Hot cocoa is made for the holidays, when coffee is not enough bait for getting out from under the covers. These gourmet homemade versions are enough of a treat to establish a sense of occasion but simple enough to make before a busy day.
Hot cocoa with chocolate ganache
Ingredients
- 150ml whole milk
- 5g natural cocoa powder
- 100g pure chocolate ganache (recipe below)
- 1ml vanilla extract
- 5-6 mini marshmallows (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the milk and cocoa powder to a gentle boil while whisking continuously. The cocoa powder should be hydrated and you should not see any lumps in the milk.
- Add the ganache and continue whisking until the mixture comes together. It might look split at first, but continue whisking till the hot chocolate looks homogenous and shiny. Do not let this mixture get to the rolling boil stage; it should be a gentle boil.
- Drop the vanilla essence into the mug you intend to drink the hot chocolate in, and pour the mixture into the mug. Top it with marshmallows and serve immediately.
Chocolate ganache ingredients
- 150g real chocolate, made with a minimum of 55 per cent cocoa solids (can go upto 70 per cent). Do not use fake chocolate or chocolate compound.
- 100g dairy cream
Chocolate ganache instructions
- Chop the chocolate into tiny bits and set aside in a stainless steel bowl.
- Bring the cream to a boil in a sauce pan
- Drop the chopped chocolate into the saucepan with the boiling cream. Switch off the gas and leave covered for 15 mins.
- Gently whisk the mixture from the center, moving towards the outside of the pan, until it is brown and shiny.
- The ganache is now ready to use. This recipe makes a little more than is required for one cup of hot chocolate, so you can drop spoonfuls of extra ganache into your hot chocolate to make it even more decadent, or spread some over toast too. You can also chill this ganache and eat it by the spoonful straight from the fridge.
Hot cocoa with brown sugar and honey
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
- 1tsp ground all spice
- 1 stick of whole cinnamon
- 1 stick of vanilla bean
- 1tbsp honey
- 1/8 cup brown sugar
- 4 pieces of vanilla flavoured marshmallows
Instructions
- Take whole milk, dark cocoa powder, vanilla bean and brown sugar together in a saucepan, and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Strain it out using a cheese cloth or a muslin cloth.
- Remove it from heat and stir in the honey.
- Pour it into cups and keep a marshmallow on top, letting it melt it down into your drink.
Hot cocoa with chopped chocolate and vanilla
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 175g chocolate (chopped)
Instructions
Mix all five ingredients in a saucepan and heat over medium heat, whisking constantly so that the chocolate melts. Bring the mixture to a simmer, keeping it on the flame for about eight to 10 minutes. Do not let it boil. Pour into two to three mugs, and serve topped with mini marshmallows or whipped cream.
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