Chef Kate’s Hot Chocolate: From Ordinary to Extraordinary

An ordinary December day, kids coming home from school; the snow swirls in as they burst through the door with their red noses. Excited voices all at once fill the kitchen and gloves and boots fly off as fast as little fingers can untangle the ice-covered laces. Jackets pile in the corner while steaming mugs of cocoa come off the stove and tiny hands wrap around their warmth. 

There is just something so comforting about a cup of hot chocolate.

Then the years pass, and the welcoming cups that hold dear memories of our youth lay in wait.

A special night arrives — my family and my closest friends will brave the cold and snow of winter. Gone is the youthful excitement of running in from the cold to a cup of hot chocolate. The jackets are now neatly hung with care. The click of heels beats with the soft music from another room. I offer the first cup of hot chocolate…

Set with care and glitz, the table sparkles. Jars of marshmallows and whipped cream overflow their cups; cinnamon sticks and peppermint canes replace ordinary stirrers. Add a little caramel or dark chocolate to your liking… An extraordinary hot chocolate bar awaits.

Try Chef Kate’s from-scratch recipe:

• 3 cups Milk
• 1.5 cups Heavy whipping cream
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• ¾ to 1 cup white sugar (adjust for level of sweetness)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• Mini Marshmallows… AS MANY AS DESIRED!

Place all ingredients into a sauce pot. Turn on a medium flame, (hot flame will scorch the milk). Whisk until fully blended. Heat to desired temperature (DO NOT BOIL)

Take a package of instant hot cocoa mix to the next level:
Replace ¼ of needed water with Heavy Cream. Add a drop of vanilla per cup. Add extra mixture for desired chocolate flavor