Creamy Hot Chocolate for Adults

It has been so cold this week. Ridiculously so, for this area. When it gets like this, there are two things I love (the cold not being one of them, lol). Number one is my grandma’s hot chocolate and number two is a fire in the fireplace. The list is much longer and definitely includes chili and snickerdoodles, but for today we’re going to focus on the fireplace and hot chocolate 😉

Hot chocolate is a staple for the winter experience. Let’s talk about our winter experience this year. This has been crazy. IT SNOWED. Here. At my house. In south Texas. Snow! My brussel sprouts and broccoli are in hog heaven. Whereas, the peppers and tomatoes are irritated with this ordeal. Thankfully there was a lot of firewood and a lot laughter as snowmen were built.

The hardest part of taking pictures of a dreary winter day is standing outside in a dreary winter day! I personally believe I should’ve earned extra hot chocolate for the task. Or at least extra marshmallows.

I love this recipe for the memories it brings up. When I was little, Grandma would make hot chocolate while Paw Paw would go outside and chop wood to supply the fire. She would have it poured and ready for him as soon as he came inside and fed the fire. I loved the act of love I saw when she handed him the thick mug full of steaming chocolate and fluffy homemade marshmallows. Grandma would pull his gloves off, kiss his cold fingers, tell him to go get warm in front of his fire and then bring him hot chocolate and a snickerdoodle cookie. He would drink it, debate with himself about this being the coldest winter ever and then promptly fall asleep. I find myself grinning every time I fix hot chocolate and sit in front of our fireplace because this memory warms me with love.

This is a very easy, thick and rich recipe that you can increase to make a large batch in a crock pot, or drink immediately. For the adults in the room, you can even add some Bourbon for an adult party beverage. If adding alcohol, use a crockpot and make sure to stir every thrity minutes or so (if it lasts that long) to prevent a film forming on the top.

GOOD FOOD. GOOD FRIENDS. GOOD TIMES

This is a very easy, thick and rich recipe that you can increase to make a large batch in a crock pot, or drink immediately. For the adults in the room, a good Bourbon makes this a smooth and delicious adult party beverage. If adding alcohol, use a crockpot and make sure to stir every thirty minutes or so (if it lasts that long) to prevent a film forming on the top.

Creamy Hot Chocolate for Adults

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Serves: 8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 3 hours

Ingredients

6 cups whole milk
1 ½ cups heavy cream
½ cup dark chocolate cocoa powder
2 teaspoon espresso powder
2 4oz Ghirardelli’s 60% cacao bars, chopped
1 cup Bourbon, optional
Marshmallows or whipped cream, for topping

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, over medium, combine whole milk, heavy cream and espresso powder. Heat until small bubbles appear around the edges. Do not allow to boil!
2. Remove from heat and stir in chopped chocolate until melted. Whisk in cocoa powder and but back on stove until bubbles form around the edges.  Turn off heat and spoon into mugs.
3. Top with homemade marshmallows or whipped cream. Sprinkle chopped chocolate on top.

1. Alcoholic version:

   1. Add all ingredients, except bourbon, into crock pot on Low. Whisk until your arm feels like it’s going to fall off (about 2 minutes). We’re making sure that the cocoa powder is mixed well.
   2. Let cook on low about 20-30 minutes, until chocolate has melted. Slowly stir in bourbon and lower crockpot to Warm.
   3. Make sure you stir every 30-45 minutes to eliminate a film on the top and ensure the chocolate isn’t burning on the bottom. Cook for 3 hours and serve.

    

Notes

Recipe will double and triple easily. One large (6 Quart) crockpot will hold 3 batches.