Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Thursday, October 7, 2010

The Hot Chocolate Experiment, Attempt One

Two winters ago, I fell in love with Williams-Sonoma's hot chocolate.  I love good hot chocolate, but they really suckered me into purchasing it with their cutesy tin.  Then my family came to visit and I realized it took an entire $20 can of the stuff to serve our whole bunch (Dad may have had seconds...or thirds...).  So on and off for the next two years, I've grumbled about this--refusing to purchase more, yet wanting the rich hot chocolate.  What makes this particular type of hot chocolate so good is the fact that you're not using powdered cocoa, but milk and CHOCOLATE SHAVINGS!  I don't know about you, but when I want hot chocolate I want it to be rich!  I'm not trying to tone anything down or be healthy here, so proceed at your own risk.  Make it and let me know what you think!


Ridiculously Rich Hot Chocolate
makes 2 mugs

1 regular-sized chocolate bar (I used Hershey since I had it in my pantry)
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups milk
MARSHMALLOWS!

Break the chocolate bar into small pieces.  Put pieces and sweetened condensed milk in a medium saucepan.  Whisk ingredients until melted.  Use low heat so as not to scorch the chocolate or milk!  Add milk and continue to heat.  Stir very often to discourage the skin that forms on top of cooking milk.  Do not allow to fully boil.  Add vanilla extract and stir thoroughly.  

Pour into mugs and add marshmallows to serve (I put the marshmallows in the bottom and pour the hot chocolate over them so they melt more).