No matter how I write this article, you won’t find a vegetable in sight… This hot chocolate recipe is pure indulgence and will make a sweet hostess gift, a surprise treat for anyone who simply enjoys drinking chocolate, or even just a special drink for you to spoil yourself at any time of the year.
Hot chocolate is the only hot drink our children will swig back and the only dairy our teen daughter will eat drink so we usually buy the pre-made version, which, even to my chocoholic pallet, doesn’t really taste of chocolate at all. Ever since we watched Jamie Oliver make this mix in his snowy garden over a warm log fire, I’ve promised to buy the ingredients to replicate it. This Christmas our children are in for a surprise (they don’t read my blog 😉 as I’ve really enjoyed finding all the bits and pieces to put together a little Christmas Eve treat for them, in what may become a new holiday tradition.
Hot Chocolate Recipe
To make enough hot chocolate mixture to make five little jars as pictured above, you’ll need:
200g dark chocolate, preferably 75% cocoa solids
8 tablespoons good quality cocoa powder (look out for Fairtrade)
6 tablespoons icing sugar
4 tablespoons cornflower
4 tablespoons malted drink, such as Horlicks
A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg
A pinch of rock salt
Method
Break the chocolate into pieces and place into a food processor. Whiz until the chocolate is finely chopped. If you don’t have a food processor you can finely grate the chocolate but it may take a while! When the chocolate has been chopped, add the rest of the ingredients and mix until fully combined.
To Make the Hot Chocolate Drink
Add two heaped tablespoons of chocolate mixture to a mug of hot milk and stir until fully mixed. For an extra treat, add a spoonful of whipped cream to the top of the hot drink, sprinkle with marshmallows and finish off with a dusting of cocoa powder.
To Make Up A Hot Chocolate Gift Pack
Fill a clear spice jar with hot chocolate mix, another with marshmallows and a third with candy canes or flaked chocolate. Wrap together in brown paper with a mug and a mini whisk or spoon and for an extra treat, add some homemade gingerbread – the recipe can be found here. Tie together with festive ribbon and instructions on how to make the hot chocolate drink.
Do you make homemade gifts for friends, family or neighbours? What do your gift packets include?
4 Comments
You have my mouth watering now Dee… I’m going to persuade my sister in law to make it 😉
I’m not a hot chocolate fan Amanda but this recipe might have changed my mind. Hope you have good persuasive powers, it would be a shame not to try it!
My daughter loves hot chocolates so I think we will have to get these ingredients and give it a go. Perfect for indulging over Xmas 🙂
I found the Horlicks in Tesco eventually after a bit of searching around. It’s very tasty! Can’t wait to see their faces when they see their little packs 🙂