When the temperatures drop outside and you need to warm up under a blanket, don’t forget to grab a cup of hot chocolate. After many hours of trial and error, we have finally found the recipe for the perfect mug of hot chocolate. Plus, we have included your favorite toppings, like marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, and more! Read on to try our recipe!
The Perfect Hot Chocolate Ingredients
You have to have high-quality ingredients to make the perfect cup of hot chocolate. Follow these tips to finding the perfect ingredients for you.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy hot chocolate fix, try this 10-Pack of Swiss Miss Classics Hot Cocoa with Marshmallows!
Chocolate
I prefer dark chocolate, but your tastes may be different. The most important thing, you should splurge on the chocolate part of your recipe. It is the most important ingredient, so be sure to pick out a chocolate that will melt well and has a unique, delicious flavor.
You can choose to use solid or powdered chocolate. But, beware! You should check the back of the packaging to ensure it is made from real chocolate instead of cocoa powder.
Cocoa powder isn’t bad necessarily, but it’s merely a byproduct of making chocolate. You’ll have better results and a tastier cup of hot chocolate if you make it with the real thing.
Milk
If you haven’t been adding milk to your hot chocolate, you’re doing it wrong. Traditionally, whole milk is used this drink recipe. Whole milk gives this drink more a creamy texture.
Some folks have started using a bit of double cream with their milk (1:6). This makes the drink into strictly a dessert for those of us that appreciate a bit of bitter taste to the beverage.
When you are mixing the chocolate with the milk, be sure you are using hot milk. If you mix the two together while still hot, it brings out more of the flavor in the chocolate. Doing this little trick will amplify the flavor of any cup.
Additives
The additives really turn a plain-jane hot chocolate into a work of art. Add any of the following to boost your presentation and flavor:
- Marshmallows
- Whipped Cream
- Sprinkles
- Cinnamon
- Pumpkin Spice
- Brown Sugar
Rural King’s Perfect Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients:
1 oz semisweet or dark chocolate- 1 Tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 Cup Whole Milk
- 3 Tbsp Granulated Sugar (optional, to taste)
- 1 Pinch Salt
- Marshmallows (optional)
- Whipped Cream (optional)
- Chocolate Syrup Drizzle (optional)
Directions:
- Mix your chocolate, cocoa powder, and 1/2 of your milk in a saucepan over low heat. Stir until the chocolate melts.
- Add the other 1/2 cup of milk and your salt. The salt takes the bitterness out of the dark chocolate. Continue to stir, then heat the rest of the way through.
- Once your mixture is complete, give it a taste. Add sugar as you need. Pour into individual mugs and top with marshmallows, whipped cream, and a chocolate syrup drizzle
What’s Your Favorite Drink to Warm You Up?
What drink do you make when you need to warm up after a cold evening? Tea? Hot Chocolate? Coffee? Let me know in the comment section at the end of this article.
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For more Rural King recipes, be sure to visit our Recipe Category!