Hot Chocolate Variations

General steps for all recipes:

1. Combine flavoring ingredients (such chocolate, coffee or orange) in a large bowl.

2. Heat the milk/cream combination to just barely boiling in a large pot.

3. Carefully pour the hot liquid into the ingredient bowl and whisk until well blended. Pouring the milk into the chocolate instead of the other way around avoids burning the milk or ingredients.

4. You can vary the richness of the drink by the amount of cream you use in the recipes. Use cream, half-and-half, or whole milk exclusively, or mix two in equal amounts.

Peanut Butter Cocoa

Ingredients:

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
16 oz. whole milk
16 oz. half-and-half

Orange Mocha

Ingredients:

1 cup milk-chocolate chips
16 oz. whole milk
16 oz. half and half
3 tsp. instant espresso granules (or strong dark roast coffee)*
1/4 cup orange juice concentrate

* Note: If you can't find instant coffee granules in a strong flavor, brew some coffee and use in place of the crystals. Do not use regular grinds--the instant granules dissolve immediately in hot water and grinds won't.

Mint-White Chocolate

Ingredients:

6 oz. or 1 cup white-chocolate chips
16 oz. whole milk
16 oz. half-and-half
2 tsp. peppermint extract or several drops peppermint oil

* Note: Add extract after the milk and chocolate have been mixed together.

Glasses Garnish

• Try different shapes of glasses for your hot cocoa--mugs, martini glasses, demitasse cups or brandy snifters, for example.