Decadent Hot Chocolate

Decadent Hot Chocolate

There is nothing better than a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day. I wanted to make hot chocolate a bit more interesting. The basic hot cocoa recipe will remain the same but we can definitely jazz it up a bit. I find that rimming a glass mug with peppermint, crumbled cookies or graham crackers is always a great way to fancy up hot chocolate. This can also be done ahead of time so all you have to do is make the hot chocolate. Rim the mug with graham cracker crumbs, pour in hot chocolate, add marshmallows and use a torch to ignite the marshmallows and you have my version of S’mores Hot Chocolate. It is also fun to put out a hot chocolate bar for friends and family. to help themselves. Make the hot chocolate and place in a thermos to keep warm, rim several mugs with various toppings like peppermint, oreo crumbs, graham cracker crumbs, mini M&M’s, etc… Put out cinnamon sticks, peppermint sticks, marshmallows, whipped cream. I also put out Baileys, Kahlua, Brandy and Chambord for the adults to mix in for a grown up hot chocolate. Let your imagination go and have fun with it!

Hot Chocolate
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5 from 2 votes
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Decadent Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Rim

Creamy, rich hot chocolate gets an added kick by rimming the mug with peppermint
Prep Time10 mins
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: hot cocoa, hot chocolate
Servings: 1 person
Calories: 371kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • â…› tsp vanilla
  • pinch salt
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • ½ cup crushed peppermint
  • vanilla frosting

Instructions

  • Rim mug with vanilla frosting
  • Dip mug into crushed peppermint
  • Mix cocoa, sugar, vanilla, salt and milk into a paste
  • Pour in warm milk and stir
  • Top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream if desired

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Sodium: 119mg | Calcium: 309mg | Vitamin A: 836IU | Sugar: 37g | Fiber: 4g | Potassium: 487mg | Cholesterol: 66mg | Calories: 371kcal | Saturated Fat: 12g | Fat: 21g | Protein: 10g | Carbohydrates: 43g | Iron: 2mg

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The Grown-Up Chocolate Cupcake

The Grown-Up Chocolate Cupcake

Ah, the cupcake. A perfectly sized single serving dessert usually eaten as a child. Why should kids have all the fun? I have added coffee, a little spice and some brandy to these cupcakes which make them ideal to serve at your next grown-up dinner or holiday. These cupcakes also work well served bite sized. Just use a 24 cup cupcake tin and reduce baking time in half. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top before serving or some edible gold stars.

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5 from 1 vote
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Spiked Pumpkin Spiced Chocolate Cupcake

Chocolate Cupcake with Brandy Vanilla Frosting
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cupcakes, Spiked Cupcakes, boozy desserts
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Calories: 249kcal

Equipment

  • cupcake pan
  • paper cucake inserts

Ingredients

cupcakes

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3/4 cup boiling water
  • 2 tsp Starbucks instant pumpkin latte OR instant coffee

Frosting

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 tsp Brandy or B&B

Instructions

cupcakes

  • preheat oven to 350
  • Mix dry ingredients in medium bowl
  • add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla and beat for 2 minutes
  • mix coffee or latte and boiling water
  • add to batter and mix with spoon for 3 minutes – batter will be watery
  • fill paper lined cupcake tins half way
  • bake for 20-25 minutes
  • let cool before frosting

Frosting

  • cream butter, vanilla and brandy together
  • add sugar a little at a time
  • if too dry add a tablespoon or two of milk

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupcake | Sodium: 211mg | Calcium: 40mg | Vitamin A: 45IU | Sugar: 37g | Fiber: 1g | Potassium: 97mg | Cholesterol: 15mg | Calories: 249kcal | Saturated Fat: 4g | Fat: 6g | Protein: 3g | Carbohydrates: 48g | Iron: 1mg

Warm Apple Crisp

serves 8

Apple Crisp

This is a family favorite. My kids love to walk into the house when the apple crisp is baking in the oven. It makes the whole house smell delicious. It is the perfect Fall and Winter dessert and is oh so easy….

  • 5 apples – peeled, cored and cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 cup flour
  • 7 tablespoons butter – softened

Preheat oven to 350

Toss apples with cinnamon and place in a buttered baking dish. Mix flour and sugar together and then blend in softened butter. Use a fork to keep mixing until it is crumbly. Sprinkle over apples and bake in oven for 30 minutes until bubbling and starting to brown on top. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.