As the chill of winter sets in, there’s nothing quite like wrapping your hands around a warm mug of hot chocolate. While traditional cocoa has its charm, the Winter Wonderland White Hot Chocolate offers a delightful twist, combining the creamy sweetness of white chocolate with festive decorations that make it almost too beautiful to drink.
Ingredients
For the Rim:
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon light corn syrup
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- A few drops of blue gel food coloring
- Blue sanding sugar
- White sanding sugar
For the White Hot Chocolate:
- 1½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 oz. white chocolate, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
For the Topping:
- Sweetened whipped cream
- Snowflake sprinkles
- Blue sanding sugar
- White nonpareils
- Powdered sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Rim:
- In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream and corn syrup until it just begins to simmer.
- Pour the mixture over the white chocolate chips in a bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Stir until smooth, then add a few drops of blue gel food coloring and mix until combined.
- Dip the rim of your mugs into the blue ganache, then into a mixture of blue and white sanding sugars.
- Place the mugs in the refrigerator to set.
- Make the White Hot Chocolate:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, heavy cream, chopped white chocolate, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
- Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is simmering. Do not let it boil.
- Pour the hot chocolate into the prepared mugs.
- Add the Toppings:
- Top each mug with a generous amount of sweetened whipped cream.
- Sprinkle with snowflake sprinkles, blue sanding sugar, and white nonpareils.
- For an extra festive touch, dust with powdered sugar to mimic snowfall.
Serving Suggestions
This Winter Wonderland White Hot Chocolate is perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy nights by the fire, or as a special treat during the festive season. Its beautiful presentation makes it a delightful addition to any winter celebration.
Tips
- For a richer flavor, use high-quality white chocolate.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of white chocolate to suit your taste.
- The blue ganache and sanding sugar rim are optional but add a whimsical, wintery touch to the presentation.
Enjoy this delightful beverage as you embrace the magic of the winter season!
Recipe adapted from Queenslee Appétit.