Snowman Mocha Recipes

MOCHA POPS

Steps:

• Put a large scoop of coffee ice cream in a paper cup and use a spoon to press the ice cream into the bottom and sides of the cup. Put a heaping tablespoon of the chocolate wafer cookies on top and gently press into the coffee ice cream layer. Finish with a large scoop of chocolate ice cream, pressing into the cup. Repeat with the remaining cups, ice cream, and chocolate wafer cookies. Push a wooden pop stick about a quarter of the way into the center of each pop and cover each with plastic wrap. Freeze the pops until the ice cream hardens, at least 4 hours and up to overnight. When ready to serve, gently peel off the paper cup and serve frozen.

SNOWMAN BANANA NOG

Steps:

• Heat a hot-glue gun.
• Glue 3 buttons down the front of 4 pint-size (16-ounce) mason jars. Cut 4 strips of red or green felt, each 1 1/4 inches by 18 inches. Snip fringe into the ends of the felt with scissors. Wrap a felt scarf around the neck of each jar.
• Put the milk, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, allspice and banana in a blender and blend on high speed until the banana liquifies and the drink is thick and creamy. Pour into the decorated jars and mound whipped cream on top of each drink so it's taller than the rim. Grate more nutmeg on top. Insert a straw and sprinkle confectioners' sugar snow over everything.

MOCHA POTS DE CRèME

Steps:

• Put the chocolate in a blender. Whisk the milk, heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar, espresso powder and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a heatproof spatula, until the mixture is thick enough to coat the spatula and almost boiling, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Immediately pour the milk mixture over the chocolate in the blender. Cover and hold the lid down with a thick kitchen towel; blend until combined and smooth, stopping to scrape down the blender as needed. Divide the chocolate mixture among eight 4-ounce ramekins. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours. Top with chopped chocolate-covered espresso beans.

ALMOST-FAMOUS MOCHA FRAPPES

Steps:

• Make the coffee ice: Stir the sugar into the coffee until dissolved, then let cool. Pour into a 16-cube ice-cube tray and freeze until solid, about 3 hours.
• Make the chocolate syrup: Combine the sugar and cocoa powder in a saucepan and slowly whisk in 2/3 cup hot water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking, until the sugar dissolves, 3 to 5 minutes; do not boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate, honey and vanilla until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until cool.
• Make the frappes: Puree 8 coffee ice cubes, 1/2 cup milk, 1/3 to 1/2 cup chocolate syrup and 1 cup plain ice in a blender until smooth. Pour into 2 glasses, then repeat to make 2 more drinks. Top with whipped cream and more chocolate syrup.