Milk Chocolate and Orange Cocoa

This Orange hot chocolate reminds me of the first time I was introduced to the Milk Chocolate Orange. I mean how cute is this! Each perfect little wedge of orange flavored chocolate...how can you resist!

I found that one of the only times I could really find the Chocolate Orange was at Christmas. Well, now I can have those same delicious flavors anytime I want with this recipe!

Milk Chocolate and Orange Cocoa

Ingredients:

1/3 cup whipping cream, chilled

1 teaspoon brown sugar

4 1/2 cups whole milk

zest from 4 large oranges

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

9 oz milk chocolate, finely chopped

Directions:

Whip cream with brown sugar until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate. MIx milk with zest from oranges in a saucepan and heat to a simmer. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 30 minutes. Strain zest from the mixture and bring liquid to a simmer. Stir in cocoa powder and chocolate, whisking until smooth. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream mixture.

Banana Hot Chocolate

This recipe reminds me of Great America Theme Park. Why you ask, well let me tell you. Every time my parents took my sister and I to Great America my sister would insist on getting a chocolate covered banana. Oh how I used to cringe at the idea of chocolate and bananas!! Who could eat that!!! Well, that's what I used to say anyway. Kinda how I used to feel about asparagus and now look at me, I'm like an asparagus fiend! 

I am proud to say that I have changed my ways, bananas and chocolate do work! Who would have thought?! And oh how they work in this recipe....mouthwatering! So this one is for all of you chocolate covered banana lovers out there!!

Banana Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

2 cups cream

1 cup whole milk

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

2 ripe bananas

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

whipped cream

marshmallows

Directions:

In a saucepan combine cream, milk, and sugar until hot, be sure NOT to let it boil. Add chocolate and heat to simmer. Stir until chocolate is melted. Puree the bananas and cinnamon together. After pureed, heat in microwave for 15 seconds and then stir into hot chocolate mixture. Pour into mugs and garnish with whipped cream, marshmallows and banana slices.

Brown Sugar Hot Chocolate

I love brown sugar and am always tempted to indulge myself with a spoonful now and then. For anyone who might have just cringed, don't worry, I don't actually eat spoonfuls of brown sugar.....but someday I just might try it :) In fact most of my cookie recipes I like to swap out regular granulated sugar for brown...or at least sneak a little in. And this is why I love this hot chocolate recipe so much, its got brown sugar and its a keeper!

Brown Sugar Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

3 oz unsweetened chocolate

1/3 cup water

4 cups whole milk

3/4 cups brown sugar,  packed

1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Melt chocolate and water together in a double boiler. Slowly stir in milk, sugar and salt. Whisk until blended. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of brown sugar.