Santa Hot Chocolate 2011



I'm re-posting this recipe to send good cheer to all my faithful readers this Christmas Season! Surprisingly, this post has been my most visited over the past year.

SANTA HOT CHOCOLATE with Cinnamon Cream

This recipe is highly classified!! Be warned...it is the REAL DEAL!





Santa Hot Chocolate 2011

Santa Hot Chocolate 2010

During the Christmas Season my family enjoys a rich and diverse set of Holiday traditions and almost all of them involve food! Santa Hot Chocolate is at the top of the list!

This perfect cup of sipping chocolate is served to Santa by his beautiful wife Mrs. Clause, right before he heads out on his sleigh Christmas Eve. Pumped high with adrenaline and coco flavanols, Santa sets out into the night to deliver toys to good little girls and boys.

Santa Hot Chocolate is filled with magic and can turn any Grinch into a cuddly teddy bear!

Now you might ask how I came by this classified recipe....

On a strict diet of candy canes and hot chocolate, there was one tiny elf willing to give up the recipe just to get a Big Mac, biggie sized meal with a giant cup of Coke! It's not pretty, but everyone has their price!!

To begin, there's a certain etiquette that must be followed when drinking Santa Hot Chocolate.  Then and only then, will the magic happen.

Santa has a very special mug from which he drinks this magical concoction. His body is accustom to the heavy dose of Christmas Spirit held in each mug, so he is able to drink large quantities in just one sitting.   On the other hand, mere mortals such as ourselves must take the chocolaty richness in smaller doses.

The first requirement is that you must have the correct size cup and saucer.  Nothing more than a 4 ounce cup and a matching saucer. will do. 

Above, you'll see my youngest daughters set of sipping cups. Both of my daughters received her own set of sipping cups to carry this magical tradition onto the next generations.  A time honored right of passage in our family.

Secondly, only a cinnamon stick or candy cane may be used to stir the chocolate, that's where the magic begins...

Lastly, never gulp or "shoot" the chocolate!!  It can be very dangerous to someone not accustom to the REAL DEAL!! Sip the chocolate like a fine aged brandy and linger in the moment of Christmas cheer!

Recipe:

2 cups table cream (1/2 & 1/2)
1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder (I use Dove but any good brand will suffice)
1/3 cup milk chocolate chips
2 sticks cinnamon or 1 teaspoon ground (extra for garnish)
pinch sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


In a heavy sauce pan heat table cream and 1 cup whipping cream on medium heat, bring to a simmer, do not boil.  Stir in 1/2 cup sugar until dissolved, add the cocoa powder and whisk until mixed thoroughly, add the chocolate chips and stir until melted, add salt and 2 cinnamon sticks and simmer for 5 minutes.


Cinnamon Cream

Using remaining 1/2 cup heavy whip cream, blend with a hand mixer until whipped into soft peaks, add 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground cinnamon, vanilla and stir


Serve chocolate in sipping cups with a cinnamon or peppermint stick for stirring, add a small dollop of cinnamon cream and grate fresh cinnamon over the top...


Finally, be prepared for a magical experience!!

♥I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year♥