Nothing beats a Warming Rich and Decadent Hot Chocolate on a cold winter day. It may be dark and cold outside, but holding that warm cup, sipping the liquid gold, everything is just better. It's rich in chocolate flavor, made with a few real ingredients and very simple to make.
So I am the type of girl that loves 'bad' weather (although in Norway we say there doesn't exist bad weather, only bad clothing - which is true). I say this because that day is the perfect excuse for a warming rich and decadent hot chocolate. Everything is dark, and we need something to comfort us. YAY.
As I live in a rainy part of Norway, I just can't do it during all dark and rainy days. However, I do it a lot. I just can't bear the thought of making that instant cocoa powder mixed with hot water. I simply don't see the point in it. If you are going to drink your calories - drink super tasty calories!
And this is my go-to-bad-weather drink!
However, sometimes I crave something a little fresher too, and that's when I make apple cider, grapefruit cider, hibiscus tea or this hot orange drink! This way we never get tired of anything!
Warming Rich and Decadent Hot Chocolate
What we need is dark chocolate, milk (preferably whole), unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla and perhaps more sugar if you prefer. That is it. When making hot chocolate with real chocolate, we need to keep the temperature down. Medium-low, as to not burn it.
In a medium saucepan, on medium low, stir the dark chocolate with milk. Once it's melted, add in the rest of your ingredients. I'd suggest adding 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder, give it a taste - too bitter? Add a little sugar. Not rich enough? Add more unsweetened cocoa powder. Stir in vanilla extract or vanilla bean sugar if you like.
Serve with whipped cream or marshmallows. Get yourself a cookie and read a book while watching the weather outside.
Other Warming Drinks and Cookies to Go with Them:
- Hot Mulled Apple Cider
- Orange Hot Chocolate
- Scandinavian Mulled Red Wine
- Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies
- Norwegian Christmas Men Cookies
- Crispy Fluffy Doughnuts (my fave with hot chocolate!!)
Hope you now see the beauty of cold and rainy days, and of course snowy, silent days. Enjoy this warming rich and decadent hot chocolate and let me know what you think! Either in the comment section below, or tag me @thegingerwithspice on Instagram. I've also just been featured on Feedspot's Top 300 Food Blogs! Be sure to check it out. 🙂
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Warming Rich and Decadent Hot Chocolate
Nothing beats a Warming Rich and Decadent Hot Chocolate on a cold winter day. It may be dark and cold outside, but holding that warm cup, sipping the liquid gold, everything is just better.
Ingredients
- 150 g dark chocolate, 5 oz
- 1 liter milk, preferably whole milk. 4 cups
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, more or less to taste
- 1 tablespoon sugar, more or less to taste, optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, or vanilla bean sugar, optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, on low heat, stir the dark chocolate with milk. Once it's melted, add in the rest of your ingredients and increase temperature to medium and whisk until it starts to simmer around the edges.
- I'd suggest adding 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder, give it a taste - too bitter? Add a little sugar. Not rich enough? Add more unsweetened cocoa powder. Stir in vanilla extract or vanilla bean sugar if you like. Warm up, but not boil.
- Serve with whipped cream or marshmallows, if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Amount Per Serving: Calories: 350Total Fat: 16.8gSaturated Fat: 11.2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 152mgCarbohydrates: 39.6gFiber: 2.2gSugar: 34.1gProtein: 11.9g
Nutrition information isn't always accurate, estimate for informational purposes only.
Alexis
Monday 12th of November 2018
Oh, I want to make hot chocolate this afternoon while it's cold and rainy outside. I think I have everything for this recipe, so yummy!
Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice
Friday 16th of November 2018
Go ahead! This is my go to hot chocolate, and now I am just waiting for that cold and rainy day.. Thanks Alexis!
Stephanie Simmons
Friday 9th of November 2018
Your photos are killing me - they are STUNNING! I can't wait to make some of this rich hot chocolate goodness!
Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice
Saturday 10th of November 2018
Thank you so much, Stephanie! I was rather happy with this set of photos. Finally got a person to be my hand model haha. Hope you'll like it!
Chef Mireille
Thursday 8th of November 2018
WOW - with both chococlate and cocoa powder that is one thick and rich bowl of hot chocolate - ooh I could dive into that one!
Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice
Thursday 8th of November 2018
I love my hot chocolate rich and chocolatey. Thank you so much, let's dive into it!
Linda
Sunday 4th of November 2018
Oh my....can I have a big pot to myself? I love hot chocolate and my favorite includes Baileys; however yours sound so good and I love the combination of dark chocolate and milk chocolate.
Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice
Monday 5th of November 2018
Oh yes you can! I have a tendency to drink half of this recipe myself, then save the rest for the next day - whoops. :) Adding Baileys is also super delicious, and a little coffee!
Anna Hettick
Sunday 4th of November 2018
Hot chocolate is my daughter's favorite drink in the winter. I love making it at home versus the store-bought pre-packed kind. This recipe looks amazing!
Stine Mari | Ginger with Spice
Monday 5th of November 2018
Now I only use the store-bought when I'm out hiking or cross-country skiing, it's just too easy and much better to make yourself! Thank you very much, Anna.