Hot chocolate is the winter drink of excellence and home-made chocolate is the best ever. This article illustrates two different methods of making hot chocolate without using the classic sachet preparations.
Ingrediants
Hot Chocolate Prepared with the Microwave
- Milk
- Sugar or stevia
- Cocoa powder
- Waterfall
Hot Chocolate Prepared with Boiling Water
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
- 4 teaspoons of sugar
- 250 ml of boiling water
- 1/4 teaspoon butter or margarine (if you want to make the chocolate richer)
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Making Hot Chocolate Using the Microwave Oven
Step 1. Evaluate the capacity of the cup
A common cup generally has a capacity of 250ml, but there are some smaller ones that can only hold 200ml of liquid, while others are even more capacious.
Step 2. Pour a spoonful of sugar into the cup
Step 3. Measure a generous teaspoon of cocoa powder and pour it into the cup
You can use more if needed in the future, but it's best to start with this amount for the first time.
Step 4. Add two teaspoons of water
At this point you have to dissolve the cocoa and sugar, that is, you have to dissolve them in the water by mixing. Start by stirring the ingredients with the spoon until all the cocoa powder is moistened. Getting wet will change its appearance, so it's easy to tell when it's totally wet. If necessary, add a few more drops of water so that it is evenly wet.
Step 5. Add a generous finger of milk, then start mixing again
When the mixture in the cup has a smooth appearance and consistency, add more milk, until the cup is almost full. As liquids are heated, they will increase in volume, so it is important that there is enough space in the cup to prevent them from overflowing.
Step 6. Put the cup in the microwave
- If the cup capacity is 200ml, cook the chocolate on maximum power for 1 minute 45 seconds.
- If the cup capacity is 250ml, cook the chocolate on maximum power for 2 minutes and 10 seconds.
- If you have time, you can get even better results by cooking the chocolate in a double boiler on the stove.
Step 7. Don't lose sight of the cup for the last 20 seconds
As the milk is heated, it will froth, so the chocolate may overflow. For this reason it is best to spend the last 20 seconds near the oven. If you see the foam rising, open the door and stir the chocolate. Take the spoon back (to prevent sparks from forming in the oven), close the door and finish cooking.
Step 8. Enjoy your homemade hot chocolate
Method 2 of 3: Make Hot Chocolate with Boiling Water
Step 1. Assemble the ingredients before starting
Step 2. Boil the water
While you wait for it to boil, pour the cocoa and sugar into the cup.
Step 3. Add the boiling water and other ingredients
Stir until they are all perfectly blended.
Step 4. Add a quarter of a teaspoon of butter for an even richer texture and taste
Stir until the butter has melted completely. If you prefer, you can use margarine.
Step 5. Serve the hot chocolate immediately
Enjoy its delicious taste while filling up on antioxidants.
Method 3 of 3: Add Decorations
Step 1. Take a cue from these ideas for decorating your homemade hot chocolate
If you want to make it even more inviting and greedy, you can:
- Sprinkle it with a pinch of cinnamon or some other bitter cocoa.
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Add a puff of whipped cream, some marshmallows and some chocolate chips. If you find that you have used too much cocoa powder, add some milk.
There is a vegan version of marshmallows, you can buy them online and in the most well-stocked organic and natural food stores
- If it's winter but you are in front of the fireplace, you can add a scoop of ice cream.
- Chocolate goes well with both mint and chilli, you can do several tests to brighten up cold days.
Advice
- Try replacing some of the milk with coffee. If you want, you can also add a pinch of cinnamon and cayenne pepper for a Mayan-style hot chocolate.
- Vegetarians and vegans can use soy, rice, oat, or other plant-based milk instead of traditional milk. Soy milk is also available flavored with vanilla.
- Don't use sugar if you want to savor the intense bitter taste of cocoa. At first, the degree of bitterness may seem excessive, but over time you will learn to grasp other nuances and appreciate their complexity.
- If, according to your palate, the amount of cocoa is insufficient, add more.
- According to some, it is better to pour boiling water directly over the cocoa and add the milk only afterwards to avoid altering its flavor due to the high temperature. It is a personal choice as not all people are able to perceive the difference. Remember to mix well, however, no matter how you decide to add the milk or water.
- Most of the antioxidants in chocolate come from cocoa, so enjoy your drink guilt-free.
- If you want to use the microwave, you can save some time by heating the milk (or water) as you begin to dissolve the cocoa. Milk on its own is unlikely to spill out of the cup as you heat it in the microwave, plus cocoa and sugar will dissolve more easily in hot milk.
- If you have trouble making chocolate with the first method (but you shouldn't), you can pour two-thirds of the milk into a cup, heat it in the microwave for about 45 seconds, add 2 or 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder and stir until it did not dissolve completely. At that point, just cook the chocolate in the microwave for about a minute.
Warnings
- Remove the spoon from the cup before putting it in the microwave.
- Be careful when pouring boiling water.
- If you have decided to use the microwave, do not exceed the recommended times and do not lose sight of the cup during the last 20 seconds.
- The cup must be made of glass or porcelain to be able to put it in the microwave.
- Be very careful when it's time to take your first sip, the chocolate may be hot.
- If you are lactose intolerant, you can use soy, almond or high digestible lactose free milk.
