Description
Tini’s Hot Chocolate is a rich and creamy drink featuring a smooth blend of whole milk, heavy cream, cocoa powder, and bittersweet chocolate, topped with a refreshing peppermint whipped cream. Perfect for a cozy treat, this recipe balances indulgence with a hint of minty freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Hot Chocolate
- 1½ cups whole milk 360mL
- ½ cup heavy cream 120mL
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder 28g, Dutch-processed or unsweetened
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar 42g
- 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped, at least 70% cocoa
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
Peppermint Whipped Cream
- ½ cup heavy cream 120mL
- 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.
- Incorporate Cocoa Powder: Sift in 3 tablespoons cocoa powder into the milk and cream 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 melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add Vanilla: Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste and continue to heat 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 preference.
- Serve: Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and top with the peppermint whipped cream. Garnish with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or crushed peppermint candy if desired before serving.
Notes
- Use either unsweetened or Dutch-process cocoa powder based on availability and preference.
- Whip the cream to soft peaks for a melt-in-your-mouth texture or stiff peaks for decorative piping.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute milk and cream with plant-based alternatives.
- Chocolate quality greatly affects flavor; choose high-quality bittersweet chocolate for best results.
- Garnish options like chocolate shavings or crushed peppermint add extra texture and festive appeal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
