Hot chocolate is a luxury of cold weather — a warm, velvety-smooth mixture of rich cream and dark chocolate that does double duty as a drink and dessert. Unlike its sweeter cousin, hot cocoa, hot chocolate is thick, with a balance of sweetness and bitterness that only dark chocolate can give. This homemade treat only requires a few ingredients and a few minutes on the stove top to warm up a cold evening. It’s not as though you’ve ever exactly needed direction towards a gigantic cup of hot chocolate when you’re suffering from PMS, but now you know you’re doing it for a good reason: chocolate can aid depression, and milk has been shown to aid in relief as well.
The Best Chocolate for Hot Chocolate
For this hot chocolate recipe, you’ll need about a candy bar’s worth of dark chocolate. Considering the small amount of chocolate and how it will affect the hot chocolate’s flavor, you should buy the best chocolate you can. Look for dark chocolate in the 60 percent range or higher.
INGREDIENTS
5 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 quart (4 cups) whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Whipped cream or cocoa powder, for serving (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine the chocolate, cocoa, and brown sugar: Whisk together the chocolate, cocoa powder, and sugar in a small saucepan. This helps break up any lumps in the cocoa or sugar.
Add the milk: Add the milk and set the saucepan over medium heat.
Bring to a simmer: Bring to a simmer, whisking occasionally, until hot and smooth, about 5 minutes.
Add the vanilla and salt: Add the vanilla and salt.
Serve: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa, if desired.
Excess stomach fat can be reduced by dairy, and dark chocolate can slow down the digestive process, creating a feeling of fullness. Together? A cup of hot cocoa can be a fat-busting snack. Comment down below if you like our recipe for hot chocolate!