Housely
Around the holidays, you want to get in from the cold and enjoy the heat. Nothing warms you up faster than a nice cup of hot chocolate. When most people think of hot chocolate, they think of Swiss Miss, hot water, and a spoon. While this is a good option if you don’t have much time, there some amazing hot chocolate recipes that are not only delicious, but they are also very unique. We’ve come up with five recipes that are sure to be a hit around the holidays….and any other time!
Sea Salt Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream
This is an excellent recipe for anyone who loves hot chocolate and wants to give it something extra. It may not be as simple to make as the instant hot chocolate in the envelope, but it is well worth the extra time that it will take to make it.
Ingredients for the Melted Hot Cocoa:
- 8 squares of 100% cocoa baker’s chocolate, dark
- 2 squares of semi-sweet baker’s chocolate
- 3 teaspoons of honey
- ¾ cups of room temperature whole milk
Ingredients for the Sea Salt Chocolate Whipped Cream:
- 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 cup of heavy whipping cream
- ¾ teaspoons of sea salt plus a little extra to sprinkle on top
Instructions
Start by making the whipped cream. In an electric mixer that is fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream at the medium-high speed. Continue mixing until the cream holds a peak. Next, whisk in the sea salt and the cocoa powder. Mix until the ingredients are fully incorporated. Put a cover on the whipped cream and set it aside.
Next, in a double boiler, melt down the chocolate pieces while stirring constantly. Next, add the milk and the honey and keep stirring until it is all mixed together.
This recipe makes enough to serve two people. Pour the hot chocolate into two mugs and top with the whipped cream. Finally, sprinkle the sea salt on each drink and serve.
Black Cherry Bourbon Hot Chocolate
This recipe takes your favorite cold weather hot chocolate and takes it to the next level by adding a bit of black cherry bourbon. Since there is alcohol in the recipe, it isn’t a drink for the kids, however, it is a great drink for adults. This recipe makes two mugs so feel free to make a drink for a friend.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups of milk
- 5 tablespoons of double chocolate hot chocolate mix, Ghiradelli is a great choice
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate shavings
- 2 ounces of Jim Beam black cherry bourbon
Instructions:
Start by heating the hot chocolate mix and milk in a small saucepan over high heat. You can let it steam, but don’t allow it to start boiling. Next, pour 1 ounce of the bourbon into each of the two cups and then pour the hot chocolate between the two cups. Finally, top each cup with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
This recipe takes your two favorite treats and combines them into one. The final result tastes almost like a Resse’s peanut butter cup, but better because it warms you up and your can drink it. This recipe is very easy to make and it only makes one serving. If you are going to serving another person, you can double the recipe.
Ingredients:
- 4 squares of semi-sweet chocolate
- ½ cup of peanut butter
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 cup of heavy whipping cream
- Mimi marshmallows
Instructions:
In a small saucepan, combine the milk and the cream. Heat on medium high heat or until it is steaming. Be sure not to let it boil. Next, add the chocolate cook until it is melted, stirring constantly. While still stirring, add the peanut butter and cook until it is just melted. Remove the heat and pour it into a mug. Finally, top with as many mini marshmallows as you like.
Gingerbread Hot Cocoa
This is the ultimate holiday hot drink. Nothing says the holiday like hot chocolate and gingerbread. The best thing about this recipe is that it makes four servings, therefore, you can sit with your family around the tree and enjoy this delicious hot beverage.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of cocoa powder
- ¼ cup of white sugar
- ¼ cup of brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon of ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon of allspice
- ¼ teaspoon of sea salt
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 4 cups of milk
- Whipped cream for topping
- 4 gingerbread man cookies
Instructions:
In a medium size saucepan, heat the milk over low heat. While the milk is warming up, add the cocoa powder, white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice in a bowl. Mix it until the ingredients are fully incorporated. When the milk gets hot, whisk the spices in. Pour the hot chocolate into 4 coffee mugs and top with whipped cream. Finally, sprinkle with cinnamon and put a gingerbread man into each cup.
The Hot Chocolate Pina Colada
If you are looking for a great beverage to serve at your next holiday get-together, this is a perfect choice. Not only is it delicious, it contains the greatest tasting spiced rum ever made, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum. This recipe makes 8 servings, which may be enough for all of the adults at your get together. If not, feel free to double the recipe.
Ingredients For the Hot Chocolate:
- ½ cup of dark chocolate unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
- 1 can-13.5 ounce of coconut milk
- ¾ cups of pineapple juice
- 4 cups of water
- ¾ cup of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
- 1 pinch of kosher salt
Ingredients For the Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup of heavy cream (ice cold)
- 3 tablespoons of Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
- 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar
Ingredients for the Garnish:
- ¼ cup of honey
- ½ cup of toasted coconut
Instructions:
You want to start by making the garnish first because it takes between 60 and 90 minutes to bake the coconut flakes. You should preheat the oven to 225 degrees and bake the flakes until they are brown. Be sure to turn the flakes every 15 minutes while cooking. When they are done, place them in a ziplock bag and make sure that all the air has been pressed out.
Next, you want to start working on the spiked whipped cream. Chill a mixing bowl in the freezer, and whip the heavy cream. Next, transfer it to a saucepan and cook it on medium high or until it peaks. Next, beat in the sugar and the run. Stir well and put it in the refrigerator until it is ready to serve.
Finally, it is time to start on the hot chocolate. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the coconut milk, condensed milk, pineapple juice, cocoa powder, and salt. Heat until warm but do not allow it to boil. When the mixture is hot, turn the stove to simmer and add the rum and the water. Continue heating again until the mixture is hot.
To serve your drinks, put the honey in a saucer. Next, put the toasted coconut in a small bowl. Dip the rim of each glass into the honey and then press it into the coconut. Make sure that it coats the rim completely. Pour the hot chocolate between the 8 cups. Finally, put some whipped cream on the top of each mug and sprinkle with the leftover coconut.
Whether you try one of these recipes or all of them, it will make you wonder why you ever made instant hot chocolate.
Comments
Loading…