Make Ahead Hot Chocolate

The last couple of days have been a whirlwind!  On Monday Mac had surgery.  It was a minor surgery, but he's my baby and I was a nervous wreck!  He came thru with flying colors and is recovering nicely.  Tuesday, I had a follow up appointment with my Ear Nose and Throat Dr. to check how things are progressing after a sinus surgery I had in July.  For the second time since surgery the Dr. had to do a procedure in the office that is not pleasant.  It's fairly quick but I end up feeling awful after.   So today I'm back on track!  Thank goodness!  And since I'm back on track that means a new recipe to share.  


Do you like the convenience of instant hot chocolate but really miss the taste of homemade hot chocolate using REAL chocolate?  I did!  Well Cooks Country magazine has done it again with a great recipe that I will keep forever!  It's so easy!  Have I shared with you how I like really easy recipes!  LOVE THEM :-) !


PRINTABLE RECIPE
Make Ahead Hot Chocolate
1- 12ounce bag of chocolate chips 
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt

Put chocolate chips, heavy cream, and salt in a microwave safe bowl.  

Cook at full power for 2 minutes stirring occasionally.  Continue heating and stirring until smooth.  This should only take 2 to 3 minutes max.  

Cover and place in the fridge until firm, 2 to 4 hours.  Lay out a long piece of plastic wrap and divide the chocolate mixture into 10 even amounts leaving room in between to cut the plastic and then roll up the chocolate. Hint - A cookie scoop worked great dividing the chocolate.  

Once all the chocolate is rolled up place the balls in a freezer bag and pop it in the freezer for future use.  

When you start craving some hot chocolate take out one chocolate ball, unwrap, and place in a coffee mug.  

Add 1 cup of milk and pop in the microwave for 2 minutes,stirring occasionally, or until warm and the chocolate is melted.  Again this should not take more than 3 minutes.   

Voila you have the best instant hot chocolate ever!

Having the inquisitive mind that I do I did a test using milk chocolate, semisweet chocolate, and bittersweet chocolate.  Here are my observations


Milk Chocolate - never really hardened up in the fridge.  Even in the freezer it never fully hardened.  This is a little problematic with the plastic wrapped but worked ok.  After heated in the milk it gave a slight hint of chocolate.  My least favorite.


Semisweet Chocolate - hardened up nicely and gave the milk a nice sweet and creamy flavor.  Very good.  Several friends that tasted it really liked it!


Bittersweet Chocolate - hardened up nicely and gave the milk a full chocolate flavor.  My favorite.  The hubby tasted it and said he could not tell a difference between the semisweet and bittersweet which really surprised me because he's not a dark chocolate eater.  


Let me know which one you like best!

Quote of the Day

In all of living have much fun and laughter.  Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.  ~Gordon B. Hinckley

Submitted by Aunt Peg

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Cheers,
Shannon


Make Ahead Hot Chocolate is a contributing post at:
Prairie Story Recipe Swap Thursday
Romantic Home Show and Tell Friday
Trends and Tips
The Trendy Treehouse New Friend Friday