Long ago, a tradition started in our family that after we put up the Christmas tree, we watch a Christmas movie and sip on homemade hot chocolate. Some traditions just take off perhaps due to the fact that this hot chocolate tastes like melted chocolate bars and the kids absolutely love it. In my family, hot chocolate is a luxury of cold weather and Christmas time. A cup of warm and drinkable chocolaty goodness (Who wouldn’t love that!) This drink is so luxurious that it doubles as dessert and a small serving goes a long way. Did you know that hot cocoa and hot chocolate aren’t exactly the same thing!!! Although they both are chocolate drinks, hot chocolate is thick, with a faint balance of sweetness and bitterness from the dark chocolate but hot coco is made entirely with coco powder. This homemade treat only requires a few ingredients and a few minutes on the stovetop to warm up a cold evening. Leave a mug full for Santa this week he's going to need the extra chocolatey boost, toys are on the line here friends!
Ingredients
6 SERVINGS
2 cups milk I used 2/%
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (you could also just use milk)
1/2 cup good quality unsweetened cocoa powder (start by adding half a cup and work your way up. All depends how chocolaty you like it
1/4 cup dark chocolate chopped
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (start by adding less if you like it less sweet.
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tsp espresso powder (optional)
a pinch of salt
1 cinnamon stick
Serve with: Turkish floss*, whipped cream and candy canes
Directions
In a medium sauce pan, pour milk and heavy cream and cinnamon stick. Heat over medium-high heat (be sure to watch it carefully - you don't want it to boil or scald!).
Slowly add the coco powder, and the espresso powder if using to the milk mixture and whisk until completely combined.
Reduce heat to medium, add in sweetened condensed milk and stir until completely combined. Reduce heat to low, add the chopped chocolates, and salt whisk until its completely melted and mixture is creamy, simmer for 3 more minutes.
If hot mixture gets too thick, thin out with more milk.
Remove from heat, add in the vanilla and serve in individual mugs.
Top with whipped cream, ground cinnamon, and additional chocolate shavings, or a shot of booze or espresso.
This mixture can stay in the fridge for a few days.
Turkish floss or Pişmaniye (peesh-MAHN-ee-yay) is an ancient Turkish sweet that dates back to the 15th century. It is also called "fairy floss," "string halva," "stretched halva." Pişmaniye resembles cotton candy but it has a different texture and a deeper flavor. Unlike cotton candy, this specialty candy contains flour and butter, and the sugary mixture is pulled into thousands of fine, crumbly strands. These strands are gathered into bite-sized balls and boxed like candy. Pişmaniye comes in several varieties and it is sold plain or chocolate, topped with ground pistachios or walnuts, and flavored with vanilla or cocoa powder.
Did you know:
Although hot cocoa and hot chocolate are both hot drinks made with milk and flavored with chocolate, but what makes them different is actually the chocolate.
Hot chocolate: must be made with chocolate and a little cocoa powder
but Hot Cocoa can be made entirely of cocoa powder and sugar.
Hot chocolate is usually richer, made often with whole milk or even cream with a thick, texture almost like a dippable drink.