Emma Christensen is the General Manager for Simply Recipes, the author of three books on home brewing and a graduate from The Cambridge School for Culinary Arts.
A good cup of hot cocoa on a chilly morning is one of the things I love most this time of year. Marshmallows are not optional.
But I hate those little clumps of dry cocoa that never seem to break apart or dissolve, no matter how much I whisk. So annoying! Happily, our contributor Sally has a solution.
Make a paste with the hot cocoa mix and one or two tablespoons of the milk. Make sure all the cocoa mix is moistened, and then stir in the rest of the milk.
Since it's already moistened, the cocoa mix will dissolve evenly into the milk. No dry clumps.
Make a paste with the hot cocoa mix and one or two tablespoons of the milk.Make sure all the cocoa mix is moistened, and then stir in the rest of the milk. Since it's already moistened, the cocoa mix will dissolve evenly into the milk. No dry clumps.
Heat over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent the chocolate from settling and the milk from scalding. 4. Once all of the chocolate is well blended, slightly raise the heat to medium-low. Continue to stir until your beverage reaches the optimal drinking temperature.
So, you can slow down this separation by thickening your milk. One way to do so would be by using a little bit of corn starch. Simply add 1 tsp of corn starch to cold milk. Gently heat the milk until it just comes to a boil.
If you are near an electrical outlet, a coffee pot warmer makes it easy to transfer the delicious beverage from your stove-top to the outdoors. Keep it low, and the temperature will be just right! However, a large thermos container is super handy if you're in a setting with no electricity!
Adding a bit of cornstarch or using hot chocolate mix with added emulsifiers can also help you achieve that silky-smooth texture. Remember, practice makes perfect. So, don't be disheartened if you don't nail it in the first attempt.
Seized chocolate occurs when the chocolate you're melting comes into contact with moisture. Chocolate itself doesn't contain any moisture, so adding a small amount of liquid can disrupt the melting process.
Pour a small amount of the cocoa powder into the sifter and then gently shake it back and forth over the container. These motions will cause the cocoa to shift, sending down fine particles through the mesh. You can also sift cocoa powder without a sifter using a wire whisk.
Place the hot cocoa on one side of the table next to a selection of mugs. Turn the slow cooker (if using) to "keep warm" and set a ladle nearby. If using an urn, set a dish under the spout to collect any drips. Adjacent to the hot cocoa, arrange the toppings in bottles or bowls with spoons and tongs for serving.
Did you know you can make rich, creamy hot chocolate in your slow cooker? It's a great way to keep it warm during a party. Just line with a Reynolds Kitchens™ Slow Cooker Liner to avoid the messy clean up, and enjoy a cozy cup.
Introduction: My name is Terrell Hackett, I am a gleaming, brainy, courageous, helpful, healthy, cooperative, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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