normal. Unfortunately, the cats can’t indulge. (They let me have their shares.)
The Easy Way
The easy-peasy way to do hot chocolate at my house is to use the always-on-the-counter Keurig. Typically, I purchase dark chocolate pods, but I try to keep milk chocolate on hand for my milk-chocolate-preferring friends. Making a good cup from the Keurig is easy, as long as you season it a bit. If you use only the hot water, it’s not so good. Use whatever you have on hand as a creamer for your coffee: dry creamer, flavored or not; milk, from whole to fat free; half and half; cream; whatever floats your boat. Just remember, especially if adding liquid, that you need a larger cup, so you don’t overflow.
Sister Mary’s Hot Chocolate
My sister Mary introduced us to Mexican Hot Chocolate. She used Nestle’s brand tablet, Abuelita, that you dissolve in milk as it heats on the stove. There are other brands, but in my experience, this one is very, very good. (I’ve not tried any others, so that was not a comparison statement. It was an I-liked-it statement.)
Mexican Hot Chocolate
Since we’re talking about it, I thought I’d include a recipe for the real thing, made without a “tablet.” The cinnamon and cayenne pepper give it the unique flavor from south of the border.
- 3 cups whole milk
- 3 tablespoons crushed cinnamon sticks
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, plus more for serving
- Lightly sweetened whipped cream (for serving)
I think you can figure out how to do this on top of the stove, but if you want more direction, click on the link above.
Camping Or Outdoor Cooking
Many families take their winter outdoor activities seriously, and why not? If you enjoy a fire pit or if you camp, there is no reason to leave the hot chocolate inside and at home.
I’ve included a couple of links here. The first is to an outstanding recipe for Campfire Hot Cocoa With Butterscotch. Who wouldn’t like this? Of course, the assumption is that you are cooking over a fire or on a grill. Never fear! You can make it indoors just as well!
- 2 cups whole milk
- ¾ cup half & half
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons butterscotch syrup or schnapps for the adults
- 2-3 large marshmallows
- butterscotch ice cream topping for drizzling
- 2 butterscotch candies, crushed for garnish
According to this recipe, you will bring the milk and half & half to simmer (over medium heat in a heavy saucepan – just like home), and then you will remove it from heat to whisk in the cocoa, sugar, vanilla and butterscotch. Return it to heat and stir until the mixture is well-blended. After pouring into mugs (not cups – mugs – mugs are the vessel of choice for any hot chocolate), float a marshmallow, drizzle with butterscotch topping and sprinkle with crushed candies.
Does the butterscotch sound too sweet to you? Try this one. Spices perk up the flavor. This is a dry mix. Make it to take it, either to the campsite or to the back yard. Add this mix to the dairy product(s) of your choosing. Bring the liquid to simmer, remove it from heat, whisk in the mix, and return to heat, stirring until it mixes well.
- 2 1/2 cups cocoa
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
Want An Adult Beverage?
Combining adult beverages with hot chocolate is always (always) a winner. You can get fancy, following recipes that include a variety of ingredients (here is a link), or you can just add the adult beverage. Here are some suggestions:
- Peppermint Schnapps
- Whipped cream vodka
- Bourbon
- Frangelico
- Vanilla flavored vodka
- Kahlua
- Rum
- Bailey’s
- Use your imagination and/or your favorite flavor!
In Closing
Nothing says comfort on a chilly fall or cold winter night like hot chocolate.