Every year, my children wait in eager anticipation for the hot chocolate station to open. It’s become a bit of a tradition in our household that our normal comforting mug of bedtime cocoa, becomes an all day, crazed, bulging sweet fest of indulgence which marks the beginning of the Christmas foray into over eating from the first weekend in December. I’m personally not normally a huge fan of drinking milk – hot or cold, but even I can’t resist the excitement of drinking something that really ought to carry the title of ‘Pudding’.
I’m sure that you all have your own way of making hot chocolate. Perhaps some of you even make it from scratch with cocoa powder or like my parents in Grenada, where they use pure cocoa balls made from cocoa beans grown in pods on their own land – you can’t get more organic than that…
However, my version (sorry Mum) comes straight out of a tin. Easy Peasy and no recipe needed, however, for those who wish to know – this is what I do.
Hill House Easy Peasy Chocolate Hottie
4 Heaped teaspoons of Hot Chocolate granules per mug (I’m partial to Green & Blacks organic Hot Chocolate, but whatever brand floats your boat), pour over 250ml of hot semi-skimmed milk and stir to make a thick, creamy mug of yumminess. (If I’m making a larger batch, I make it in a saucepan with 4 heaped tablespoons of chocolate and 1L semi skimmed milk) Squirt a huge dollop of cream in a swirl on top, add mixed chocolate sprinkles (mine are cake curl toppings from Tesco), a cinnamon stick and mini marshmallows. Pop in a minted candy cane for added deliciousness.
For the luxury, (as in adult – children have gone upstairs to bed) – version, add a shot of brandy and throw on a pinch of grated nutmeg.
Sit back. Enjoy. You’re Welcome.
Until Next Time…