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Hot Chocolate ~ Two Ways

Prep Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Author Alton Brown & Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Ingredients

Hot Cocoa Mix:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup cocoa Dutch-processed preferred
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper or more to taste, optional

Hot Chocolate Truffle Balls:

  • 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips about 2 cups
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon sugar optional
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Hot Cocoa Mix:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and incorporate evenly.
  2. *For gifting: Attach a tag that says, “For the perfect cup of cocoa, fill your mug half full with mix and top with hot water to fill mug. Stir and enjoy!”

Hot Chocolate Truffle Balls:

  1. In a medium bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Microwave for 1 minutes intervals, stirring often, until the mixture is combined and very smooth and silky. When you first start stirring, after the first minute or so, you’ll wonder if this mixture will ever come together. It will look grainy and messy, but after it heats thoroughly and is whisked to combine, it will magically become beautifully smooth. Be careful not to overheat as the chocolate can seize. The trick is to stir often since the mixture will blend together even when it look like the chocolate chips haven’t melted completely.
  2. Let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes at room temperature. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until the ganache mixture is firm and scoopable, about 2-3 hours.
  3. Scoop out about 1/4 cup spoonfuls of the mixture and place them on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and let the mounds harden slightly, about 15-20 minutes. Roll the chilled mounds into balls and place on squares of plastic wrap (4″ x 4″). Pull the sides of the plastic wrap over to cover the ball and place the balls in the freezer until ready to use.
  4. Instructions for gifting: Pour 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups milk into a mug. Carefully drop one unwrapped truffle ball in the milk. Microwave for about 2 minutes. Stir well until the chocolate is combine with the milk. Serve nice and warm!