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Hot Chocolate Mix

Source of Recipe

"The Complete Autumn and Winter Cookbook" by America's Test Kitchen


Recipe Introduction

"A steaming mug of hot chocolate is bliss on a cold day and the perfect beverage for sipping on a cozy night in with a book. Preparing a homemade mix ahead of time means that at a moment's notice you can make yourself a mug of hot chocolate that's deeper and more intensely chocolaty than any version made with a store-bought mix. To this end, we used unsweetened chocolate, not just cocoa powder, in the mix. The cocoa butter in the unsweetened chocolate gave the hot chocolate a lush, not dusty, texture. Whizzing the chocolate in the food processor along with the other mix ingredients broke it up into tiny pieces that melted instantly when stirred into hot milk. If giving this mix as a gift, be sure to include the instructions for making the hot chocolate. You can use skim milk to make the hot chocolate, but the hot chocolate will not be as rich."

List of Ingredients

Hot Chocolate Mix:
◦ 1 cup sugar
◦ 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped fine
◦ 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
◦ � cup nonfat dry milk powder
◦ 5 teaspoons cornstarch
◦ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
◦ � teaspoon kosher salt

Hot Chocolate:
◦ 1 cup milk
◦ � cup Hot Chocolate Mix
◦ Whipped cream (optional)
◦ Marshmallows (optional)


Recipe

For the Hot Chocolate Mix: Process all ingredients in food processor until ground to powder, 30 to 60 seconds. Transfer to airtight storage container. (Mix can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 months.)

To make one serving of hot chocolate: Heat milk in small saucepan over medium heat until it starts to steam and bubbles appear around edge of saucepan. Add hot chocolate mix and continue to heat, whisking constantly, until mixture is simmering, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour hot chocolate into mug and serve with whipped cream or marshmallows, if desired.

Makes 3 cups mix, enough for twelve 1-cup servings






❧ Variations:

� Malted Hot Chocolate Mix:
Substitute malted milk powder for nonfat dry milk powder and reduce sugar to � cup.

� Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix:
Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, � teaspoon ancho chile powder, and pinch cayenne pepper to processor with other ingredients.

� Mint Hot Chocolate Mix:
Substitute mint extract for vanilla.

� Mocha Hot Chocolate Mix:
Add ⅓ cup instant espresso powder to processor with other ingredients.