Winter Dream Hot Chocolate

With the warmth of spring still a ways off, here’s an adult hot chocolate recipe that will warm you to your toes. It doubles as dessert and an after dinner drink all in one. To hot chocolate add Amaretto and Baileys liqueurs, then top with whipped cream and a dusting of nutmeg and chocolate shavings. Like it’s name, it really is a winter dream.

Dutch Cocoa for Hot Chocolate

Start with making hot chocolate. I use milk and Penzeys smooth, rich, dark Dutch cocoa. Dutch cocoa is processed to make it blend more easily with liquids. It’s an excellent choice for making hot chocolate and things like ice cream bases, and sauces.

Whip it Good

The recipe calls for topping the drink with whipped cream. I use a neat tool called an Isi Thermo Whipper. Yes, it’s a bit of an indulgence when it comes to tools, but you can do more with it than just whip cream. You can also whip cream by hand, with a hand mixer or with an immersion blender with the whisk attachment. Or take the easy way and get a can of whipped cream.

While the weather is still chilly and the fireplace is flickering, try ending an evening with this warm, chocolaty indulgence.

Note for a healthier version: skip the alcohol and whipped cream and simply make hot chocolate with low fat milk, cocoa, cinnamon, and a little vanilla along with a little sweetener for a healthier option. The homemade almond milk could be good too, and that would even be non-dairy for those with dairy sensitivities or vegans.

Winter Dream Hot Chocolate: Park City, UT

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Rich and indulgent, this adult hot chocolate drink can double as dessert and an after dinner drink. It will warm you to your toes. My thanks to the St Regis Resort, Deer Valley, Utah for their recipe, which I’ve adapted. Adjust the sweetness and chocolate to your taste preference.

Serves 2

Ingredients

My Hot Chocolate

2 cups  (half liter) of whole milk

3  tablespoons unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder

2-3 teaspoons of agave syrup or preferred sweetener (sugar, rice bran syrup, coconut crystals)

A pinch of ground cinnamon

St Regis Winter Dream Additions

3 tablespoons Amaretto liqueur

3 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream liqueur

1/2 cup cold, heavy cream to whip for the topping (the smallest you can buy is a half-pint, you won’t need it all)

Grated nutmeg to garnish, optional

Directions

1) In a small to medium saucepan, bring milk to just under a boil, then turn the heat down to low. Whisk in the cocoa powder, sweetener and cinnamon until smooth.

2) Add half of each liqueur into two tall mugs. Carefully pour in the hot chocolate. Top with a little whipped cream, or a lot! Garnish with grated nutmeg.