French Hot Chocolate
There is hot chocolate, and then there is French Hot Chocolate. Rich, velvety and luxurious, you won't want to drink any other kind! Serve it in a vintage cup and saucer with a dollop of whipped cream for a grown up indulgent treat, or pour it into a mug and top with marshmallows to fulfil your sweet cravings this winter!
Ingredients
- 200 g high quality chocolate
- 1 l milk
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 250 ml whipping cream optional
- 1 tsp cinnamon optional
Instructions
- Start by warming up your milk until it is hot but not boiling. You need to keep an eye on the pan as milk tends to boil over very quickly.
- While the milk is warming, chop up your chocolate.
- Pour 200ml of milk into another saucepan and add the chocolate. Heat gently, stirring continuously, until the chocolate has melted.
- Slowly add the rest of the milk, stirring all the time. Add the vanilla and cinnamon, if using, and continue to cook on a very low heat for 10 mins. During those 10 mins keep stirring the hot chocolate. This is what will give it the velvety smooth texture.
- While the chocolate is cooking, make the whipped cream by pouring very cold whipping cream into a food processor with the whip attachment. Whip on high until the cream is well thickened and starting to hold its shape. Be careful not to over-whip the cream otherwise the texture will be grainy and it might even start to turn to butter! Notice that I do not add any sugar to the whipped cream as I find the hot chocolate sweet enough already.
- Serve the hot chocolate in your favourite cup or small mug with a dollop of whipped cream on top and enjoy this truly decadent treat! Only small portions of this drink are needed - it is extremely rich!