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Hot Chocolate: The Perfect Comfort Food for Winters
Hot chocolate is like a warm and cozy hug from the inside on a cruel winter night. People tend to use the terms hot chocolate and hot cocoa as the same but the difference is that hot cocoa is made from the cocoa powder when the chocolate is pressed free of its richness whereas hot chocolate is made from chocolate bars melted into yummy cream. It is a richer drink than hot cocoa which is simply the fat of cocoa butter.
The originally hot chocolate recipe was made by mixing ground cocoa beans with water, wine and chile peppers which were later added with sugar to sweeten it by the Spaniards. When the English started drinking it they added milk to it. To make it more interesting one can add whipped cream or marshmallows to it and drink it after dinner as a dessert.
We might think that chocolate drinks are a recent thing but they go back to Maya times about 2500 to 3000 years ago. It was a part of the Aztec culture by 1400 AD and gained popularity in Europe and has evolved since then. It is also used as a medicine to treat liver and stomach diseases effectively.
Now you can easily find it in powder form which is mixed with hot water or buy gourmet varieties in restaurants. If you like hot chocolate you'll love the hot chocolate dessert recipes given below. You can make these recipes this winter and make your family a happy family.
6 Great Benefits You May Not Know About
Drinking hot chocolate can have great benefits for health due to its cocoa beans. Raw cocoa is rich in antioxidants like polyphenols which lowers blood pressure and blood sugar. It also lowers cholesterol and reduces inflammation which is great for the skin.
- Drinking hot chocolate is great for our hearts. When you mix hot cocoa with milk it protects the heart from strokes. According to a study in the UK it was seen that chocolate has more antioxidants than green tea therefore drink it up to keep your heart pumping.
- Milk is fortified with Vitamin D and has a great amount of Vitamin A which is great for the skin. People who have sensitive skin or are allergic to dairy products may not agree to it but chocolate has flavonoids in it and when mixed with milk can be good for the skin in many ways.
- Hot chocolate increases the blood flow which means better oxygen to the brain. It is believed that a cup of hot chocolate can make your brain sharper. Another brain ailment is dementia which is caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain and drinking hot chocolate can actually help is reducing its effects.
- Cocoa has tannins which is packed with oxalic acid. It reduces acid production and plaque growth. This prevents tooth decay if you practice good dental hygiene. It also has theobromine which hardens the enamel and prevents discoloration. It also kills Streptococcus mutans which is a bacteria that causes cavities but it only works if the drink is closer to the confection to the beans.
- Sportspeople should surely drink chocolate milk because the carbohydrate and sugars help in replenishing glycogen stores and milk in the drink helps in repairing muscle damage.
- If being a woman you feel that your sexual desires are suppressed due to any reason then consumption of chocolate can help you. Chocolate has been known to be an aphrodisiac that helps in alleviating sexual functions in women.
More Than Just a Yummy Hot Drink: 8 Hot chocolate Dessert Recipes
Here are some delicious hot chocolate dessert recipes you can treat your family with this winter and keep them healthy as well. These desserts are easy to make and will be loved by everyone who eats it.
Hot Chocolate Float
Hot chocolate float is a delicious way to end your day on a cold winter night. Thick, creamy hot chocolate on ice cream topped with whipped cream and delicious hot fudge is all you need to warm yourself up. Here is how you make it.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup half and a half
- ¼ teaspoons instant espresso or coffee powder such as Nescafe
- ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 4 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate
- Brown sugar (to taste)
- A pinch of salt
- Two scoops of vanilla ice-cream
- Whipped cream
- Hot fudge
Method:
- Mix milk, half and half, sugar, instant coffee powder, vanilla and salt in a sauce pan and bring it to a boil
- Simmer the heat and add in chocolate, mix well
- Add in two scoops of ice cream to a mug
- Pour in hot chocolate on it and garnish it with whipped cream and hot fudge.
Hot Chocolate Pancake
Hot chocolate pancakes are loved by kids and make a delicious breakfast. It has rich chocolate buttermilk pancake with chocolate fudge topping and marshmallows for toppings.
Ingredients
For the fudge topping:
3/4 cup (128 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream
For the pancakes:
1 cup (127 grams) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup (66 grams) granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 large egg
1 1/4 cups buttermilk or whole milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Mini marshmallows, for garnish
Method for topping:
1. Take chocolate chips and cream in a microwave safe bowl and heat it till it melts. Keep it aside.
Method for pancakes:
1. Put flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a bowl
2. In a different bowl add egg, buttermilk and melted butter.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix but do not over mix it. Keep aside for 30 minutes
4. Take a nonstick pan and coat it with butter.
5. Put in 1/4 cup of batter on it and cook till you see the edges are set and bubbles have formed on the top
6. Flip it and cook for 2 minutes
7. Stack all the pancakes and top it with the fudge sauce and mini marshmallows to serve as a Christmas breakfast.
Hot Cocoa Souffle
If you like making souffle then try this hot cocoa souffle for a lightweight but delicious dessert loved by all.
Ingredients
- 5 large eggs
- 4 teaspoons plus 3/4 cup sugar, divided
- 1/2 cup baking cocoa
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1-1/2 cups fat-free milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Confectioners' sugar, optional
Method
- Start with separating eggs and keep them at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Spray a souffle dish with cooking spray and sprinkle with 4 tsp of sugar, keep it aside
- Take a pan and add cocoa, flour, salt and remaining sugar, milk and boil it while stirring it
- Cook for a couple of minutes and stir in the butter.
- Transfer it to a larger bowl.
- Add a little hot mixture into egg yolks and return it all to the main bowl while stirring constantly. Add in vanilla .
- Take another bowl and beat the egg whites until you see stiff peaks forming. Stir a fourth of the egg whites in the chocolate mixture and mix well, then add the rest to it.
- Transfer it to a prepared dish and bake at 350 degree for around 45 minutes or until you see the top puff up.
- Remove and dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately.
Hot Cocoa Poke Cake
Another great hot cocoa dessert is this delicious poke cake. It is easy to make and makes a wonderful dessert after a hearty meal.
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix, plus ingredients called for on the box
- 2 c. marshmallow creme
- 1 tbsp. water
- 2 c. heavy cream
- 2 packets hot cocoa mix
- 1/4 c. marshmallow bits
- 2 tbsp. chocolate shavings
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9"-x-13” pan.
- Now prepare your cake mix as per the instructions on the package and bake it for about 25 minutes .
- Poke the cake with a wooden spoon and keep it aside.
- Heat marshmallow crème and water for 10 seconds.
- Pour it on the cake and fill the holes in it.
- Take a bowl and mix heavy cream and hot cocoa mix .
- Use a hand mixer and beat it till you see soft peaks forming on it .
- Frost the cake with it and garnish it with marshmallow bits and chocolate shavings and serve.
Hot Chocolate Pudding
Hot Chocolate Pudding is a great treat for kids as well as adults. This pudding is extremely easy to make with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 Servings
- 2 egg
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 2 1/4 cup low-fat milk
- Salt as required
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
Method:
- Whisk one egg and 1 1/2 cup of milk with 1/3 cup of sugar.
- Transfer it to a medium pan and cook on medium flame, stirring occasionally.
- Take another bowl and whisk the rest of the milk and sugar, add cocoa and cornstarch in it and mix well.
- Pour the cocoa mix into the simmering mixture and boil on medium flame while stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and keep it aside.
- Take a bowl and whisk the rest of the egg with 1 cup of hot cocoa mix. Add this mixture to the pan and cook on medium-low flame while stirring but don't let it boil.
- Fold in the vanilla essence and remove from heat.
- Pour it in serving bowls and garnish with whipped cream, serve immediately.
Hot Chocolate Tiramisu
If you want to please the kids in the family then making this delicious hot chocolate tiramisu is a great way of doing it. Though a little involved, the flavours of this recipe are well worth the effort.
Ladyfinger sponge cake:
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 large eggs, separated
- 1/3 cup sugar
- Powdered sugar – for dusting
Filling:
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 6 ounces whipped cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Hot Chocolate:
- 8 ounces hot water
- 6 tablespoons favourite hot chocolate mix
- Cocoa powder for topping
Method for hot chocolate mixture:
- Mix together hot chocolate and set aside, you want it at room temperature when we add it to the ladyfinger cake.
For Ladyfingers:
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Add flour and cornstarch together.
- Separate the eggs and keep them in separate bowls .
- Beat the egg whites till you see soft peaks forming and add in sugar gradually, beat till firm peaks are formed .
- Whisk the egg yolks and add 1/4 of the whipped egg mixture in the yolk mixture, mix well .
- Simply fold them avoiding it to deflate .
- Take a cookie sheet and line it with parchment paper, spray it with cooking spray .
- Put the batter in a piping bag and pipe in straight lines next to each other .
- Dust it with powder sugar and let the batter rest for 15 minutes before baking .
- Bake for 10 minutes or till the top is of golden colour .
- Remove and let it cool.
Method for filling:
- Take a bowl and add whipped cream and powdered sugar in it till medium peaks are formed.
- Add cream cheese and whisk till fluffy
Method for assembly:
- Take a pan of your choice and add the first layer of ladyfinger cake on it.
- Take 1/2 of the hot chocolate mixture and add it to the cake .
- Pipe in 1/2 of the whipped filling .
- Put the second layer of the cake and add 1/2 of the chocolate mixture on it and pipe the remaining filling mixture on it.
- Dust cocoa powder on it .
- Put in the fridge and serve when needed.
Hot Chocolate Cookies
These hot chocolate cookies can be a perfect dessert for your family this winter.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 12 ounces Semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/4 cups Light brown sugar
- 3 large Eggs
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 Baking powder
- 1/4 Salt
- 8 ounces Dark chocolate
- 12 large marshmallows
Method:
- Start with melting chocolate chips and butter in a microwave.
- Add sugar, vanilla and eggs to it.
- Stir in the dry ingredients, cover it and let it chill for 2 hours.
- Roll the dough and bake for 10 minutes.
- Put chunks of dark chocolate in the center of the cookies and put half a marshmallow.
- Put it back in the oven and bake till the chocolate chunks melt and the marshmallows puff up.
- Remove and let it cool for 10 minutes and serve.
Hot Cocoa Pudding Shots
Want to add a boozy effect to your hot chocolate then make these hot cocoa pudding shots for the next party.
Ingredients
- 1 package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 packet hot cocoa mix
- ⅔ c. whole milk
- ⅔ c. Baileys Irish Cream
- ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
- Whipped cream, for serving
- Cocoa powder, for serving
- Marshmallow bits, for serving
Method:
- Take a bowl and put in chocolate pudding and cocoa mix with milk.
- Mix well and add Baileys and vanilla, mix again.
- Pour it in cups and place them in the fridge for about 2 hours .
- Top it with whipped cream and sprinkle cocoa powder and marshmallow bits before serving.
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Be Creative with Colour.
A splash of colour can bring your desserts to life. Employ tricks to add some magic to the presentation. Consider the eater when adding finishing touches to your dessert plate. While whole nuts might look pretty scattered on top of a cake, they are impossible to spear with a dessert fork. Keep in mind how the garnish will function on the finished plate. It can be confusing to see a different presentation on each plate, and nobody likes looking over to the plate across the table and seeing a serving double the size.