The Very Best Hot Chocolate Recipes

THE VERY BEST HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, heat 2 1/2 cups milk and 3/4 cup of the whipping cream over medium heat, stirring often until steaming.
• Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk together sugar, cocoa and salt.
• Whisk in remaining cold milk and vanilla to make a smooth paste.
• Reduce heat to medium low and gradually whisk cocoa mixture into hot milk mixture until blended. Heat for about two minutes or until steaming hot.
• In a small chilled bowl, using electric mixrer or whisk, whip remaining whipping cream until thick.
• Ladle hot chocolate into four warmed mugs and evenly dollop whipped cream evenly into each mug. Stir toswirl lightly.
• Serve immediately.
• Note: if desired add 1 teaspoon coffee or chocolate flavoured liquer and 1/2 cup strong coffee to each mug of hot chocolate before adding the whipped cream. This is purely optional.

THE BEST HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Place milk and half-and-half in a saucepan and heat to a simmer over medium heat.
• Meanwhile, stir together the cocoa powder, sugar, and cinnamon. A few teaspoons at a time, stir the hot milk into the cocoa mixture to make a smooth paste. Scrape the cocoa mixture into the saucepan with the milk and simmer 2 minutes; do not let it boil. Stir in the vanilla and keep warm in a thermos.
• Pour into small serving cups and place 4 mini-marshmallows on each serving or spritz them with whipped cream. Serve immediately.
• Make the marshmallows: Combine the water, the corn syrup, and the sugar in a saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer. Bring to a boil and boil to "soft-ball" stage, or about 235 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Sprinkle the gelatin over the 2 tablespoons water and let sponge.
• When the syrup reaches 235 degrees F, remove it from the heat, add the gelatin, and mix. Pour the syrup into the whipped egg whites. Add the vanilla and continue whipping until stiff.
• Cover a sheet pan with parchment paper then sprinkle it with powdered sugar. Pour the marshmallow onto the pan and spread it out. Let cool about 2 hours then with a pair of scissors dipped in cornstarch, cut out football shapes.

BEST EVER HOT COCOA MIX

Steps:

• Combine ingredients in large bowl.
• Working in two batches, pulse ingredients in food processor until chocolate is finely ground.
• Store in airtight container for up to 3 months.
• Too make hot cocoa, stir 1/3 cup of the mix into 1 cup of hot (not boiling) milk.
• Top with whipped cream or mini marshmallows and a little chocolate powder. I sometimes use cinnamon or nutmeg powder, instead. A little brandy and a crackling fire make for a real treat!