To celebrate national hot Chocolate day and to make the most of these winter months. Cosy up with your vary own hot chocolate station at home. See how below:
Firstly, make sure you have all the ingredients needed to make your own hot chocolate. I list these in the recipe below.
Set up a large tray where you can display all the enticing goodies.
Set up the ingredients into bowls and jars so everyone can help themselves & customise their own drinks.
Have spoons handy for spooning toppings and stirring.
Adults could add a splash of Baileys or whiskey to make their drink extra special.
For a spicy hit, add a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne before heating.
Use your biggest mugs to enjoy a large hot chocolate drink.
Have a grater to hand to grate even more chocolate on the top of your drinks.
Large pan ready on the stove to heat your milk (children will obviously need to be supervised).
Bowl or jug to mix your chocolate in.
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Luxury Hot Chocolate Recipe
3tbsp Cocoa powder of your choice. For quality, try to buy above 60% cocoa solids.
For a healthier choice, use raw cacao powder.
1.5ltr milk (or dairy free alternative). Oat milk or coconut milk are delish.
Demerara sugar or honey (for added sweetness if required) *
100gms dark chocolate (grated)
1tsp vanilla extract
150mls single cream (or dairy free alternative)
*If using milk chocolate powder, you probably won’t require any of the added sweeteners.
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Method
Put the cocoa in a jug and mix in enough cold milk to make a smooth paste.
Put the rest of the milk in a pan and bring to a simmer.
Whisk the milk into the cocoa paste until everything is mixed then pour back into the pan.
Add the sugar / honey (if required), grated chocolate, vanilla and cream, and heat gently, stirring until everything is combined.
Sweeten to your liking.
Pour the chocolate into mugs and let everyone add their own toppings.
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Toppings
Squirty cream
Marshmallows
Grated chocolate or chocolate dops
Sprinkles
Mini flake pushed into the squirty cream to create a 99
Cinnamon or coconut sugar
Smash up your fav chocolate bar / biscuit (in a plastic bag with a rolling pin) & sprinkle on the top
Fudge chunks
Curl up on the sofa with a good book, or to watch a film and enjoy your luxury hot chocolate treat.