Description
Tini’s Hot Chocolate is a rich and creamy beverage made with whole milk, heavy cream, and bittersweet chocolate, sweetened with cocoa powder and sugar, and flavored with vanilla. It’s topped with a festive peppermint whipped cream for a delightful chocolate treat perfect for cozy moments.
Ingredients
Scale
Hot Chocolate
- 1½ cups whole milk (360 mL)
- ½ cup heavy cream (120 mL)
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder (28 g), Dutch-processed or unsweetened
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (42 g)
- 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped, at least 70% cocoa
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
Peppermint Whipped Cream
- ½ cup heavy cream (120 mL)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, sifted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
Instructions
- Heat Milk and Cream: Add 1½ cups whole milk and ½ cup heavy cream to a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until steam begins to come off the top, but it is not yet simmering.
- Add Cocoa Powder: Sift in 3 tablespoons cocoa powder into the milk and cream mixture and whisk until fully incorporated.
- Add Sugar: Add 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
- Melt Chocolate: Add 2 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate in two parts, stirring after each addition until completely melted.
- Add Vanilla: Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste and continue heating for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Peppermint Whipped Cream: In a medium bowl, add ½ cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste, and ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract. Whisk or beat with a hand mixer until soft or stiff peaks form, depending on desired consistency.
- Assemble Drink: Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and top with peppermint whipped cream. Garnish with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or crushed peppermint candy if desired before serving.
Notes
- The recipe can be made with either unsweetened or Dutch-process cocoa powder.
- For a richer hot chocolate, use Dutch-processed cocoa and bittersweet chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content.
- Adjust whipped cream stiffness according to preference: soft peaks for a smooth melt, stiff peaks for piping and slower melting.
- Optional garnishes include chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or crushed peppermint candy for extra flavor and decoration.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 65 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
