Description
Tini’s Hot Chocolate is a rich and creamy drink made with whole milk, heavy cream, cocoa powder, bittersweet chocolate, and vanilla bean paste, topped with a refreshing peppermint whipped cream. Perfect for warming up during cold days, this indulgent hot chocolate offers a perfect balance of chocolatey depth and 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 rise, but do not let it simmer.
- Add cocoa powder: Sift in 3 tablespoons cocoa powder into the milk and cream mixture and whisk until fully incorporated.
- Dissolve sugar: Stir in 3 tablespoons granulated sugar until completely dissolved.
- Melt bittersweet chocolate: Add 2 ounces chopped bittersweet chocolate in two parts, stirring after each addition until the chocolate is fully melted.
- Add vanilla: Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste and continue to heat the mixture for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare peppermint whipped cream: In a medium bowl, whip ½ cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste, and ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract with a hand mixer or whisk until soft or stiff peaks form, depending on desired texture.
- Assemble and serve: Pour hot chocolate into mugs and top with the peppermint whipped cream. Optionally, garnish with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or crushed peppermint candy before serving.
Notes
- You can use either unsweetened or Dutch-process cocoa powder according to your preference.
- For softer whipped cream that melts quickly, whip to soft peaks; for piping and slower melting, whip to stiff peaks.
- If bittersweet chocolate is unavailable, use another dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa for depth of flavor.
- Adjust sugar amount to taste for a less sweet or richer beverage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
