Pioneer Womans Hot Chocolate Slightly Modified Recipes

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

Steps:

• In a large bowl, sift the confectioner's sugar, then the unsweetened cocoa, to get rid of any lumps.
• Stir in the powdered milk, and whisk well until everything is combined.
• Add mini marshmallows to the container, if desired. This can be kept in the pantry for 6 months.

HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

Steps:

• Using a funnel and four 4-ounce mason jars, layer the ingredients in each jar as follows: 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, a pinch salt, 2 tablespoons cocoa, 2 tablespoons instant dried milk, 1 tablespoon shaved semisweet chocolate and 12 mini marshmallows. Seal the jars.
• To serve: Tip the hot chocolate mix from 1 jar into a mug and top up with 1 cup boiling water. Mix.

SLOW-COOKER HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Add the milk, cream, cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a 6-quart slow cooker. Whisk until combined and the cocoa is dissolved. Stir in the chopped chocolate.
• Cover and cook on low, whisking every 30 minutes, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is hot, about 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Ladle into mugs and top as desired with either some marshmallows or whipped cream sprinkled with crushed candy canes, or drizzled with caramel sauce.

PIONEER WOMAN'S MOCHA BROWNIES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick baking spray.
• 2. For the brownie batter: Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second increments, being careful not to let it burn. Set it aside to cool slightly.
• 3. In a medium mixing bowl, cream the butter and granulated sugar. Beat in the eggs. With the mixer on low speed, drizzle in the melted chocolate. Add the vanilla extract and mix. Add the flour to the bowl and mix just until combined; do not over mix.
• 4. Pour the batter in the prepared baking pan. Spread it to even out the surface. Bake until the center is no longer soft, 40 to 45 minutes. Set the brownies aside to cool completely before icing.
• 5. For the icing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla. Mix until slightly combined, then add 1/2 cup of the coffee. Whip until the icing is light and fluffy. If the icing is overly thick, add 1/4 cup more coffee. It should be very light and fluffy.
• 6. Ice the cooled brownies, spreading the icing on thick. Refrigerate until the icing is firm, and then slice the brownies into VERY SMALL squares. A little goes a long way!

DELICIOUS HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• To make the basic hot chocolate, combine the milk with the half-and-half in a small saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, and then stir in the chocolate chips. Stir until melted (though there will still be lovely particles of chocolate throughout). If it's too chocolaty for you, splash in a little more milk. Add a splash of vanilla extract. If it's not quite sweet enough for you, add 1 teaspoon or so of sugar. Serve in mugs with whipped cream.

FANCY HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• For the chocolate decorations: Put the melted chocolate into a pastry bag and snip off a tiny hole at the tip. Pipe lacy chocolate designs--just larger than the tea cups you're using--onto a baking mat or piece of parchment paper. Allow to set completely.
• For the hot chocolate: Combine the milk and half-and-half in a small saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, then stir in the bittersweet and semisweet chocolate chips, sugar and vanilla, heating until melted and combined. Transfer the mixture to a teapot.
• To serve: place a lacy chocolate piece over each tea cup and pour over the hot chocolate. When the chocolate has melted into the cup, top with the whipped cream and enjoy.

PIONEER WOMAN'S HOT CHOCOLATE, SLIGHTLY MODIFIED

Steps:

• Warm the milk in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. .
• Stir in chocolate chips. Stir until melted ("though there will still be lovely particles of chocolate throughout," the Pioneer Woman's words, not mine.).
• If it's too chocolatey for you, splash in a little more milk. If it's not quite sweet enough for you, add 1 teaspoon sugar (I added the sugar).
• Serve in mugs, and it should be rich and creamy, and perhaps even better with whipped cream and/or marshmallows.