Even though I drink hot coffee year-round, hot chocolate is, for me, a seasonal drink and it’s one of the joys of winter. I’ve made it for years with Mexican chocolate but with dark chocolate so easy to find these days — and heart-healthy — I decided to create a new version that would be as satisfying as a dessert.
This is double-chocolate decadent with solid dark chocolate and dark cocoa powder. There’s no added sugar because, let’s face it, the chocolate has plenty. The chocolate and cocoa are readily available in supermarkets — I used Hershey’s Special Dark for both — and I tried it with whole milk, reduced-fat (2%) and fat-free. The 2% is shown in the photos; whole milk makes it even creamier. Skim was okay but not my first choice.
Further decadence comes from the whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Cinnamon, also used twice in two forms, gives this a flavor suitable for an adult palate but not too sophisticated for children. I really love this.
I choose to use a microwave but you can make it on the stovetop if you wish. And if you have one of those battery-operated whirligigs for mixing and frothing, do use it at the end. This recipe is for one serving but it doubles fine and I assume it would triple or quadruple without problems.
Ella’s Decadent Hot Chocolate
8 ounces milk
1 TB dark cocoa powder
1 ounce dark chocolate, in chunks *
1/2 standard stick of cinnamon (use 2 -3″)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract, not imitation
2 ounces heavy cream
chocolate shavings, for garnish
ground cinnamon, for garnish
* From a large, 5-ounce bar of Hershey’s Special Dark, use 3 blocks
In a large microwavable measuring cup or container (leave plenty of room, it’ll bubble up in the next step), heat the milk on full power for one minute.
Add cocoa powder and stir well, dissolving as much of it as possible. Add chocolate pieces, cinnamon stick and vanilla extract. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on full power another 5 minutes or until chocolate is melted.
Meanwhile, whip the cream till voluminous and soft peaks form. Shave the chocolate.
Remove hot chocolate from microwave, remove and discard the cinnamon stick and whisk vigorously to produce froth. Pour into a glass or mug, dollop with whipped cream, scatter chocolate shavings on top and sprinkle with cinnamon.
Serves 1
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Ahh, this sounds delicious! It’s just starting to get cold down here in Texas and this is what we need. For a spicy mix try using Mexican chocolate – it has a little chile in it to spice things up!
Hi! Yep, I love Mexican chocolate, as I mentioned in the first graf, but I wanted this one to be all about self-indulgence without being over-the-top in fat and calories.
Just starting to get cold, eh? We have plenty of cold here in New England if you’d like some…
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
I’ll share your blog with me mom. She loves cooking, I’m sure she’ll enjoy reading your recipes.
I’m going to have to make another trip to the grocery store for hot chocolate supplies. This sounds so incredible I can almost taste it right now. And with temperatures here expected to go into the low teens (F) during the day and negative numbers at night, it will make it just that much more bearable.
Juan – I’d be thrilled to have your mom as a reader. After all the help you’ve given me, she’ll feel like family. Thanks again.
Richard – Yikes, your weather sounds like ours. I do think you’ll like it. I must admit this was one time I didn’t mind at all that I had to try several times to get it right, then try the variations. I drank them all!
And thank you, too, for your exhaustive help. (klass. U haz it.)
Love the piece on hot chocolate. BTW, i will be posting a YouTube hot chocolate class in the beginning of Februrary. If you wish to check out my pilot 2-part YouTube Truffle making class this will give you an idea of what’s to come.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRKfX9p7OG0
Cheers,
Michael Recchiuti
Michael – I so enjoyed the video; thanks for the link. I was delighted to see ingredients given by weight as well as by volume. But tell me — have you tried the ganache with other than invert sugar?
How much decadence can one person take? Apparently a lot. Now, how many ways can one say “Yum”!
If there’s a limit to hot chocolate decadence, I haven’t found it.
i feel happy just looking at the picture… didn’t know chocolate pictures have the same effect as eating them!
Hi, sulz! Calorie-free happiness? I’ve done my job, thank you. Good to see you!