A rich and creamy hot chocolate
Canadian winters were one of the most vivid parts of our childhood. For readers who live where the weather is consistently warm, rainy, foggy, or windy but rarely snowy, picture a landscape entirely covered in bright white snow. The light reflecting off it can be so intense that, at certain times of day, looking straight at it feels like a small shock to your eyes.
As children we learned quickly that snow comes in many textures. Fresh, powdery snow is perfect for tumbling backward into to make a snow angel, arms and legs flung wide as you watch flakes drift down around you. There are the large, delicate snowflakes that land on your eyelashes and melt on your tongue when you stick it out to taste the winter. Then there is the wetter, heavier snow—ideal for building a snowman, packing sturdy snowballs, and creating a snow fort. Few things compare to spending hours shaping a fort with friends and then spending hours more launching friendly attacks against neighborhood rivals with perfectly formed snowballs.
Our parents, who grew up in Greece where snow occurred but much less often, always made sure we were warm and comfortable. They didn’t mind us staying outdoors all day—unless it was extremely cold—and they bundled us in layers to protect us from the elements. On the street, children were recognizable only by their snowsuits, hats, and scarves: snow pants, insulated jackets, heavy boots, gloves, knitted hats, and long scarves wrapped to cover the mouth, nose, and forehead. When all that gear was on, only the eyes were visible—eager and ready for the next outdoor adventure.
Coming back inside after hours of play was a ritual. Our mother would take off our boots at the door and lead us to the bathtub, where she would peel off the outer layers while we stood in the tub. Chunks of snow would fall into the tub as she unzipped snowsuits and shook out scarves. Wet gear would be hung up to dry over the curtain rod, and mittens, gloves, and scarves would be placed on the apartment radiator to warm. She would prepare a small cushion for us to sit on in the hallway, warm and cozy, while she made our hot chocolate in the kitchen.
While she worked, we would chatter about the day’s victories: our snowman was the largest on the block, we invited the new kid to play, we found a lost mitten, and we couldn’t wait to go out again tomorrow. The hot chocolate arrived as a welcome interruption to our stories. We would pause only long enough to sip and savor the rich, thick drink before resuming our excited recounting.
How to make the best hot chocolate.
Our mother sometimes used cocoa powder or a commercial hot chocolate mix, but the most memorable cups were always made with real chunks of milk chocolate. Any good-quality chocolate will work—milk chocolate for a sweeter, creamier cup, or dark chocolate for a more intense, less sweet version. In our home, Greek milk chocolate was often used, which gave the drink a familiar, comforting flavor.
The key to the creamiest hot chocolate is gentle, even heating. Heat the milk slowly so the chocolate has time to melt fully without scalding the milk. If you have a thermometer, aim for about 180°F (82°C). If you don’t, look for small bubbles forming around the edges of the pot—this is a sign the milk is hot enough. Remove the pot from the heat and stir until the chocolate is completely incorporated, creating a smooth, glossy drink.
Love hot chocolate and looking for more warm drinks? Try these:
Chamomile tea
Greek mountain tea
Milk and coffee
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Hot chocolate
Equipment
- Whisk
- Thermometer (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250 mL) whole milk (see note)
- 3 ounces chocolate (milk or dark, chopped)
- 2 marshmallows, optional for topping
Instructions
- Chop the chocolate into small pieces. Place the milk and chopped chocolate in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk continuously as the milk warms. Heat until the milk reaches a scalding temperature—about 180°F (82°C)—or until you see bubbles forming around the edge of the pot. Remove from the heat and stir until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is silky and smooth.
- Pour the hot chocolate into a mug. Top with marshmallows and a little grated chocolate if you like. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 74 g |
Protein: 11 g |
Fat: 37 g