Easy Hot Chocolate Recipe using a Chocolate Bar
Smooth, warming and intensely chocolatey, this easy hot chocolate recipe make a really welcome comforting drink. It's made in mere minutes and then you're ready to sit, put your feet up and enjoy.
Servings: 1
Equipment
- small saucepan
- small whisk
Ingredients
- 1 cup semi-skimmed milk use your preferred type. Oat milk and almond milk work well.
- 2 ounces chocolate bar (70% cocoa solids for best results) roughly chopped (this helps it to melt into the milk faster)
- 1 teaspoon sugar optional, to suit your personal taste
Instructions
- Warm the milk (you may use dairy or non-dairy versions) but be careful not to boil it. Milk proteins do not like being boiled and the milk will take on a ‘grainy’ look if it is overheated. You can do this in a small saucepan or in the microwave. Heat it until it is just steaming.
- In the meantime, chop the chocolate into small pieces. This makes it quicker and easier for it to melt into the milk.
- Once the milk is at temperature, turn off the heat (or take it out of the microwave) and add the chopped up chocolate. Whisk with a small hand whisk until it has all melted into the milk.
- Taste briefly to see if you need sweetener and add a teaspoon of sugar if you think it requires it.
- Pour into a cup and add any other accompaniments such as marshmallows or whipped cream. Serve and enjoy
Notes
Note: Nutritional Information is computer generated and is intended as a guideline only.
Variations on the main recipe
There are a few things that you can do to this basic recipe to ring the changes.
- Add a few drops of orange extract for Chocolate Orange hot chocolate.
- Add a few drops of peppermint extract for a wonderful Hot Mint Chocolate drink.
- How about a spiced cinnamon version? Simmer the milk (don’t boil it ), with a cinnamon stick to flavour the milk.
- Fancy a boozy version? Well if you do you could add a drop of your favourite liqueur such as Ameretto with its distinctive almond flavour or a drop of brandy or rum. Your choice.
- Tiny marshmallows that have been made specially for adding to the top of warm drinks such as coffee and hot chocolate. (vegan versions are available)
- Whipped cream, adds a little gorgeousness and it looks even better if you grate a little chocolate over the top.
- Take a few minutes to read through the instructions. There isn’t much that can go wrong but it’ll help you make a great hot chocolate.
- Do not use chocolate chips. This might seem like a great way to cut out a step (the chopping of the chocolate bar) but chocolate chips often contain stabilisers to help them stay whole in recipes such as Chocolate Chip cookies.This looks pretty in the cookies but won’t melt easily to make a great cup of cocoa.
- Taste before adding sweetener. If you’re like me and your favourite chocolate is bittersweet like a 70% cocoa solids bar will be then you may not need the sweetness.
- Try and avoid boiling the milk for the best, smooth, velvetty hot chocolate drink.
Did you make this? Mention @thesimplerkitchen or tag #thesimplerkitchen!
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 122mg | Potassium: 736mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 263IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 325mg | Iron: 7mg