as the days get shorter, and the chunky sweaters come out of hibernation, there is nothing i crave more than a cozy and creamy cup of hot chocolate. as an avid “piece of chocolate before bed” kind of girl, this indulgent drink warms my soul more than any pair of fuzzy wool socks ever could.
a few years ago, i discovered how simple it was to make without the need of a powdered mix and i have never looked back. this recipe is perfect because you can customize it to your liking: like it a little sweeter? use semi-sweet or milk chocolate in place of dark chocolate. feeling a little spicy? add a dash of cinnamon and tiny pinch of cayenne pepper for a mexican chocolate inspired cup. the options are endless. my go to includes topping my mug with a signature flourish marshmallow and allowing it to slowly melt over the top of my drink. it will keep the structure of a pillowy marshmallow fluff which allows you to enjoy the marshmallow with every sip without the worry of them disintegrating before you can properly get cuddled up on the couch.
holiday hot chocolate
ingredients:
- 1 cup of milk of your choice (I utilize 2%, but oat milk or coconut milk will get you a similar texture)
- 1/3 cup of dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of espresso powder
- splash of vanilla extract
instructions:
pour milk into a saucepan and set on stovetop over medium low heat. allow milk to slowly warm up (1-2 minutes) but do not heat too fast or it may scald.
once milk has fully warmed up, mix in chocolate chips, cocoa powder, and espresso powder. allow the heat from the milk to melt chocolate chips (1-2 minutes). whisk until fully combined and remove from heat. splash in vanilla extract and stir.
immediately ladle hot cocoa into mug, add any toppings, and enjoy!
if you tried this recipe, please leave a review and let me know what you think!
Flourish Bakery & Company 