Tweetle Dee Design Co.: Hot Cocoa on a Stick

Tuesday

Hot Cocoa on a Stick

Two years ago I had a winter wedding for my son and you can't have a winter wedding without a hot cocoa bar. As I was searching for something fun to add to the bar, I found a recipe for a rich fudgy treat called Hot-Cocoa on a Stick. Turns out it was so easy to make and made the richest hot chocolate I'd ever had. (Ok...I admit I added more than one "stick" to my cup, but that's how I like it!)
It's basically a thick rich square of chocolate, like a piece of smooth rich fudge and after playing around with several different kinds of recipes...I have found my favorite. I love the plain chocolate, but you can change it up by adding different flavorings such as hazelnut, mint, or irish cream. However you like your hot cocoa...there is a Hot Cocoa on a Stick for you!

Hot Cocoa on a Stick

1/2 Cup Heavy Cream One 14 ounce Sweetened Condensed Milk 3 Cups of Dark or Milk Chocolate Chips 4 Ounce Bar of Unsweetened Chocolate , Shaved Vanilla or Flavoring of Choice Wooden Sticks or Lollipop Sticks 8" x 8" Pan Lined with Parchment Paper
Heat the cream and sweetened condensed milk in a pan over medium heat stirring occasionally until it begins steaming. Remove from heat and add the chocolate. Stir and let sit for 10 minutes, then place back on the medium to low heat and whisk until the chocolate is completely smooth and silky. Add flavoring of your choice.
Pour chocolate into parchment lined pan. Spread as level as possible and let sit for 10 to 12 hours.
Remove chocolate from pan and place upside down on a cutting board. Using a long thin knife cut the chocolate blocks into 1" square pieces. Tip - Heat the knife in hot water and dry before every few cuts to get a smooth line.
To finish off your Hot Cocoa on a Stick, add marshmallows, Swedish pearl sugar, crushed peppermints, candies or any other treat you like in your cocoa. Add a stick or wooden spoon to the top and dust the bottom of each piece with a little cocoa powder. I like to place the squares in mini-cupcake wrappers to keep them protected.
These Hot Cocoa on a Stick squares make great gifts too. Just wrap them in cellophane bags and tie off with a ribbon and they are ready to go. This recipe makes 36 squares.
To use your hot cocoa on a stick, heat warm milk and cream at a ratio of 3 to 1 and stir until melted! One stick will be good for 6 to 8 ounces of hot cocoa. You can make these treats ahead of time and refrigerate for up to two weeks.
To top off the perfect cup of cocoa you have to have whipped cream and marshmallows and why settle for store bought marshmallows when you can make your own. There are a lot of things I skimp on but homemade marshmallows are too easy and yummy...and fun to make with kids. I am sharing the Barefoot Contessa Homemade Marshmallows recipe. I promise they are worth it!