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Almost nothing beats a warm cup of hot cocoa on a cold, frosty day. That perfect blend of milk, chocolate, and maybe even some marshmallows or festive peppermint flavoring makes everything feel better. But sometimes the chocolate just isn’t chocolate-ing enough. Or, you want a richer chocolate flavor. Enter: dark chocolate. Now, there’s an easy way to do this and a slightly more do-it-yourself method. For the simpler version, just add some of your favorite dark cocoa powder, such as Ghirardelli’s Sweet Ground Dark Chocolate Powder or King Arthur’s Double Dark Cocoa Powder Blend, to a cocoa powder mix.
Simply measure the extra powder with your heart (aka to taste) — though you may want to start with less, as you can always add more, and it’ll be pretty much impossible to remove it if you go overboard. The other method is also relatively straightforward, but instead of using a package of hot cocoa mix, you’ll make dark hot chocolate from scratch (it’s not hard, we promise).
There are lots of recipes online, but generally you’ll need a saucepan, whatever milk you prefer, and dark chocolate pieces, which can either be chips or a chopped-up bar. To make the beverage, heat milk in a pan until it’s warm (not scalding), then gradually add in your small pieces of dark chocolate. Whisk until everything is melted and combined. Finally, enjoy your rich dark hot cocoa.
Tips and customizations for truly delectable dark hot chocolate
The dark hot chocolate above is about as simple as it gets. But,if you want an even stronger flavor, or you’re in the mood to experiment, consider adding just a hint of brown sugar before introducing the dark chocolate pieces. Or, you could use some spices, such as cinnamon or cloves, for a more flavorful drink. If it isn’t creamy enough for your taste, you can also add some heavy cream to make a smoother, silkier mix. Another great addition to a dark hot cocoa is warm, frothed milk, added just before serving. Or, you can always go with the classic topping of delicious whipped cream (both of which will also help make the beverage creamier, FYI).
Of course, marshmallows are always a great option to instantly make any hot chocolate more delicious, but there are so many creative toppings for hot chocolate beyond just marshmallows, including caramel and spices like chili powder (Mexican hot chocolate, anyone?).
Likewise, flavors as varied as peppermint, hazelnut, caramel, and butterscotch also pair exceptionally well with a dark hot chocolate. If you’re feeling a bit frisky, you could even throw in some of these liquors to give your hot cocoa a boozy upgrade. As always, though, drink responsibly (even when the drink in question is a dark, rich, and delectable hot cocoa).
