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As mid-afternoon settled on our snowed-in Saturday, I started to go a little stir-crazy. I love being snowed in, but after a few bad action movies, frantic cleaning sprees and repeated requests to make something to eat every five minutes from a turkey-loving husband, cabin fever begins to set in.
I joked that this day was excellent practice for when I have kids—I’d clearly be prepared for constant interruptions.
I decided to recreate one of my favorite Starbucks drinks to warm up while watching the snow fall outside.
On top of being cozy, I needed something to soothe the edges of my newlywed bliss. I knew a little indulgence and a few of my favorite ingredients would do the trick.
I don’t like to play favorites, but when it came down to chocolates, three was a crowd. I chose the Godiva white chocolate and set the others aside—no waste, just saved for another treat.
One weakness I happily own is fresh whipped cream. I can whip an entire carton and eat it by the spoonful, especially once it’s sweetened.
I knew a generous dollop of whipped cream would finish the hot chocolate perfectly.
The balance of sweet and salty is one of my favorite flavor combinations. Adding whipped cream, then dusting the drink with cocoa and a touch of cinnamon, made this version irresistible.
Salted Hot Chocolate
adapted from allrecipes
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder (I used Trader Joe’s organic cocoa)
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/3 cup boiling water
- 3 1/2 cups milk
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped with 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 cup Godiva or Bailey’s liqueur (optional)
Instructions:
Combine the cocoa and sugar in a saucepan, then blend in the boiling water. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring, then simmer and stir for about 2 minutes, taking care not to let it scorch. Stir in the milk and heat until very hot but do not boil.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla, sea salt and liqueur if using. Divide the hot chocolate between four mugs. Top each mug with a generous spoonful of whipped cream to cool it slightly for drinking. Finish with a sprinkle of cocoa and a dash of cinnamon.
My husband didn’t have any—he’s not a big fan of hot drinks unless they involve rum. That left more for me, which was just fine.
Warm, salty, and rich, this salted hot chocolate is the kind of treat that makes being snowed in feel downright celebratory.