Proper hot chocolate: 4 Christmas variations
Prep: 5 min · Cook: 10 min · Makes: 4 mugs · For:
Coming in from the cold to a mug of real hot chocolate is one of the best feelings of winter. This version uses proper chocolate and a little cocoa, so it is rich and velvety, nothing like a powdered sachet.
Make the basic recipe, then try one of the four Christmas variations below.
4 Christmas variations
- Snowy white hot chocolate: use 100 g white chocolate instead of milk chocolate, leave out the cocoa, and top with mini marshmallows and a pinch of cinnamon.
- Gingerbread spice: whisk ½ tsp cinnamon, a pinch of ground ginger and a pinch of nutmeg into the cocoa paste.
- Chocolate orange: heat the milk with two strips of orange peel, then fish them out before adding the chocolate.
- Hot chocolate spoons: melt chocolate, pour it into an ice cube tray or small paper cups, push in a teaspoon and let it set. Stir one into a mug of hot milk. They make a lovely homemade gift.
A hot chocolate bar for a party
Put the hot chocolate in a big flask and set out bowls of toppings: whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles, grated chocolate and cinnamon sticks to stir.
Little helpers
Children can chop the chocolate with a child-safe knife, whisk the cocoa paste and choose the toppings. A grown-up looks after the hot pan.
Ingredients
- 800 ml whole milk
- 100 g milk or dark chocolate (or half of each)
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1-2 tbsp sugar, to taste
- a pinch of salt
- whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles (optional)
Method
- Chop the chocolate finely.
- In a pan, whisk the cocoa and sugar with a splash of the cold milk into a smooth paste, then whisk in the rest of the milk.
- Heat over a medium heat, stirring, until it is steaming but not boiling.
- Take the pan off the heat and stir in the chocolate and salt until it has melted. Put it back over a low heat for a minute and whisk until it is frothy.
- Taste and add a little more sugar if needed.
- Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and sprinkles. For young children, let it cool until it is just warm.
Questions
Can I make it with plant milk?
Yes. Oat milk gives the creamiest result. Use dairy-free chocolate and check it is suitable.
How hot should it be for children?
Warm, not hot. Let it cool for a few minutes and test it on the inside of your wrist like a baby's bottle. Use mugs with handles for little hands.
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