Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Make Ahead Hot Chocolate

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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



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
HookingupwithHoH




Tidy Mom I'm Lovin It Fridays















14 comments:

  1. What a great idea! We love hot chocolate. This is such a fun way to make it, and I bet it tastes great!

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  2. the next time it snows in my neck of the woods I am serving myself one of these!
    ~Becki

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  3. what a great idea! wow who would have ever thought! and sooo much better than the package stuff!
    visiting from new friend friday

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  4. That is such a great idea. And it looks like it makes a lot with such little effort. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Hopping over from New Friend Friday. I am your newest follower, come follow me back! This looks delicious and I bet I would love the bittersweet or semi sweet. This would be so nice to have ready in the freezer.

    Loved your Bitten by a VAmpire cupcakes too. They are sooo creative. Can't wait to get to know you better.

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  6. What an amazing idea. I didn't even know something like this was possible. Thank you for sharing this tip. Love that quote by Pres. Hinckley too. By the way, I'm holding a CSN giveaway on my blog and you're welcome to come by and enter. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2010/11/45-csn-giveaway.html

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  7. Such a great idea. Perfect for busy moms--or any chocolate lovers. Thanks so much for sharing on Momtrends. Yum!

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  8. I'm a dark chocolate girl myself... and I adore hot chocolate in general. Love this phenomenal recipe -- thanks for linking up to Friday Potluck!!

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  9. And, I hope that Mac is feeling better... my four-legged kids are my babies too, and I really hate it when they're hurting and not feeling good. Lucy-Lou sends her well wishes too for his quick recovery and return to all things wonderful and doggy soon. :)

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  10. What a BRILLIANT idea, because, heaven knows, when I want chocolate I want it NOW!

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  11. great idea, thanks for sharing! oh, anything with chocolate works for me, its sounds so delicious! happy weekend! btw, wishes for fast recovery for your son and hope you feeling better! :)

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  12. What a fabulous idea! I have never heard of this before. Thank you for sharing it with us. *hugs*

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  13. Yummy! I am so gonna use this recipe. I don't like to use prepackaged items - I prefer fresh - just don't always have the time to make it.

    Thanks for sharing this great tip and for linking to my party. I hope you will join me each week. I'll be spotlighting you in tonight's showcase.

    Also, just joined you as a follower.

    Blessings,
    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com

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