Brandied Hot Chocolate
From the kitchen of CarlySilky dark chocolate meets cream and a brandy kick in this luxe hot chocolate. Cornstarch gives it body without heaviness. Rich enough for sipping slowly on cold nights, elegant enough for company.
- Prep
- n/a
- Cook
- n/a
- Total
- n/a
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- medium
Ingredients
4 servings
- 12 teaspoons cornstarch
- 11 1/2 cups whole milk
- 11/2 cup water
- 110 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), finely chopped
- 11/2 cup heavy cream
- 11 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)
- 12 tablespoons brandy (optional)
- 1or to taste
Instructions
Whisk together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons milk.
Bring water to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, then reduce heat to moderately low and add chopped chocolate and a pinch of salt, whisking until smooth.
Add cream and remaining milk (1 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons) and increase heat to moderate, then cook, whisking occasionally, until mixture is smooth and heated through. Taste; for a deeper chocolate flavor, whisk in cocoa.
Whisk cornstarch mixture, then add half to chocolate mixture and simmer, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Add brandy (if using) and remaining cornstarch mixture to thicken if desired, then simmer, whisking, 1 minute.