Rich Hot Chocolate

Name: Rich Hot Chocolate
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2 servings.
Ingredients: 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream; 1 cup 2% milk; 4 ounces dark chocolate candy bar, chopped; 3 tablespoons sugar; Vanilla rum, optional; Sweetened heavy whipping cream, whipped

Each winter in early February my friends and I gather for an outdoor show called Mittenfest. We skip the bloody mary's and fill our thermoses with these hot cocoas instead.

Ingredients

2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup 2% milk
4 ounces dark chocolate candy bar, chopped
3 tablespoons sugar
Vanilla rum, optional
Sweetened heavy whipping cream, whipped

Directions

In a small saucepan, heat heavy whipping cream, milk, chocolate and sugar over medium heat just until mixture comes to a simmer, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir until smooth. If desired, add rum. Pour into a mug; top with sweetened whipped cream.

Pumpkin-Spiced Cocoa: Heat 2/3 cup heavy cream, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup white baking chips, 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice over medium heat just until mixture comes to a simmer, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in until smooth. If desired, add 3 ounces Rumchata liqueur.

Toasted Coconut Cocoa: Heat 1 can coconut milk, ½ cup milk , 2/3 cup chocolate chips, and 2 tablespoons sugar over medium heat just until mixture comes to a simmer, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir until smooth. If desired, add 3 ounces Malibu rum.

Spicy Cinnamon Cocoa: Heat 2/3 cup heavy cream, 1 cup milk, 2/3 cups chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper over medium heat just until mixture comes to a simmer, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir until smooth. If desired, add 3 ounces cinnamon whisky.

Chocolate-Orange Cocoa: Heat 2/3 cup heavy cream, 1 cup milk, 2/3 cup chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon grated orange peel over medium heat just until mixture comes to a simmer, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir until smooth. If desired, add 3 ounces Cointreau liqueur.